Dead Island PC patch may wipe saves

By Fred Dutton Published 7 September, 2011

But publisher planning a "make up" offer.

Dead Island's day one title update may wipe some of users' save data, thanks to incompatibility issues thrown up by the game's embarrassing PC launch balls-up, the game's publisher has admitted.

A statement from Deep Silver handed to horror site Daily Dead explained that it had done its best to avoid save files being compromised but in some instances players will lose their progress.

"We tried every avenue possible in order to avoid fans having to wipe their saved games… this update may cause incompatibilities between the incorrect version of Dead Island that was released and the fixed version and cause a wipe on saved games. "

However, it went on to offer advice on how to claw back some of your lost data.

"When the game opens, select New Game -> Select the same character as you were using before, and then there will be an option for 'Chapter Select' which will allow the player to jump to the last chapter they were playing in."

The problem initially arose when a ported development build of the game was mistakenly uploaded to Steam. The correct version is now up and ready to download.

Deep Silver is planning a good-will "make up" offer for those affected, with details expected later this week.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (20) Latest comment 9 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • TFM_Excalibur #1 9 months ago

    Well that just tops a complete shambles of release, which is a shame, as the game is rather good..

  • hiverbon #2 9 months ago

    They may have fucked up but they've fixed it quickly and offered reparations, pretty good show if you ask me.

  • X #3 9 months ago

    Is this actually a patch for all three versions of the game or just the PC/Steam version? Haven't noticed any confirmation anywhere.

  • CaptainQuint #4 9 months ago

    They deserve the benefit of the doubt, judging by the largely positive feedback of the game so far.

  • Haloboy #5 9 months ago

    This is without doubt the best game Techland have ever produced. Which makes the release balls up a rather bitter pill to swallow. No more so than for Techland themselves in fact. Just glad things are in motion to get it sorted quick sharp for current owners and those who will own it come tomorrow. So glad I kept my pre-order firm, I knew it would see me right in the end.

  • [TR] #6 9 months ago

    "We tried every avenue possible in order to avoid fans having to wipe their saved games"

    You have to love the spin, there. They're costumers, not fans!
    It's not the end of he world (well, it is in-game), but at least be honest with the people that supported you by buying your product.

  • darkmorgado #7 9 months ago

    After Deus Ex, this is the best game I've played all year by far. Absolutely brilliant, and great fun if you have a coop buddy.

    It's fecking massive as well. Been playing solidly since 4pm and I've only uncovered a tiny fraction of the map.

  • Darksjeik #8 9 months ago

    Dev Island

  • svenjl #9 9 months ago

    Great that they have fallen on their sword and plan to make-up, but how about spending an extra month to release the game without ridiculous bugs?! I don't want a fricking patch, I want a polished game within which I can stomach the odd glitch. It bothers me no end that publishers shorten development time to the point where games go "gold" and then are given week one patches. None of my jobs has ever allowed me to knowingly put in a piece of inferior work and then patch it up afterwards. Get it right the first time, dammit.

  • Inmediasress #10 9 months ago

    Wonderful now there's another half broken game released to the stores.
    I look forward to seeing the industry crumble under its own weight.
    The bigger they get the harder they fall.

  • rockavitch #11 9 months ago

    Last generation I had no problem buying games on day one but now I don't. It's cock ups like this (and it is a cock up whether the game is "great" or not, can't deny that fact) that are the reason I wait until a price drop, at least then it's patched, working and worth the £20 or so I pay for it.

    And you people saying "At least they are admitting it's bad and trying to fix it", shame on you, they are only admitting it because the complaints from "fans" have been so loud that it can't go unnoticed, someone shouldn't be praised for doing half the job they were expected to do.

    Edit: Second paragraphs wording was odd and muddled.
    Edited by rockavitch at 08/09/11 @ 09:34

  • ZizouFC #12 9 months ago

    Div Island

  • amfamaster #13 9 months ago

    absoutely no problem, since most of the ppl didnt even start playing/ just started,i dont see any reason to flame

  • Desheep #14 9 months ago

    Exactly. Why is this a big issue if the only people affected are beta testers, pirates and the odd few that got sent the game too early?

  • Colin8703 #15 9 months ago

    It's sad to say but this game is destined for the bargain bin in the Jan sales.

    I'll pick it up then when it's been patched and is cheaper. The release has been a sham and it seems as though the release was shoved out when it was so that it could stand a chance at retail.

    This Christmas period is exciting for gamers release wise but I feel it's starting to feel it's causing damage.

    So many big titles this year and it makes me wonder how many of them will have day one patches due to un-moveable release dates.

  • Primatori #16 9 months ago

    One thing i have to admire is that Techland are not blaming anyone and not trying to hide anything in relation to this major cock up. They have put their hands up and said yes we know this is a mess but we are dedicated to fixing it and making the game right. They could have easily not bothered releasing a patch on the day of release and have just taken peoples money.

    Kinda reminds me of Toyota and the millions of car recalls last year. They didn't deny anything and said they would fix all of the models, that got my admiration and you know what... I would still buy a Toyota because if it.

    I will be getting this game on Xbox this Friday, and i am looking forward to it.
    Edited by Primatori at 08/09/11 @ 09:48

  • Haloboy #17 9 months ago

    Played the wrongly uploaded dev build for a few hours yesterday and I'm surprised so many people are having issues with it. I had zero. None. Nada. Just had pure fun whacking zombies with anything I could get my hands on and cringing at the way they react to blows. Which may I add the game doesn't.

  • Lord_BeeJee #18 9 months ago

    Can anyone play this already? Retail version registers on steam and that's yet to unlock here.

    //edit - just noticed the warez version has been out for a couple of days so there are some versions playable versions released I guess.
    Edited by Lord_BeeJee at 08/09/11 @ 12:12

  • arcam #19 9 months ago

    @Lord_Beejee

    It was released in the US on Tuesday.

  • Dexter2015 #20 9 months ago

    Only makeup offer they can give... complete refund!