XP Service Pack 2 to conflict with games

By Benjamin Golze, GameSpotPosted Aug 16, 2004 4:56 pm PT

New built-in firewall software to automatically block access of some popular games to the Internet.

The impending release of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP has prompted Microsoft to reveal a list of programs that may experience problems with the massive update. Included on the rather extensive list are quite a few games, such as Warcraft III and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Microsoft stated that most of the problems are associated with the new built-in Windows firewall, where users must approve programs that attempt to make Internet connections. However, some programs use data pages that the firewall automatically blocks, as they are common attack routes for hackers. A work-around is built into the firewall software, as well as the ability for advanced users to simply turn it off.

The games affected by Service Pack 2 are as follows:

Age of Empires II: Age of Kings
Chess Advantage III: Lego Chess
Combat Flight Simulator 3
Command & Conquer: Generals
Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
Conflict: Desert Storm
Dead Man's Hand
Earth & Beyond
Elite Forces Vietnam: Special Assignment 2
Freedom Force
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne
Medieval Total War
Midnight Outlaw: Illegal Street Drag
Moto Racer
NASCAR Racing 2003
NBA Live 2000
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Roller Coaster Factory
Scrabble
Serious Sam: The Second Encounter
SimCity 4
Star Trek: Starfleet Command III
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Starcraft
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield
Tribes 2
Unreal II
Unreal Tournament 2003
Unreal Tournament Game of the Year Edition
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Collector's Edition

A full list of programs, and the versions affected, is available at Microsoft's Web site. Service Pack 2 will be officially released to XP users via automatic update later this month.

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pathock3
Posted Oct 25, 2006 3:59 pm PT

lol, i like all the people commenting in 2006 hoping it wont affect their gaming, not realizing that it clearly doesnt since microsoft installed it on their computers already over two years ago. check your dates guys.
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NB_Pyro_X
Posted Oct 15, 2006 8:11 am PT

Don't fret: most of these games already have a dev patch on the way to allow the files to mesh properly with windows xp sp2. Also: for older games like Tribes 2 or even Max Payne 2, where the devs have abandoned it, keep an eye out for fanmade patches which work EXCELLENTLY! one place you may need to check out is AdamHearn.co.uk. He's an experienced software dev with a lot of tools and makes patches for older games.
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velvetkloud
Posted Sep 18, 2006 12:53 pm PT

Bugger it all to hell.
I'm more concerned about it affecting my ability to play the hall of mirrors mod for max payne 2.
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Scottman2005
Posted Jul 23, 2006 9:34 am PT

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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comthitnuong
Posted May 30, 2006 9:43 am PT

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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futurestock
Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:17 am PT

nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
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