I recently decided to give SWOTR a go but am hesitant to buy out right and subscribe if I am going to have connectivity issues. While British I do live in China and often have these kinds of issues. I want to see what the lag is like but I cannot even get passed the launcher. I keep getting a login service is unavailable message. Now this was a fresh install (way too quick to be the full game and appears to just be the launcher) and I think I am supposed to be downloading a patch but nothing happens.I use Astrill as my VPN and have tried connecting from the US, New Zealand, Aus and Hong Kong but the same issue persists. I have tried running the launcherrepaire exe and it seem to make no difference. I am stuck in a weird position because I don't want to subscribe until I am sure that it will work but I can't open a support ticket until I subscribe. Could anyone please advise what the next step should be. I have seen online where people have got it to work here but most of those instances don't seem to be fresh installs.

@Bannoy Swtor CS are available here, but i do not think they can assist with this, but I will mention this thread for you when they are online.

Heya @Bannoy, it is sadly as @proxos666 already said. Not much we can assist with as we do not make the rules for china and what they decide to block and allow. There is no support we can give you from our side to circumvent this issue. Using a VPN is not something we can officially support. I am sure, we can refund the subscription for you, if you call in so at least that money is not lost to you. I am sorry. ~Kat

@Bannoy CS will not provide support to play in china , due to the block The only recommendation I have is switch to non streaming launcher per this link , then it is if you can find a VPN that works not all will.

@Bannoy You do not need a subscription to play between level 1 - 50 Your issue is IP blocking , either by China themselves or EA , it doesn't matter which it is as the affect is the same. I believe Biowares official stance is that they do not GEO restrict their game, however it may not mean that China ISPs haven't been banned. Stands to reason if you try to purchase from a blocked IP it will fail to allow it.

@Bannoy Have a read of this thread , may be a year old but may help. EA/Bioware can offer no assistance with getting the game to work via a 3rd party program.

Playing SWOTR in China | EA Forums

15 Replies

EA_Kat
EA Staff
8 years ago
Heya @Bannoy,

it is sadly as @proxos666 already said. Not much we can assist with as we do not make the rules for china and what they decide to block and allow. There is no support we can give you from our side to circumvent this issue. Using a VPN is not something we can officially support.

I am sure, we can refund the subscription for you, if you call in so at least that money is not lost to you. I am sorry.

~Kat
Bannoy
8 years ago
Before giving up on this issue, could I just ask as a hypothetical, what would happen if someone outside of China said if they use a VPN they get a login service unvailable and if they don't use it they get a cannot connect 208 error. What work arounds would you recommend in this situation. I really want this to work and I don't think it is a forgone conclusion as every other game I have had trouble with has eventually worked.
proxos666
Hero+
8 years ago
@Bannoy

login unavailable is a communication error talking to launchpad.swtor.com

208 is usually either a communication error to manifest.swtor.com or cdn-patch.swtor.com

the launcher logs should indicate which.

My only suggestion is try a different VPN maybe strong vpn as an example.
Bannoy
8 years ago
So strongvpn worked, thanks for that. Unfortunately that nearly doubles my monthly subscription but I guess beggars can't be choosers. The problem I am now facing is insanely slow download speeds. I started downloading on Friday and I am at Main Assets 273 with 11.73GB to go. So... how many more things do I have to download before I am done? Was hoping to play by Wednesday night China time.
Also will the nov 8th server downtime prevent downloading?
Thanks
EA_Kipling
EA QV Team
8 years ago
@Bannoy

Usually the order goes: English Video -> Main Assets 1 -> Main Assets [Latest Patch Number] -> Retail Client. So you're on the second to last step. The Retail Client part should only be about 100MB, so hopefully you're not too far off!

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Playing SWOTR in China

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