US Launch plagued with server issues

Ubisoft servers not able to handle the US Launch for The Division.

For the start, the game needed patch download of around 3GB in size which worked. As soon as I entered the game, it started with a video then to character creation which ended up crashing. After that the video restarted which I wasn't able to skip. Second time at the character creation screen worked and was able to play the game for about 30 minutes.

At this point the ubisoft website is down, uplay service is not working correctly, and the game keeps trying to connect but stalls and shows a Mike 20170828 error.

More Error Codes

Very disappointing so far to see the issue happening in 2016.

Update:
A screen popped up with "Attention: Due to server errors, your characters are currently locked. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. You can force unlock them and revert back to the previous saved data, but some progress may be lost."

I did a force unlock, and it seems so far I'm back in the game, around 45 mins of downtime.

Data mining tidbits, spoilers

Interesting items found in the game client, use with caution. Perhaps some of the items are coming in the future or something that has been depreciated already and due for deletion.

• A NPC File labeled GUILD VENDOR
• A NPC File with "NPC ann_dlc01_drone_prototype_longrange"
  Note DLC 01, Drone Long Range
• NPC File with  ann_dlc01_shotgunscout, ann_dlc01_rifleman, ann_dlc01_npc_tank_4p, ann_dlc01_heavygunner
• Mention of "SkillScript item_Trap_IED_Delay" traps
• Multiple mentions of a Helicopter
  1. Helicopter_Turret_Info_Tip
  Activate turrets using turret consoles. Activated Turrets target the helicopter and deliver heavy damage.
  2. NPC helicopterSplineFollower / npc_weapon_helicopter_chaingun
  Looks like a mission event where you operate / turn on a turret inside a helicopter.
  Maybe on the ride over from Brooklyn to Manhattan
• Mention of C4, Interaction with a C4 object, prob for a mission
• interact_April_Editorial_skill_mods_set, something coming in April with skill mods?
• "Mech" is listed in NPC types
• Rare Named NPC 'Keyser Söze', also alot of other NPCs with Movie char names. Check Named NPC List for all.
• Under talents shows a gear talent that will help with "Item find" / "Gold find", reminds me of Diablo.
• Alot of files for NPCs with "E3" in the name format, must be left over data from E3 Demos?
• Many files on FireTeams, looks like NPC groups formations for missions possibly or spawns
• File on VehicleEncounter, has a bunch of different phases / stages.
• EasterEgg_tip_WIC_01 - Never forget - When visiting Sweden, never go outside without a loaded rifle. Polar bears are not to be taken lightly
• EasterEgg_tip_WIC_02 - Never forget - Bannon did good
• There is Lockpicking Ranks 1,2,3
• Interesting BOO Perk called Max Security - When a district reaches Max Security, the player earns 1 DZ rank. Kills now award [10]% more credit.
• BOO Perk - All Virus Samples in High 1 are reveled on the map. Collecting all awards 1 Legendary Item.
• BOO Perk - Collecting all Mid1 Virus Samples awards 1 Epic Blueprint + 1 Legendary Blueprint.
• BOO Perk - All Virus Samples in Mid2 are reveled on the map. Collecting all awards 1 Legendary Blueprint.
• BOO Perk - All vendors in MID 1 are now revealed on the map and their prices are 5% lower. 
• Some sort of security for areas system maybe in place - "Repeatable events award 5% more Security" 
• Some PERKS for crafting, while crafting one quality type, small chance to get a boost one quality higher

Launch & Preload

Game launch, Preloading game client date and times has been released.

Ubisoft has just announced preloading and game launch details for Tom Clancy's The Division. Here are all the important times and dates you need to know!

• PC
  
  • Preload: March 3rd at 6PM CET / 9AM PT, on Steam and uPlay.
  • Launch: The game will be available to play on March 8 at 06:01AM CET / 12:01AM EST for both Steam, Uplay. 
• Playstation 4
  
  • Preload: March 6th at 12:01AM local time
  • Launch: The game will be available to play on March 8 at 12:01AM local time in each country timezone 12:01AM EST for the USA, only exception is in Japan where it will be available on March 10 at 12:01AM. 
• Xbox One
  
  • Preload: Now
  • Launch: The game will be available to play on March 8 at 12:01AM EST for the USA and Canada, 12:01AM CET for central Europe.

Phoenix Credit

Phoenix Credits are used to purchase High End gear in "The Division".

How do you get phoenix credits?

1. Certain missions on "Challenge" difficultly.
2. Named Darkzone NPCs 
3. Daily Missions, 2 Hard Modes and 1 Challenge have phoenix credits as bonus rewards.

So far that is what I know for sure, 100%.

There is also a uplay club promotion for The Division which is offering the following for 40 uplay points.

Phoenix Credit Pack
Adds a pack of 30 Phoenix Credits to the Rewards Claim Vendor, use these to purchase high level equipment.

Also will note while data mining the client, there is mention of another larger pack. Its listed as the following in the language translation file.


Phoenix Credit Pack
Unlocks a pack of 1000 Phoenix Credits for use in Tom Clancy's The Division.

No idea how to get the other 1k pack, it maybe a future reward from the uplay club, some other ingame related event or something connected with season pass holders.

Open Beta February 18 to 21st

Open Beta for Tom Clancy's The Division starts February 18th and goes on until the 21st, 2016.

The good news is finally here, open beta is just a couple days away and we get to try out a new storyline mission! Also in this beta testing they have added a anti cheat system to help combat against agents using hacks in the Dark Zone multiplayer areas. All participates in this open beta phase will be rewarded with a special in-game reward which will unlock for players when the full game is released.

 

Open Beta schedule details:

XBox One:

Start

• February 18th
• Thursday 10am CET, 4am EST, 1am PST

End

• February 22nd
• Monday 1pm CET, 7am EST, 4am PST

PS4, PC

Start

• February 19
• Friday 1pm CET, 7am EST, 4am PST

End

• February 22nd
• Monday 1pm CET, 7am EST, 4am PST

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Open Beta F.A.Q.

Question: How do I join the Open Beta?

Answer: This open beta phase is available for all to join on xbox one, ps4 and pc users.

• PC users need to launch Uplay app and then the Division Open Beta will be in your Free Games list.
• PS4 users need to go to the Playstation Store and search for Tom Clancy's The Division Open Beta.
• Xbox One users go to games and search for Tom Clancy's The Division Open Beta.

Question: Will any previous characters and progress from closed beta be available to use during this open beta?

Answer: Full player wipe, you will have to recreate characters and start over. Also note open beta progress and characters will not carry over to the release of the main game.

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The Division open beta patch notes are available here.

Developers on Twitter list

The Division developers, community managers twitter list

A quick list of all known developers and community personal twitter accounts that I managed to find. If you notice any missing please fill free to comment so I can add them to the list!

Community Team

@UbiMiiSTY

@hamishbode

@natchai_

@yannickbch

@gabeelikes

@Mush_xx 

@Ubibooma

Official The Division account
@TheDivisionGame

@Ubisoft

Devs

UI - @craigw1701

Programmer - @adabelletc

Jr Tech LD - @MaxPears


Other

Video game creative manager - @kgoyon

Brand Art Director - @Basura3d

Marketing - @Alex_Gnn

@The_Spier