As of this update, the 1.5gb version is available for download on the Marketplace and it is confirmed to be working. Anyone with the 1.6gb copy should delete it and replace it before this game mysteriously reverts yet again.
This post will therefore be placed entirely in quotation to reflect the current fixed state of the game. Should the Marketplace copy revert again, this edit will be removed.
PrefaceMany years ago, I purchased a Dreamcast and enjoyed its games so much that I wanted to complete them all over again on Xbox 360. To my joy, many of the Dreamcast titles are on Xbox LIVE Arcade! Unfortunately Sonic Adventure, one of my favourite Dreamcast games, has glitchy achievements in the DX DLC. Frustrated by this, I long searched for a resolution to this malady and I have compiled all relevant information here, for everyone, in as succinct a format as I could make. In short, yes, there are work-arounds!
In the hopes of seeing an official, permanent, fix for this game, I encourage everyone who is concerned to go to Sega's support site and file complaints about this issue. The first time it was temporarily fixed was due in part to a high volume of complaints. There's no excuse for their failure to keep the fixed copy up for download; so send them, and Xbox, complaints!
https://segaofamerica.zendesk.com/anonymous_requests/newhttp://support.xbox.com/en-US/contact-us?xr=footnav(Also, if anyone wouldn't mind helping me complete the DX achievements via a work-around that would be awesome. Unfortunately, such a person is difficult to find and the possibility of exploitation is fairly high. Otherwise I would have made a post regarding people who want to help/need help.)
[Table of Contents]I. Game Versions
II. Timeline of Events
III. Known Work-arounds
IV. Disclaimer
V. References
[I. Game Versions](1).
The 1.5gb versionShowed as 1.49gb on the Marketplace. This version will allow all DX achievements to unlock.
(2).
The 1.6gb versionShows as 1.5gb on the Marketplace. This version will not allow DX achievements to unlock.
(3).
The 1.5gb Trial versionShows as 1.49gb on the Marketplace. This version initially unlocked to the full 1.5gb version if purchased through the game. Now, it will only disconnect you from LIVE and re-direct you to download the current 1.6gb version.
(4).
The Dreamcast Collection versionFor the purposes of this post, it will be considered identical to the 1.6gb
(2) version.
[II. Timeline of Events]September 15, 2010:
Sonic Adventure (1.5gb) is placed on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for sale.
February 22, 2011:
The Dreamcast Collection is released for Xbox 360.
February - March, 2011:
The Xbox LIVE Arcade version of Sonic Adventure changes from 1.5gb to 1.6gb. This is
speculated to be the result of replacing the original Marketplace copy with the newly released Dreamcast Collection version of the game.
March, 2011:
Gamers find that the DX achievements are broken. All affected users have the 1.6gb or Dreamcast Collection version of the game.
December 28, 2011:
The "
Xbox 12 Days of Deals: Day 9" places Sonic Adventure and several other Sonic titles on sale. The Xbox LIVE Arcade version of the game changes back from 1.6gb to 1.5gb. All DX achievements work for anyone who downloads the game past this date; and there was much rejoicing.
June 19 - 25, 2012 to Present:
The "
Xbox Live Marketplace Deal of the Week" also known as the "
Sonic 21st Anniversary Sale" changes the Xbox Live Arcade version of Sonic Adventure, yet again, from 1.5gb to 1.6gb. DX achievements no longer work for anyone who downloads the game past this date.
Late June, 2013:
The Marketplace copy of Sonic Adventure has yet again changed in size; back to the 1.5gb version. Confirmed to be the correct version that works with all achievements.
[III. Known Work-arounds] Please note that the correct working version of the game (1.5gb) is available on the Marketplace as of 6/28/13 and so no work-arounds are required as long as it remains available.Playing off of the 1.5gb version is the
ONLY way anyone will unlock the DX achievements. The 1.6gb version is as faulty as the Dreamcast Collection version and neither will unlock the DX achievements. Online, offline, clearing your cache, recovering your GamerTag, etc will
NOT change anything. You need the 1.5gb version, it is as simple as that. Also note that it is a good idea to keep your game save just one item short of completing any of the DX achievements. This way you can have it ready at all times and avoid having to repeat the entire game all over again.
If a GamerTag has ever downloaded the 1.5gb version of the game from the marketplace, regardless of whether or not it was deleted, it retains the usage rights for the 1.5gb version. This means that, if the 1.5gb version is obtained again (if deleted), the game and DX achievements will work without issue. Keep in mind that, if you have changed consoles, this will likely also require you to have done a license transfer as well. If you have only downloaded the 1.6gb version then you do
NOT have the 1.5gb usage rights.
Where and how you gain access to the 1.5gb copy is another issue if you do not still have it or have never downloaded it. It is not on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace, can not be re-downloaded from the Marketplace, and I have never found any online downloads that were compatible with an Xbox 360 formatted USB flash drive.
(1).
You have usage rightsKnow or find someone online or locally who possesses it and make arrangements for them to transfer it to an Xbox 360 formatted USB flash drive and mail it to you.
(2).
You do not have usage rightsKnow or find someone locally who possesses the 1.5gb version and transfer your GamerTag and game save (if any) to their console. Once the requirements are met, while playing on their console, the achievements will unlock.
(3).
You do not have usage rights or know anyone locallyKnow or find someone online who possesses it, upload your save (if any) to the Xbox Cloud and make arrangements for them to unlock the achievement for you by playing on your GamerTag and downloading your save from the Xbox Cloud.
[IV. Disclaimer](1). This post will be altered or expanded as new information becomes available.
(2). If anything in this post goes against the forum rules or terms of service I will happily edit it accordingly.
(3). I do not vouch for the credibility of any content or offers of help posted in this thread by other users.
(4). Attempting any of the work-arounds specified here is done
entirely at your own risk.
(5). I take no responsibility for the resulting condition, damage to, or loss of your GamerTag, Xbox 360, or games in the pursuit of these achievements.
(6). Some of the DX achievements may not unlock retro-actively. You may be forced to start a new game if this is the case. Ideally, you should keep your game save just one item short of earning any of the three DX achievements so that you can avoid having to do all of the work again.
[V. References]Data & Cross-reference VerificationSonic Adventurehttp://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/sonic-adventure-dx-d...General Informationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_Live_Arcade_gameshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamcast_Collectionhttp://majornelson.com/2011/12/28/xbox-12-days-of-deals-day-...http://majornelson.com/2012/06/12/content-coming-soon-to-the...http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Sonic-Adventure/66...Work-around SourcesMission All Accomplished didn't unlockhttp://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/showthread.php?t=30...http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/showthread.php?t=37...Additional Creditspvtkjoe117 - For letting us know that the 1.5gb version was back!
Xbox Twitter Support - For being awesome!