I've been looking at the New queue and there are a bunch of posts (here, here, here, and here just in last 4 hours) asking about the exact same issues with Dark Souls on Xbox 360. My hope is to centralize all of that stuff here to answer FAQs.
The Issue: the free version of Dark Souls that comes with Xbox 360 Gold is in pre-patch, 1.00 mode. This has caused people several problems (mostly on NA server; people in other regions may not experience all of these):
various game imbalances, glitches, confusions (e.g. bottomless box is not available from the Undead Merchant, you can only get it later)
inability to load characters created with later patch versions
Most notably, complete absence of online content. No summoning, signs, bloodspatters, etc.
What can we do? Namco is already aware of the problem and is pushing Microsoft for a fix. There is no ETA on when the patch will go live.
For Dark Souls on the Xbox 360, a GameFAQs message board topic titled 'Patch update' - Page 5. Dark Souls patch version 1.05 has been released. US members of the Dark Souls forum confirm they have downloaded the patch. And on both platforms, PS3 and Xbox 360. Eurogamer can confirm that a.
What should we not do? It's not a good idea to delete and re-download the game. This will not get you the patch, and lots of people doing this could add to Microsoft's server problems.
- Discussion Dark Souls GwG Patch Issue Mega-thread! Dark Souls on Xbox 360. My hope is to centralize all of that stuff here to answer FAQs. The Issue: the free version of Dark Souls that comes with Xbox 360 Gold is in pre-patch. Some people have tried getting the DLC to make the patch download and it hasn't worked for them.
- Dark Souls III is an upcoming action role-playing video game being developed by FromSoftware. The fourth entry in the Souls series, Dark Souls III will be released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in Japan in March 2016, and worldwide the following month.
Can you play the game now? Yes! The game is functional, some items/strategies are OP in pre-patch Spoiler but the game works fine.
Will you lose your save after the patch uploads?No, you will not.
Should I wait for the patch before downloading?No, get it now!
Please upvote this so people can see it and don't have to keep asking the same questions every 15 minutes.
If there are any official updates I'll revise this post to reflect them. Also feel free to vent your hatred of Microsoft, pre-patch souls levels, enemy aggro in the Undead Berg, or whatever else strikes your fancy in the comments.
Thanks everyone! Wishing you all an incandescent day.
Edit: from the comments it seems like the situation is improving for some people. It's great that everyone's posting updates on their online status, but when you do so please also include your game version (disk/digital/GwG) and what region you play in (NA, EU, etc.)
I am on GwG version in NA, still do not see bloodspatters or messages and cannot invade.
Edit 2: Update appears to be live! Online functionality still unclear.
Edit 3: Online is working! I've been invading and seeing lots of orange signs. Looks like problem solved!