Bad/Unfinished Games - a Customer Complaint

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 25 Jan 2011, 16:13

<img src="/https://www.celestialheavens.com/images ... en_dvd.jpg" align=right hspace=10 vspace=10>We are all familiar with the all too common phenomenon of unfinished games. Heroes IV (as you'll recall) was not just released in an unpolished version, it was actually not finished, as the multiplayer feature (scheduled to be in the game) was not released until later. Some fans argue that Heroes V was also more than unfinished, and that it would have been much worse had it not been for the fan-based "save Heroes" campaign urging the developers to give the game more time before its release.

There are several reasons for this trend: Firstly, there is great pressure from marketing sections of gaming companies to keep to set schedules and release their products as soon as possible and on schedule, in order to cash in on them. In some instances, this coincides with unforeseen delays, causing games to be released before they are finished. Secondly, games are becoming more and more complex, opening the door for more complex flaws and bugs to appear. Thirdly, myriads of players have the ability to detect bugs that a handful of developers and testers have not. It is therefore a fact that when the games hit the shelves, more bugs will be discovered.

Some games receive more stick than others when it comes to polishing before and after release, and the swiftness of their response to problems. One such game is Call of Duty: Black Ops by <a href="/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activision ... Activision Blizzard</a> and <a href="/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treyarch">Treyarch</a>. Since its release in November 2010, the PS3 and PC versions of this game have been plagued by faults, and fans have inundated the message boards with frustrated (and growing) complaints. After the game was patched to address some of the more serious issues, <a href="/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010- ... >Eurogamer reported</a> that the experience actually seemed to get worse. Despite Treyarch's claim that some of the problems stem from the users' systems and routers, this has not been proven to the satisfaction of the customers.

<img src="/https://www.celestialheavens.com/images ... svoice.jpg" align=right hspace=10 vspace=10>Now, the consumer advice and lobbyist group Gamer's Voice, on behalf of computer and video game consumers in the UK, have actually gone to the step of <a href="/http://gamersvoice.org.uk/index.php?opt ... =3">filing an official complaint</a> with the <a href="http://www.oft.gov.uk">Office of Fair Trading</a>. The complaint reads:

"This complaint is on the basis that Activision UK Ltd are in breach of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as amended) which states that when a consumer buys goods they must be: as described; of a satisfactory quality; and fit for any purpose made known at the time of sale to the seller. It is clear that Call of Duty: Black Ops for the PlayStation 3 and PC is not 'as described'; of a satisfactory quality or fit for purpose i.e. to entertain, which was stressed at the time of its release."

They also compare games to other products, saying that buying a game that doesn't work properly is: "akin to buying a fridge-freezer only to find that the freezer component doesn't work.". The <a hef="http://forbrukerportalen.no/Emner/engel ... >Norwegian Consumer Council</a> agrees with GV, and has already recommended that buyers return Black Ops and demand a full refund, a right given to them by the Norwegian Act of consumer purchase. As it says in the open letter from Gamer's Voice: A game is a product like any other. A defective product may be returned for a full refund. Time will tell if the UK counterpart, OFT, will come to the same conclusion.

<img src="/http://support.uk.ubi.com/online-servic ... t_logo.jpg" align=right hspace=10 vspace=10>So, what does this have to do with UbiSoft, or for that matter, Heroes VI? Well, nothing, necessarily. Not if the game is released in a fairly polished state. If it is, then UbiSoft will have broken the trend and ensured that Quality Control is boss. They will have thought about what the customers are buying rather than whether they will actually pay for it. At the end of the day, that's all that matters; we gamers are too loyal, we endure things that normal customers would not. We buy games even if they're not quite finished. This has caused the industry to fall into decline, and spew out semi-completed products for the sake of quick profits, rather than spending time on making sure that the gaming experience will actually be pleasurable for the user.

My message to Ubi is clear: Spend time developing the game. As much time as you need to make it as good as it can be. Send out a Beta version to let the myriads of fans help you test it. Push back deadlines if you need to. If you release a game which is anything but playable, I swear by any gods and dragons of Ashan that can hear me: I will return it and take my money back.

If you would like to take a look at the original page visit this link:
https://www.celestialheavens.com/1295972025

rdeford · Unread postby **rdeford** » 25 Jan 2011, 18:53

Very well thought out and well said. I like the idea of a formal complaint, but never thought that anyone would ever file one. Good for Gamer's Voice!

I worked in hi-tech corp engineering for over 35 years and I can testify to the truth of your marketing department suspicions, though the "disease" often extends far wider.

GreatEmerald · Unread postby **GreatEmerald** » 25 Jan 2011, 19:25

AKA "Please make sure you don't break Gamers' Bill of Rights rules #1 and #2."

Infiltrator · Unread postby **Infiltrator** » 25 Jan 2011, 23:33

As long as they can get away with unfinished games they'll keep doing it..

Kalah · Unread postby **Kalah** » 26 Jan 2011, 11:10

Just remembered this thing from PA: http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/12/17

Coldy · Unread postby **Coldy** » 27 Jan 2011, 21:23

We have high expectations Ubi! Don't disappoint us!

Variol · Unread postby **Variol** » 27 Jan 2011, 21:30

Coldy wrote:We have high expectations Ubi! Don't disappoint us!

I don't! Remember "Pool of Radiance"!!

plus, there's less of a let-down that way,

archcorenth · Unread postby **archcorenth** » 28 Jan 2011, 07:46

I'm fine with it being unfinished if the company continues to put hard work into it after it's out. A lot of Heroes V's end product was due to feedback from the initial release.

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 28 Jan 2011, 09:33

DEVELOPER/PUBLISHERS REBUTTAL: Why should we bother when you have proven again and again that you'll buy it anyway... suckers.

SplinterHoMM · Unread postby **SplinterHoMM** » 28 Jan 2011, 11:20

I don't! Remember "Pool of Radiance"!!

Yea , that was so promising game...
could not forgive they ruined it..
[/quote]

Variol · Unread postby **Variol** » 28 Jan 2011, 12:53

I actually can't believe that nobody has modded it yet. If the drops were random and the characters completely customizable, it would have "some" replayability.

klaymen · Unread postby **klaymen** » 28 Jan 2011, 13:43

ThunderTitan wrote:DEVELOPER/PUBLISHERS REBUTTAL: Why should we bother when you have proven again and again that you'll buy it anyway... suckers.

QFT

Players: "QQ this game is bugged, not gonna buy anymore from you! Boycott!! QQ"
Publisher: "We are releasing successor game, now with one extra shiny new multiplayer map and two new skins, for a mere 60USD/60EUR"
Players: *instabuy*

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 28 Jan 2011, 18:27

And don't forget about the three maps for 15$...

klaymen · Unread postby **klaymen** » 28 Jan 2011, 20:16

Do you mean three maps remade from previous game, or three extra maps as a Day 0 "it's not cut off from the game to be sold separatedly" DLC?

jeff · Unread postby **jeff** » 29 Jan 2011, 00:33

Variol wrote:
Coldy wrote:We have high expectations Ubi! Don't disappoint us!

I don't! Remember "Pool of Radiance"!!

plus, there's less of a let-down that way,

Actually I believe you mean POR 2, which was a huge disappointment. POR was a good game, but done by SSI, if memory serves. UBI also had a hand in ruining the Warlords series with Warlords 4.

GrayFace · Unread postby **GrayFace** » 31 Jan 2011, 01:03

The refund thing is strange to hear, because software nature makes refunds a lot less painful. The refund rules must apply to games in full possible strictness.

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 31 Jan 2011, 08:16

klaymen wrote:Do you mean three maps remade from previous game, or three extra maps as a Day 0 "it's not cut off from the game to be sold separately" DLC?

It's all BS anyway...

astral76minor · Unread postby **astral76minor** » 02 Feb 2011, 22:02

Just release a Beta of H6 for 6 months prior to the official release. This will give us enough time for scrutiny. I'd rather they did several beta's prior to release - but the money is in the way like always. The odds are likely that this will end up with more upset fans.

How about a trade in like a car? Trade H5 for the new H6 and get a discount!

ThunderTitan · Unread postby **ThunderTitan** » 03 Feb 2011, 08:21

6 months?! Who do you think they are, a company with nigh unlimited resources stemming from having the most successful MMO ever bringing them a steady income every month...

A 3 month one would be more realistic...

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