Consumerist: Video Games

Time Warner Cable Customers Can't Play World Of Warcraft

Chris Walters — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:17:25 EDT

Update: The Director of Digital Communications at Time Warner Cable has responded.

We don't play World of Warcraft, but if we did, it looks like we'd have to cancel Time Warner Cable and install FIOS in order to guarantee a connection to Blizzard's servers. That's what some East Coast WoW players are saying—they've been suffering disconnections and game-killing lags for months now, and Time Warner Cable seems unable to solve the problem. They swear they're not doing anything to disrupt or throttle gamers, and say that "customers who are having problems on the local level should contact customer service." Based on the 24-page thread on Blizzard's forums, TWC's customer service has yet to resolve the issue.

One Wow player wrote,

Everyone here is extremely frustrated because we want to play but can't get a connection to do so. Blizzard does what they can to help but the problem is the path to the servers not the servers themselves so we are sent to TWC. I'm sure everyone that has called has been asked to check thier connection, their router, their modem and their underwear color. The "techs" are outsourced and don't listen or don't understand English very well. How many of you have told the "tech" that you have tried their suggestions 100 times only to have them send you to http://speedtest.nyc.rr.com/ and say "See .. no problem with your connection"?

Maybe you should unplug your router for a few moments to reset it. LOOKIT ME I'M A TIME WARNER CABLE CSR.

Update: An alleged Time Warner Cable employee wrote to us this morning:

Without going into detail, I am an employee of Time Warner Cable. At this time, we are not aware of any issues with this. If possible, please urge anyone having this issue to contact us immediately using an online form. If we have account information, we can investigate the issue, but we do not block packets/servers/etc. that should be causing the issue. If anything, a recent system upgrade should be delivering faster speeds. Please, if possible, direct those with the issue here:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/nynj/customer/contactus/

"TWC Blamed for Internet Interference" [New York Post]
(Photo: thms.nl)

Comcast Gives Away Wiis To New Subscribers?

Ben Popken — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:05:29 EDT

Comcast will be giving away a limited supply of free Wiis in an upcoming promotion, a current employee tell us. The offer is good for new Comcast triple-play subscribers signing up July 28-August 17th in select markets. Our tipster confirmed the promo will be good in Miami, San Francisco, Houston, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and some other markets too. In valid markets where triple-play is not available, double-play subscriptions are eligible.The cable provider is apparently undaunted by the unresolved incompatibility issues between some Comcast-provided routers and the Wii.

Target Employee Says Whatever She Feels Like At The Time

Chris Walters — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:18:27 EDT

Abbey is annoyed with a woman who works at the new Target store in Washington, D.C., because the woman lied to her and wasted her time:

One of my roommates just got a Wii, so I decided to go to Target and get "Wario Ware: Smooth Moves." Before hitting the store, though, I gave their electronics department a call to see if they had the game in stock. A woman in electronics picked up the phone and when I asked her if she had the game, she quickly said, "Yeah, we've got that in stock." So I got up off my couch and walked over to the Target to buy my game.

When I got there, less than half an hour later, I checked the shelves - but no game. I went to the front desk to see if someone could help me find it. After a few minutes of being flirted with by his coworker (as a line steadily grew behind me), the guy at the electronics desk told me that in fact, no, they didn't have the game in stock.

Now, I'd be willing to believe that maybe in the twenty minutes it took me to get to the Target, someone snatched up the last copy of Smooth Moves. But then the guy at the desk (who was really helpful) said, point blank to me, "I don't know who answered your call, but they obviously just didn't feel like looking it up. Sorry about that." (Side note: my guess is that the flirty coworker was the woman who answered my call; she was the only other person working in that department, and she beat a hasty retreat when she heard what I was looking for.)

So, basically, Washington DC's shiny new Target is being staffed by people who would rather lie to potential customers than spend what turned out to be literally ten seconds to look something up on a computer. What a wasted trip.

—Abbey

PS - I sent essentially this same message through Target's contact form yesterday and got a standard "sorry, come again soon!" form letter.

You need to chill out, Abbey. It's quite possible that the woman who answered the phone was a psychic in training, and she made a good faith effort to "see" the inventory without averting her gaze from her coworker's butt while he ran the cash register. Or what if it's Target Opposite Day and the employees are forced to reverse their answers? Managers love coming up with weird team-building exercises like that.

At any rate, just pretend that your trip to Target was a bonus Smooth Moves game—Nintendo's pretty innovative, so maybe they've worked real life pointless tasks into the mini-game concept by now.

(Photo: Getty Images)

New Shooter Video Game Charges Gamers For Better Weapons

Alex Chasick — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:23:51 EDT

UPDATE: EA has backed off, and has decided to offer the weapons at no charge. Kotaku has more. This is what I get for leaving a post in Movable Type purgatory for a week.
Electronic Arts's "Battlefield: Bad Company" is aptly named: the new first-person shooter contains several locked weapons, the purchase of which disadvantages those who only pay for the game. Unlike most purchasable extra content, such as additional songs in Guitar Hero, the weapons for sale in Bad Company give the buyer a competitive advantage over other users, which sort of spoils multiplayer mode for gamers who only bought the standard version of the game.

Our sister site Kotaku explains the situation thus: "Cosmetic additions and extra maps are all well and good, but allowing players to pay in order to get a leg up on the competition is just slimy." Others agree: a proposed boycott has received over 2000 Diggs. Kotaku fears that EA might just be testing the waters for more extra content, maybe even better players or more ammo. A video from the boycott site illustrates this:

Companies like Blizzard, which publishes World of Warcraft, have forbidden users from selling any virtual content in the real world, a move that eBay has backed up. Perhaps they were just preserving their future monopolies?
(Thanks to Justin!)
(Photo: Getty)

Executive Email Addresses For XBOX Complaints

Ben Popken — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:00:00 EST

If you have a problem with your XBOX and you want it heard by senior executives, here are some dudes to blast it to:

robbieb@microsoft.com- Robert (Robbie) Bach- PRESIDENT, ENT & DEVICES DIV
donm@microsoft.com - Don Mattrick- SVP, INTERACTIVE ENT. BUSINESS
jabell@microsoft.com - Jeff Bell - CVP GLOBAL MKT INTERACTIVE ENT

(Photo: Milkham)

866-506-3826 is an escalated XBOX support ...

Ben Popken — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:30:00 EST

866-506-3826 is an escalated XBOX support number where they all speak English.

EA To Release "Free" Video Game In U.S. This Summer

Chris Walters — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:42:36 EST

Electronic Arts saw crazy profits in South Korea over the past two years from distributing its FIFA soccer title online for free, then charging an average of $1.60 per transaction for character clothing and accessories. Now EA has announced it will release a free online version of Battlefield Heroes in the U.S. and Europe this summer. If it proves successful, more titles will follow. Unfortunately, in addition to micro-transactions EA will also include in-game advertising to support the business model. Suddenly we're picturing a surreal NASCAR battlefield... hey, that sounds like a new game idea! Pay up, EA!

EA resorted to online distribution in South Korea in part to combat rampant piracy, which BusinessWeek claims drove sales down from 250,000 in 2002 to only 10,000 in 2006. The new online version of FIFA soccer has been raking in an average of $1 million per month, "almost twice what it earned in its peak year of retail sales in 2002," and is harder to pirate.

One analyst has this choice description of the business model:

It is like giving every little girl a Barbie doll that is naked and hoping she will accessorize. While you can still play with a naked Barbie, it is not as much fun as dressing her up.

Indeed.

"EA Leaps into Free Video Games" [BusinessWeek]

Emailing Bill Gates Results In New XBOX

Ben Popken — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 19:20:24 EST

Jon writes:

I was one of the first to get an Xbox 360 when they came out, paying way more than I should have. I had problems with the console right out of the box and after weeks of haggling with their normal customer service department, I was contacted by their escalation department. Within a week, my problems were solved and they sent me a bunch of free stuff (games & controllers). Fast forward two years, and I'm having the same problem. I emailed both Bill Gates and Kathleen Hogan(Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Customer Service, Support and Customer and Partner Experience) yesterday...

I was contacted within twenty-four hours from the escalation department and a new console is on its way.
In doing a little bit of research, I figured out the email addresses for both and am providing them for your loyal readers. The link I am including will also provide the entire corporate teams names and titles.

khogan@microsoft.com
billg@microsoft.com

Microsoft Executives and Images

Awesome opossum. We've said it before, and we'll say it again and again, there's nothing like taking it to the top to get things done. Crap rolls down hill, so, to borrow from introductory physics, the higher on the hill you start, the more potential energy it has coming done. That transfers into kinetic energy and smashes through inept and uncaring customer service minions and gives you new XBOX. Win.

Xbox 360 Breaks Down 5 Times In A Row, But Microsoft Refuses To Replace It

Chris Walters — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:48:03 EST

Greg writes in to tell us that on January 2nd, his Xbox 360 unit broke down for the fifth time—it lasted eleven days this time, setting a new record for Shortest Period of Functionality. In the past year, it's been out of commission for over 12 weeks total. He's now asking for a new or refurbished unit, or else a refund, but Microsoft is determined to keep him in an extended warranty repair cycle indefinitely and won't negotiate. Surely by this point it's just cheaper to replace the defective unit, isn't it?

My family cannot play video games. My family cannot watch movies. My family cannot get anybody from Microsoft to help us. I bought the extended warranty for the system, bought the HDDVD add on, bought dozens of games and dozens of movies, bought a bunch of arcade games and videos from Live, but apparently our brand loyalty and investment in [Microsoft] products doesn't mean what it used to.

Here's a timeline of Greg's Xbox 360 adventure from the past year:

1.	He bought an Xbox 360 and an extended warranty in early 2007.
2.	It was defective, so he called 800-4-MY-XBOX and arranged to have it repaired.
3.	Three weeks later the console was returned in working order.
4.	It broke down again.
5.	Repeat steps 2 & 3.
6.	He bought the HD DVD player add-on and began buying HD DVD movies.
7.	It broke down a third time.
8.	Repeat steps 2 & 3.
9.	On November 28th 2007 it broke down a fourth time.
10.	"Paul" at Microsoft says, "that since this is my fourth broken xbox that a supervisor needs to talk to me so that I can get a new console instead of another refurbished one. Paul promised a callback between 5-8pm on the 29th. He recorded my new phone number and address."
11.	Nobody calls.
12.	Greg calls Microsoft and talks to a woman who says Paul must have been from a different country, "perhaps Canada she thought," and they do things differently there. She says her supervisor says no deal on the new Xbox. Greg discovers that his account has no record of his conversation with Paul or his new contact info. She says someone will call him back.
13.	Nobody calls him back.
14.	Greg calls again and speaks to "Kim," who says a supervisor tried to call but Greg's phone number was disconnected. There's no record of his call from the day before or his new contact info.
15.	"Eventually" someone named "Jessica" contacts him and arranges for the fourth repair. He receives his Xbox 360 in working order "a few days before Christmas."
16.	On January 2nd, it breaks down for the fifth time.

Now Chris at Microsoft has told Greg that "it's impossible" to get a new Xbox 360 console. Maybe what he really means is that it's impossible for Greg to get a working one.

Update: Our esteemed TV-friendly editor Ben suggests you may have a case for demanding a replacement or refund under the federal lemon law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (see more information on it here). You should check the fine print of your extended warranty and then see whether or not you can move forward on getting a new unit without Microsoft's permission.

(Thanks to Greg)

(Photo: drdementox)

Activision Accidentally Introduces 860 Customers To Each Other

Chris Walters — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:38:18 EST

Consumerist reader chrismar was one of the Guitar Hero customers who requested a Wii replacement disc from Activision last month. On January 18th, the company sent out an email to its customers with an update on the disc replacement program. The problem is, they copied 859 other customers on the email. "As a result, my email address is in 859 unknown hands, and I have 859 email addresses I don't want."

The only way to really protect yourself from the dumbness of strangers is to never give them your personal email address—either create a "public" address that you use for all business correspondence, or create one-use accounts (e.g., "yourlastname.activision.guitarhero@gmail.com"), that you forward to your real email account.

On the bright side, Chris, it's unlikely that your new 859 friends are telemarketers or spammers, or that all of them will even notice the massive CC list. Which gives us an idea: quick, sell those other addresses before someone else does and the list loses value!

(Thanks to chrismar)

Someone From Arkansas Is Selling Wiis For Only $99!!!

Chris Walters — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:43:14 EST

Quick, type in all of your credit card information before he runs out of inventory! Omgwtf $99 Wiis! The website, www.wiifor99.com—which is being advertised on Facebook, according to a reader—consists of the two screens shown above and that's it. What a lazy con. Since the site no longer exists, here are two screencaps we took of it on Wednesday night. Index page. Order form.

Justin writes,

"While surfing Facebook today, I saw an ad for the Wii going for $99. It immediately set off my spider sense. The site was just registered to a guy out of Fayetteville, AR, but under a false name? The phone number listed is for a different Peter.

(Thanks to Justin!)

Best Buy Forbids You From Buying Assassin's Creed, Insists You're Buying It For A Minor

Ben Popken — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:23:24 EST

Matt writes:

Yesterday I went through the horror of taking my 15 year old brother to the Best Buy in Orland Park, IL on LaGrange Ave. I had close to $100 in Best Buy Gift Certificates given to me for Christmas. My brother and I were en route to dinner and we decided to swing by the aforementioned Best Buy to pick up a video game, Assassin's Creed, and XBOX Live Gold. We entered the store. I browsed the camera aisle looking for a cable to possibly purchase for our flat screen then headed to the video game section. I picked up the said items and headed to check out where hell will shortly ensue.

I stepped up to the red haired, slightly obese cashier and she immediately gave me a look of disgrace as if I did something wrong. I replied with a "hi" to make the tension less awkward. She immediately asked me for my ID. I've never been carded for a video game before so I politely handed it to her while asking my brother for my gift cards I gave him while I was busy shuffling through my car just 20 minutes earlier.
She then left the the register booth with my ID and video game and went to her manager. The Best Buy cashier then came back and shouted that I'm purchasing a video game for a minor in front of everyone in line behind me and her fellow cashiers. She even had the nerve to ask, "Is that even your brother with you?!" Hell yes he is! I was embarrassed! It's like she was condemning me for purchasing alcohol for a minor. [ed. Assassin's Creed is rated "M" for Mature, meaning it's considered not suitable for kids under 17. It's a game where you play an assassin during the Third Crusades and you take out various historical figures.]

I quickly responded back that I am 21 year old and that the video game and peripheral are for me. She shook her head with a menacing grim and said that she saw me take gift cards from my brother and that what I am doing is illegal. Enough of this obese 17 year olds shenanigans! I demanded a manager. Unfortunately the manager was probably about 18 years old as well.

In front of the store again he told me that I am illegally purchasing a video game for a minor. I responded back that they are my gift cards! I want to make a purchase. That's when he picked up Xbox Live GOLD. I then asked if I couldn't buy that either. He then took a few minutes to scrutinize the box looking for an online peripherals rating. He never found it and said to me, he's not sure, I might not be able to do that either (Xbox Live was also rated E for everyone mind you). I continued to repeat that these are my gift cards, I'm 21 and I want to make my purchase. The cashier and manager continued to condemn me in front of all that I'm illegally purchasing the game for a minor.

I brought up two ultimatums. "So I have to go drive miles outside Orland Park, IL to another Best Buy to purchase the video game then?" The manager shrugged and said, "I guess so."

I also brought up the option then that if I left the store with my brother, came back in by myself and made the purchase, would that be legal then? The manager replied, "Technically, yes, that will be OK."

I then told them to hold on to the Xbox Live Gold since it was the last one left. I left the store with my brother, told him to go to the car. I then walked back into the store. The manager earlier told me that I can't use the old video game I originally had in hand because it was deemed under "penalty." I then had to walk all the way to the back of the cavernous store, pick up the video game then walk back to the line I was originally in. I stood in line for another 10 minutes waiting. I finally got back up to the obese red head cashier where she smirked and looked at me and said, "Yeah, we can't sell you that video game." What?! "Those gift cards are illegal."

How the hell does she know someone didn't just give me the gift cards on the street or if I had more of my "OWN" gift cards from the car. They just told me that I was able to purchase the video game once I walked my brother out.

I told them that they made a fool out of me before everyone in the store. She continued to be as politely as I can put it a "bitch" to me. I purchased Xbox Live Gold and said to the hell with the game. After making the transaction I told her I didn't need a plastic bag since all I'm carrying out is a small little hand held cardboard box. Who needs a plastic bag for that? She then told me that under company policy if I wanted to exit the store I needed a plastic bag. Absurd! For me to exit the store I need to kill the planet now? I never see people with bags over DVD players that are twice the size as the flimsy Xbox Live cardboard box.

Anyway I left the store, we ate dinner and on the way home we stopped at the Best Buy in Mokena, IL. I purchased the same exact video game, Assassin's Creed with my brother right beside me. I was never carded, I was never interrogated, I was never questioned. I had a wonderful experience there but I had to go through a three hour ordeal of going to the Best Buy in Orland Park, eating dinner than spending another 20 minutes at a Best Buy miles away all for a video game.

Three things Best Buy, first drop the mandatory plastic bag policy. Second, you need to revamp your treatment of customers and not threaten them of their illegal actions in front of all. Three, can I get reimbursed for some gas money for driving miles and miles out of my way since I was banned from buying a video game at your store in Orland Park, IL?

Cheers,

Matt D.

That is one crazy story, Matt. Now, if you had a copy of The Consumerist.com Consumer Action Manual (an as-yet unwritten pocket-sized book in the style of those "How To Escape From Anything" Books), you would turn to page 42, under "Dealing with in-store employee's wacky interpretations of store policy" (just a working section title). There you would see that when little Mr. and Mrs. Blueshirt have decided they are the petty dictators of the cash register universe, you calm yourself down and call their corporate headquarters or customer service line and let them know what is going on. Oftentimes, this results in a call to the store from official company people with a few more firing brain cells who can straighten the whole matter out. Perhaps then corporate would have informed this store that video game ratings are just voluntary recommendations, it's not "illegal" in any sense of the word to sell them to a minor, and especially not to an older sibling who just happens to have a minor with them. We offer this advice based on testimony from readers for whom it has worked, as well as former employees of various retail establishments.

Researchers found that playing a Wii doesn't ...

Ben Popken — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:52:55 EST

Researchers found that playing a Wii doesn't burn a whole lot more calories per hour than an Xbox, 167 vs 107, respectively. [icWales via The Raw Feed]

Nintendo Officially Disapproves Of "Bundling"

Chris Walters — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:39:48 EST

Bundling may be a popular tactic retailers employ to force customers to spend more money, but Nintendo of America's celeb-President Reggie Fils-Aime has come out against it, finally: "Retailers have already been given feedback that we are not big fans of that," he told Reuters this week. Is the pre-purchase deal with GameStop one way Nintendo is preventing that from happening this December? If anyone actually buys one of those empty DVD cases, let us know if they try to upsell you to a bundle.

We think it masks some of the price advantage we have versus our competition and, frankly, the consumer should decide what they want," Fils-Aime said.
Asked if Nintendo had threatened such retailers with fewer Wii shipments, Fils-Aime said only that the company carried a lot of weight as maker of one of the most highly sought items this holiday season.

"We don't have to remind retailers of the strength we have right now. We are simply making an observation and that reinforces our point quite nicely with retailers," Fils-Aime said.

Fils-Aime also said that Nintendo is having trouble getting its supply and demand curves in sync. Maybe they should release a networked DS game that crowdsources Nintendo's supply chain for them—we couldn't do any worse than Nintendo has.

"Nintendo says Wii shortages hurt planning" [Reuters]

"Shoppers who pay the full price of about ...

Chris Walters — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:13:40 EST

"Shoppers who pay the full price of about $249 for an out-of-stock Wii on December 20 and 21 at retailer GameStop Corp will get a certificate promising a Wii 'sometime in January,'" sez Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime. Only at GameStop, urg. [Reuters]

6 Months Later, Reader Gets New Xbox After UPS Loses His

Ben Popken — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:06:37 EST

Dan, whose Xbox360 was "lost in transit," spent the past six months trying to get either UPS or Microsoft to give him what he had paid his hard-earned money for, has finally succeed in his quest. After we posted his story (see Microsoft Presents: UPS And The Case Of The Vanishing XBOX 360) and he sent executive email carpet bombs (EECBs) to both UPS and MIcrosoft, they are shipping him a brand new Xbox360. We briefly spoke with Dan over IM about his harrowing journey...

benpopken: How has this experience affected your opinion of UPS and Microsoft?
dan: Well, I am more cautious about shipping with UPS. I always make sure I have a paper trail with their stuff. I still think of Microsoft as I did before. They are slow when they have to work between departments but overall they have been a great help.
benpopken: So you place most of the blame on UPS?
dan: Yes, since it was lost in transit. And they have a tendency not to return phone calls.
benpopken: That's 6 months you spent on the issue.
dan: Yeah, mostly dealing with UPS.
benpopken: Do you think a couple of brown shirts are playing with your Xbox in a breakroom somewhere right now?
dan: Most likely, yes.

PREVIOUSLY: Microsoft Presents: UPS And The Case Of The Vanishing XBOX 360

Namco Bandai Won't Sell Accessory Separately

Chris Walters — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:40:38 EST

Some non-game playing exec at Namco Bandai has decided that the gun controller that ships with Time Crisis 4 for the Playstation 3 cannot and will not be sold separately, even though there's a 2-player mode in the game. Their CSR's helpful suggestion? "You will need another copy of Time Crisis 4." It's as if the game is a license to use one gun controller—if you want more gun controllers, simply buy more licenses!

Here's the transcript of a very helpful chat one reader had with 'Brian' at Namco Bandai's Live Support Chat Supercenter Headquarters:

Please wait for a site operator to respond. You are now chatting with 'Brian'

Brian: Thank you for contacting Namco Bandai's Live Support. How may I help you?

Alfredo: Hi Brian, I am contacting you because I would like to purchase a second guncon controller to be able to play Time Crisis 4 with 2 players on my PS3 but have failed to find any place to do so online and would like to get some help in finding out where it could be bought

Brian: I'm sorry, but the Guncon 3 is not sold separately. It is only sold bundled with Time Crisis 4.

Alfredo: huh ? But the game supports 2 controllers, doesn't it? 

Brian: Yes, it supports two Guncon 3s for split screen multiplayer.

Brian: But the Guncon 3 is not sold separately.

Alfredo: so, isn't it unfair to ask a person to buy the game twice if he/she only intends to use it in one PS3 (my case) if he/she wants to do split screen multiplayer?

Brian: You can play the split-screen with one Guncon 3 and a controller. If you wish to play two players using two Guncon 3s then you will need another copy of Time Crisis 4.

Brian: Is there anything else I can help you with?

Al fredo: but the game is supposed to be played with guncons ! It is a LIGHT GUN game :-( Also, what happens when somebody's guncon gets stolen or is broken, how can you get a new replacement guncon? 

Brian: We do not sell replacement Guncon 3s. If the Guncon 4 is defective, then we can provide an RMA exchange where we'll inspect and repair or replace your Guncon 3.

Brian: Is there anything else I can help you with?

Uh, no, thanks anyway Brian. You've been great.

(Thanks to Alfredo!)

The Wii Shortgage Continues, Might End Next Spring

Chris Walters — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:54:18 EST

Not even Nintendo anticipated how the market would react to the Wii, which is why they're still hard to find a year after launch, even after Nintendo almost doubled production of the console from 1 million to 1.8 million units a month, writes Wired. "Last week was Nintendo's best since the Wii's launch, with 350,000 sold in the United States alone. In comparison, Microsoft sold about that many Xbox 360s last month."

One problem was that Nintendo had to plan production rates for the holiday season earlier this year, and based on how consoles have traditionally sold they assumed that slack summer sales would help them stockpile inventory for Christmas. Instead, the Wii kept selling strongly throughout the summer, ruining any chance of building up inventory. (I know! Isn't this sad for Nintendo!?)

According to Nintendo, they won't increase production above 1.8 million units, but they won't cut back either until demand subsides. A Nintendo executive offers the same tired old advice on how to score one if you're still looking: check out stores on Sunday mornings, or find out exactly when shipments arrive at your store, etc.

"Why You Can't Get Your Hands on a Wii" [Wired]
(Photo: Ian Muttoo)

Amazon will supposedly sell a unspecified ...

Chris Walters — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 09:36:19 EDT

Amazon will supposedly sell a unspecified but large number of Wii game consoles on Wednesday, October 31st at 10 am PDT (1 pm EDT). [NintendoWiiFanboy]

Valve "Deactivating" Customers Who Bought "Orange Box" Internationally

Meg Marco — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:48:35 EDT

According to reader Todd, there are quite a few customers are finding their "Orange Box" games have been deactivated by Valve because they bought them from a seller that wasn't authorized to do business with US customers.

The seller made the mistake, but the gamers are paying the price.

Todd says:

This complaint is about Valve, a PC video game company which makes games like Half-Life 2.

This effects many thousands of customers.

They recently released a product called the "Orange Box", which is a bunch of games.
All their products are activated online via unique serial numbers through the Steam service.

Many of us bought the product (and hence, the serial numbers) legitimately online via well known international game stores, as they sell them significantly cheaper than American stores.

We were able to activate the products without a problem.
One week later, Valve, via the Steam program, inactivated all Orange Box games (after they had already been active for some time), stating that they are in the "incorrect territory."
There was no warning or anything, just completely inactivated.

The thread that was started on www.valve.com has been removed by the operators there.

I think this is absolutely reprehensible customer care. We paid for our products, and they just go and remove it without warning from our computers.

Thanks

-Todd

Here's a thread of irritated Valve customers like Todd who are trying to get refunds from their international vendors (with varying levels of success.) Customers who have purchased the game a second time from a US vendor and are having difficulty adding it to their accounts are having trouble communicating with Valve's customer service.

Date Posted: Oct/22/2007 7:57 PM Rating: +1
same crap here
this was my question

======================================================================================

Customer (xxx xxxxxxxx) 10/20/2007 11:07 AM

Hello my cd-key was invalidated and game removed
i get a steam error
Steam - Game unavailable
Team Fortress 2 is not available in your territory

ok so i contacted retailer to get a refund
and purchased a new copy at a local Circuit City here in Tacoma
but when i enter new cd-key says game is already installed log in to steam
but of course that doesn't work and takes me back to
Steam - Game unavailable
Team Fortress 2 is not available in your territory

so i guess i need the supposedly invalid cd-key removed
so i can enter my new one
thanks

======================================================================================

Response (DougV) 10/22/2007 05:06 PM

Games purchased in Thailand or Russia can only be played from those countries. If you purchased a game from Thailand or Russia and you do not live in one of those countries, you need to contact the seller for a refund.

======================================================================================

Customer (xxx xxxxxxx) 10/22/2007 05:37 PM
yes did you even read what i said?
and do what i asked you to do
guess not

What a mess!

Valve Orange Box for ~20$ [Fat Wallet]

Save At The Arcade By Buying Tokens On Ebay

Ben Popken — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:40:10 EDT

If you still thrill to the joys of a real arcade, or take your kids to Chukee Cheese's or Kings Dominion or other amusement parks, you can save on tokens by getting them on eBay. After reading about how you could do it on this Mighty Bargain Hunter's post, we found a few auctions which looked decent:

49 CHUCK E CHEESE TOKENS ARCADE GAME FUN COINS
1000 21.9mm Namco Arcade Amusement Tokens
(60) Kings Dominion arcade game coins tokens

(Photo: georgehotelling)

Halo 3 Discs Arrive Pre-Scratched

Ben Popken — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:55:49 EDT

Eager fans today cracked open the hot new video game Halo 3, only to discover that their game discs were already scratched. It seems in their midst of preparing for a global launch with mondo cross-promotion, Microsoft forgot to check they didn't use the the DVD holders with the defective nubs.

The weak nubs allowed the DVDs to float around and get all scraped.

Reader Mr. Chip Livejournals that 3 out the 4 he opened in Walmart, which were of the fancy metal tin "collector's edition" variety, were scratched upon opening. That's $70 for a game that's already scratched. PC World says the scratches are cosmetic and you can still play the game just fine, but wants to buy a "new" scratched video game?

If your Halo 3 is scratched, you can get it swapped out for a shiny new one under the Xbox disc replacement program.

Wal-Mart Manager Admits He'd Rather Sell Defective Copies of Halo 3 Than Let Me Find Undamaged One [Mr. Chip]

Are Brain-Training Video Games Effective? The Japanese Think So

Chris Walters — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:23:51 EDT

"Brain Age" and its recently released sequel are hugely popular video games in Japan and the US. What's unusual about this is that the games are made for and marketed to "older people" (which in video game language means "anyone over 25") as a way to improve your mental acuity by keeping your cognitive skills at peak levels. Does any of it work, or is it just a self-help fad for the 21st century? Sharpbrains.com interviews Go Hirano, a Japanese entrepreneur (their description, not ours) who provides a general overview of the current state of "brain training" and its borderline-scientific underpinnings.

In the US, the Nintendo "brain training" games are presented as a sort of anti-aging tonic for the 30+ set that grew up on Atari and NES, but in Japan, "brain training" is an entire industry that's been around for years. Most of the scientific studies either for or against the concept, however, have been poorly structured and unverifiable—which makes it a prime marketing opportunity for any population hell-bent on self-improvement. Says Hirano, "In any bookstore, there always is a section for brain books, [and] adult consumers keep devouring such games. Dentsu, the biggest advertising agency announced the No.1 Consumer-chosen Choice of the Product 2006 was game software and books for brain training."

But despite the criticism that the currently popular games don't do much, Sharpbrains insists that the concept as a whole is valid, even if current implementations are not. A study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that "reasoning training" helped stave off a decline in brain functions in older brains, and "cognitive training" improved performance in the area being trained for approximately five years after the training occurred. It may be a while, though, before any sound medical proof arrives that your "old person video game" is doing anything more than helping you while away the days until senescence.

"Brain Training and 'Brain-ism' in Japan" [SharpBrains]
"11 Neuroscientists Debunk a Common Myth About Brain Training" [SharpBrains]

"Bill Gates, You Suck"

Ben Popken — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:40:28 EDT

Dan Jouver, a self-identifying southern Floridian, is yet another customer experiencing Xbox's notorious Red Ring of Death product failure, multiple times, but unlike others, he is eventually driven to destroy his Xbox on-camera in a series of exciting scenarios.

See, Dan wants to play Tiger Woods, Madden, Need For Speed, and GTA... so he plays them with his broken XBOX. It's a process that involves large pieces of plastic and metal become smaller, multiple, pieces of plastic and metal.

That's in the second video, below. The first video, above, is his expression of frustration with the warranty repair process in the typical "straight to camera" mode, but the eponymous conveyance of his true feelings, and the appearance of what looks like a recalled Fisher-Price toy in the background, raise it above the quotidian.

Ads In Video Games: Annoying Intrusion, Or Welcome Dose Of Reality?

Carey — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:22:05 EDT

Advertisers are expected to quintuple the amount spent placing ads in video games over the next five years. Beyond mere brand placement, consoles with an internet connection are capable of displaying dynamic billboards that can advertise The Simpsons Movie today, and The Simpsons Movie Sequel: The Return Of Spider Pig, in two years. From the LA Times:

The player's ability to don, kick, toss or use products is part of the appeal. In "Super Monkey Ball," players try to get their monkey characters to collect Dole-branded bananas. And in "Tony Hawk's Project 8," players use Nokia phones.

After the jump, tell us whether you greet ads in video games with skepticism and disdain, or appreciate them as a dose of reality in an otherwise virtual world.

For advertisers, they're not just games [LA Times]

Nintendo will introduce a step-board-like ...

Ben Popken — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:25:44 EDT

Nintendo will introduce a step-board-like Wii peripheral that senses your movement, measures your Body Mass Index, ratcheting up the system's physically active game factor. [Seattle P-I]

Video Game Spending To Overtake Music As Soon As This Year

Meg Marco — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 17:59:01 EDT

Spending on video game products is poised to surpass the music industry as soon as this year, according to Ars Technica.

PricewaterhouseCooperss released the data in its annual "Global Entertainment and Media Outlook" report covering 2007 through 2011, which outlines expected growth in the entertainment, film, music, and video game industries, among others.

The information not only reflects the gaming industry's strong trajectory but also serves as a painful reminder that the music industry continues to suffer.

Interesting statistic, but how can it be blamed on piracy? Anyone? Anyone? We want to blame piracy, damn it. Submit your best music-industry-rationalization in the comments. —MEGHANN MARCO

Report: Video game spending to surpass music spending this year [Ars Technica]
(Photo: cryptolife)

XBOX360 Consumer Pwns Microsoft Using Level 34 American Express Powers

Ben Popken — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 23:05:45 EDT

Remember Richard? Microsoft and numerous commenters mocked him for trying to get his XBOX360 fixed under warranty repair because he had a random tech pry open the box, thus voiding the warranty.

A Microsoft tech on the phone even said to Richard, ""Is there anything else I can help you with... and by the way I am laughing at you."

While it's indisputable that he shouldn't have cracked open the case, it looks like Richard has the last laugh:

Thanks to the people who posted comments to my story I have been able to get a refund from my AMEX card. They did extend Microsofts 1 year warranty by another year. I was able to get a full refund of the original purchase price, thanks to American Express.
I guess Jose did me a favor by ticking me off enough to seek you and your readers help.

Thank you to You and your readers... oh and Jose... I am thanking at you right now.

Credit card extended warranty, for the win. Check to see if your issuer offers it on items purchased with the credit card. — BEN POPKEN

PREVIOUSLY:
Xbox360 Tells Customer "I Am Laughing At You" And Hangs Up
RELATED:
American Express Extended Warranty Protection Buys You A New Laptop
(Photo: avlxyz)

Best Of Xbox

Ben Popken — Tue, 15 May 2007 23:33:59 EDT

• XBOX Screams That Month Old Unit's 90-Day Warranty Is Expired
""I don't care if you bought your console yesterday, we still show your warranty is expired.""

• Xbox360 Tells Customer "I Am Laughing At You" And Hangs Up
""Is there anything else I can help you with... and by the way I am laughing at you."
I responded, "you are what?"
And he enunciated, "I am laughing at YOU.""

• No Exchange: Best Buy Manager Tries To Void XBOX Warranty
"The manager then picked at the sticker to my horror and I then quickly approached the counter and told customer, quite loudly, to not let the manager pick at the sticker."

• Best Buy Either Voided Your XBOX Warranty Or Sold You A Used Unit
"To add insult to monetary damage, the Geek Squad guy suggested to Dan that "maybe his friends" opened his XBOX. "

• The Xbox360 Fiasco
"All told, with driving back and forth, Tim spent 6 hours trying to get a working system and games."

(Photo: hanapbuhay)

Xbox360 Tells Customer "I Am Laughing At You" And Hangs Up

Ben Popken — Fri, 11 May 2007 19:35:15 EDT

Is Xbox360 like the most fault-prone device in the history of video gaming or what? As if in a deliberate attempt to add injury to insult to injury, Microsoft provided only a 90-day warranty, AND staffed their call centers with a goodly numbers of jerks. To wit, this recent conversation Richard had when trying to get his Xbox360 fixed under warranty repair:

"Is there anything else I can help you with... and by the way I am laughing at you."
I responded, "you are what?"

And he enunciated, "I am laughing at YOU."

(Photo: Tengaport)

Whaaat? Why is he laughing? Why would anyone say such a thing?

Richard writes:

Backstory...
My wife bought me an Xbox 360 from EB games in April of 2005. She bought it early enough that I was one of two people to get the premium system day of release from that particular EB games. I picked up the Xbox on Nov 11th and all was right with the world. Critics were lamenting its whopping 90 day warranty, possibly the biggest joke Microsoft ever pulled... on gamers. I was happy with my 360, counting the days after those initial 90 days... just waiting for it to break.

Then in November Microsoft retro extended every ones 360 warranty to ONE YEAR!!! Unfortunately it was instituted 7 days or so after mine would have expired anyway. So... still no warranty.

Then in March of 2007... it finally happens. I am playing Marvel Alliances and the screen goes green... then black. No red lights of doom, just no video. Could hear my game... just not see my game.

So it is off to "Xbox customer support." I call and explain to the Operator (David I believe, that is what Jose said anyway) what has happened. He proceeds to tell me that my Xbox was out of warranty and it was going to cost me Shipping both ways (UPS), $140 dollars and if I wanted to extend the warranty on their work it would be an extra $70. He then proceeded to explain that it was my fault that it wasn't still under warranty because I had the chance to extend it while it was in the original 1 year warranty. I then explained the above story and that mine never had a 1 year warranty. He then imparted this nugget of wisdom to me...,"Wow, that is like taking a piss and having the wind change direction and getting piss all over your leg." Apparently Microsoft is the wind and I have piss on my leg.

Seeing as how it seemed I had nothing to lose, I decide to have a computer repairman look at my 360. Just having the Video go blank seemed like there might be something loose on the board that would be easily repaired. As I am having him look at it, Microsoft changes directions and includes Shipping and 1 year warranty with all repairs, INCLUDING THOSE NOT CURRENTLY UNDER WARRANTY! Yeah!

I call XCS again and explain the above background, that I had a repairman look at my machine and the "Pissing in the wind" story and she says it is not a problem, that it will be repaired under the new notice. I explain I am going to have to wait to get the repair as I am trying to keep credit card debt under control. She said no problem and that I should complain about the "PITW" customer service guy.

Cut to 4:00pm est. on May 11th, it is my birthday witch is ironic seeing as how this is my Birthday present from 2 years ago. I call in to finally get it repaired. I give them my information and explain the above fun. Renzie informs me they will not help me. He is polite enough. I explain the previous call and he tells me he has no records of any call other than "David" in March and there is nothing that will be done with this Xbox. They consider removing anything tampering and it will not be looked at by Microsoft. I as for a Supervisor.

I got Jose. At 4:27 pm eastern standard time, I got Jose on the line

Jose gets on the phone and tells me in no uncertain terms that it is not going to happen. He is rude from the get go. He says I tampered with it so he will not authorize anything. I tried to explain that I was had a computer professional see if it was repairable. He said he didn't care, it was tampered with, No repairs. I said what was stopping me from buying a PS3 and leaving my "brick" behind. He then told me that it was my choice if I wanted to do this.

I asked for his supervisor. He said "I am the supervisor." I reiterated that I wanted to speak with his boss. He informed me that I was not going any higher up that he was the end of my line. He then gave me a "circle warning" and I would get only one more. He said, " we have delt with this issue and we will not revisit it again. If you bring it back up I will hang up on you."

Then he said it. The reason I am writing this to you.

"Is there anything else I can help you with... and by the way I am laughing at you."

I responded, "you are what?"

And he enunciated, "I am laughing at YOU."

And then he hung up.

That is it. The end of the conversation with Microsoft Xbox 360 support.

Any idea who I go to now?

Stop us if you heard this one before, but it seems like the simple solution here is to call back and simply not disclose that anyone else opened the console...?

When we tell this to Richard, he replies, "Actually they are sending them back untouched and still charging the card. Plus I believe they flagged my serial number.

I am assuming the flagging because they said the name of the PITW guy and mentioned notes. I am guessing there are notes on this one.

What I was asking for was the "shipping and 1 year warranty with all repairs, including those not currently under warranty." but They said if it was opened they would not look at it, that "they would just send it back without looking at it."

Not trying to be a bother. Just at a loss."

Well, shoot then. Is Richard screwed? Or will he live to Marvel Alliance again, with both sight AND sound? — BEN POPKEN

UPDATE: Reader DjDynasty writes: "800-426-9400 Microsoft Parts Replacement, they can get you to supervisors who care."

Wiis At Target This Sunday

Ben Popken — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 00:53:07 EDT

At least 60 Wiis will be arriving and selling at Target stores this Sunday, according to an inside source.

They will be sold on a first come, first serve, basis with tickets handed out to people standing in line.

The sale should be announced in this Sunday's circular.

Our Midwest region source says she saw a memo on her manager's desk, labeled "strictly confidential," announcing the sale. She tried to snap a cameraphone picture (above) of the memo, but said the manager was stalking her all night so she only able to get this Loch Ness type shot.

Explanation of the memo text above: The insider says the memo is instructing any stores that have Wiis to pull them from the shelves, then put them back on when the new shipment comes on Sunday.

The Original Wii Locator also says EB/Gamestops are rumored to have Wiis in store for this Sunday as well. A commenter on Go Nintendo says they're slated for Circuit City.

Is there a massive Wii sale in the works for Sunday? — BEN POPKEN

9 Insider Secrets From A Retail Video Game Salesman

Ben Popken — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:52:15 EST

A salesman working at a popular video game store shares nine insider tips for customers:

1. Extended warranties are usually unnecessary. Nintendo and Sony have one-year warranties on their systems. Microsoft recently extended their 360 warranties from 90 days to a year. Most broken systems stop working before the year's end. Nintendo has the fewest issues and best customer support, in my personal experience.

Eight more, inside...

(Photo: Tengaport)

I've worked for a pretty popular video game retailer for almost two years. I've worked on more than one location, and I've had plenty of encounters with various levels of management. I thought that Consumerist readers might be interested in hearing some of the things that go on inside these sorts of companies - practices, policies, etc.

2. Having a game reserved does not guarantee you will get it on launch. We over-reserve games all the time. Systems are even worse. It's an unfortunate fact that, while the pre-order system is useful and helps a lot, any company that guarantees the game if you pre-order it is lying to you. They can't guarantee it, and what's worse, it's often first come first serve for those that did.

3. Customer Service hotlines are powerful weapons. I once witnessed a man get a 360 premium system on launch day, despite being about 30th on our reserve list (we got 10 in our allocation) because he called and complained to the Customer Service hotline. Every time I've heard of a customer calling to complain, our higher managers bends over backwards to accommodate the customer. It's almost sick. Please - use this power for good and not for evil.

4. Stores MUST honor signage. I've seen a $60 game placed in the hole where a $19.99 game was displayed, and we were forced to honor that price. I refuse to do this to stores on a matter of karma, but if you really feel like it, you can get the prince advertised, even if it's a mistake.

5. We are often told to bundle as a RULE. I know of stores that refused to sell any high-demand system (Wii, 360, etc) to someone who didn't purchase their membership card, and who refused to tack on at least $200 in accessories/games. Attach rate is how many stores are ranked in terms of priority for getting new shipments - those with higher rates of accessory sales get systems faster because those items are quite profitable.

6. Used game sales are a game retailer's biggest source of profit. Companies like GameStop, EB Games, and Gamecrazy generate the largest margins through selling used games. If we give you $2 cash or $3 store credit for a game, most likely we'll be putting it on the shelves for $14.99. These companies would RATHER sell you the used copy than the new, because they make more money on the used.

7. Membership card = Customer Retention tool. If you already shelled out $20 for a membership to one of our "clubs," chances are you're gonna return to our store. Ever notice how we rarely give discounts off new games with those memberships? Again, it's all about the used game sales. We can afford to give you 10% off used games because we're still making a ridiculous amount of profit. I had one manager who refused to hire anyone who didn't shell out $20 for the card.

That being said - sometimes these cards end up being worth it. I've had people come up and buy $300 in used Xbox 360 games - at that point, the 10% off is actually LESS than they'd pay without the card. My advice? Don't be swayed unless you're getting your money's worth from the start, or you KNOW you intend to make a big used purchase soon.

8. Employees are ranked. Companies often rank employees by various metrics: the number of membership cards they sell, the number of games they convince customers to reserve/preorder, the number of extended warranties they can sell, their "attach rate" (adding accessories, strategy guides, and other profitable items to games and systems), their ratio of new to used sales, and (especially during the holidays) the number of gift cards they sell. Management will use these numbers to determine job performance, and they can influence raises/promotions/threats of being fired. Some of these items are even commissioned.

9. KNOW THE RETURN POLICY. Most stores have very generous used game return policies, but not always. Know the return policy and don't expect a retailer to bend it to your will: Management are draconian about returning stuff beyond set dates, and it can hurt employees to violate that policy. Most of the time, an exchange or trading the game in (at a significantly reduced price) will be your only option.

Working at a video game store isn't always bad - I get to discuss a topic I'm passionate about with people who are the same. And nothing beats the feeling of having someone come back into the store and exclaim: "That game you recommended was awesome! What else do you think I would like?" But for a lot of customers, it can be a frustrating experience to walk into the store and immediately be bombarded by high-pressure sales pitches aimed at nothing but the company's bottom line. Try not to let these people get to you: I guarantee at least as much pressure is being directed at the cashier by management as he or she is leveling towards you. Just remain calm, put your game face on, and don't buy anything you didn't want when you walked in!

Happy gaming, everyone!

Thanks, Anonymous! We love hearing from people on the inside. — BEN POPKEN

The Xbox360 Fiasco

Ben Popken — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:11:59 EST

This is Tim's tale of Xbox360 woe at the hands of Walmart.

Tim just wanted to play Viva Pi ata on his new Xbox360. Only problem is that it came without a controller. So he returned it to Walmart. The next Xbox he bought had the "ring of death" failure. Another return. He tested the next one in-store, and it was fine, only to return home and have it not work when he tried to play any games on it. So he returned everything to Walmart, including games, got all his money back, and bought everything a GameStop.

Then he happily played Viva Pi ata all day long.

All told, with driving back and forth, Tim spent 6 hours trying to get a working system and games.

Upshot: ~~Walmart is probably stocking Xbox360 returns without checking for defects.~~ Microsoft shoved a defective product out the door. — BEN POPKEN

Sony PSP Flog Removed

Ben Popken — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:26:30 EST

Sony stripped the PSP flog from the internet this afternoon.

In its place, nothing. Just white. Alliwantforxmasisapsp.com, the former gaping eyesore is now a bed of purest snow.

Good thing we had the foresight to make a copy of it. — BEN POPKEN

PSP Flog Not Greg Meyerkord's Fault

Ben Popken — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 08:59:45 EST

Greg Meyerkord, the man whose name appears on the PSP flog domain registration, has put up a website to debunk all the haters.

Its title is, "alliwantforxmasistobeleftalone." To wit:

1) Account Executives would contact me by phone or email with requests for domains they needed registered.
2) I would then register the domain names and reply to them in an email that the domains were registered.
3) I would then snap, clap, and flourish my hands..."

Now that he's unmasked the banal process, Greg would like a little peace and quiet.

"I'd like to be left alone," he writes. "The damage has been done. I can't erase the pages of posts. I can't be uncalled a douchebag. I can't be uncalled a lot of names I've been called through the years, but at least the people calling me those names had an idea of who I was."

Beware. The internet has several pairs of meanypants. — BEN POPKEN