Game UK won't be selling Mass Effect 3
- Thread starter Servo
- Start date
^Yes, if you've pre-ordered the game from amazon, you'll be emailed a code on the 9th for the N7 Wargear, which as I said above, includes the Argus rifle.
The thing with Game was only really a problem for people like myself who had already pre-ordered the N7 Collector's Edition from Game (the *only* UK retailer that was supplying it up until a few days ago.)
Personally, I didn't have too much trouble as I heard about it soon enough to re-order on Amazon before they sold out. Others weren't so lucky and considering a lot of them placed their orders as far back as June, it's understandable that the sudden cancellation was a bit of a shock.
Of course, people being people, some very quickly took advantage and started ordering multiple copies that instantly appeared on eBay for outrageous asking prices. Some retailers managed to catch on to this fairly quickly and there have been a number of reports of multiple orders being canceled. Of course to a man, every one who reported this as far as I've seen swear blind that their extras were "supposed to be gifts."
The thing with Game was only really a problem for people like myself who had already pre-ordered the N7 Collector's Edition from Game (the *only* UK retailer that was supplying it up until a few days ago.)
Personally, I didn't have too much trouble as I heard about it soon enough to re-order on Amazon before they sold out. Others weren't so lucky and considering a lot of them placed their orders as far back as June, it's understandable that the sudden cancellation was a bit of a shock.
Of course, people being people, some very quickly took advantage and started ordering multiple copies that instantly appeared on eBay for outrageous asking prices. Some retailers managed to catch on to this fairly quickly and there have been a number of reports of multiple orders being canceled. Of course to a man, every one who reported this as far as I've seen swear blind that their extras were "supposed to be gifts."
If they offered you more physical doodads to go with the game, I'd buy a physical copy. Older games used to come with all sorts of feelies; I was pleasantly surprised when I got the original Deus Ex and it had that awesome in-character newspaper.
However, other than that I much prefer digital distribution. Less pain in the ass to constantly switch CDs during install, enter codes and all that.
However, other than that I much prefer digital distribution. Less pain in the ass to constantly switch CDs during install, enter codes and all that.
I went for a physical copy in this instance for a couple of reasons. First off, it's the last in the trilogy and since I bought the last two on steam I thought it'd be nice to have at least one on disc. Secondly, steam is not an option with this game and I don't trust Origin not to suddenly disappear in a few years, taking my game with it. And finally, because I had a fair bit of credit on Amazon from a gift voucher, so this was the cheaper option all round.
thats a shame i`v played 1 and 2 and really enjoyed them.
Of course technically Game by not be able to supply the game are in breach of contract, because a deposit was secured against it. So I think in theory people who had to pay more than what Game was charging or where unable to get it, could sue Game for additional costs involved in aquiring the game. (if though so desired)
Of course some people could boycott Game as a store and possible EA Games as a game studio.
Of course some people could boycott Game as a store and possible EA Games as a game studio.
^Some would argue that as it has been unable to supply one game I wanted (esp: As it is considered one of this years biggest games), why should I risk pre-ordering other games from them.
Whilst Game itself might not be directly at fault they haven't engaged in very good customer service. I only found out about it n a bulliten board despite them having contact details for me. They should have sent e-mails, Texts, letters etc.. To all those that had pre-ordered it with their reward card for whom they had contact details.
WHat will happen is they'll have a lot of disappointed customers come Friday who aren't aware of the situtation. Who will find it extremely hard to get a copy of the collectors edition they where expecting.
EA themselves haven't really been much help either, just a list of websites of stores that are now selling the collectors edition. Which are all sold out.
So it's a case of those that had pre-ordered the game months ago could have lost out through no fault of their own.
What could have been done, is for a code to be issued to those Game customers that they would use at another retailer nominated by EA Games i.e Amazon and X number of copies (equal to pre-orders) are held in reserve for those customers say until the end of the day on the 10th of March, after which they are released to the general customer.
That way the end customer is not left dissapointed by EA Games.
Whilst Game itself might not be directly at fault they haven't engaged in very good customer service. I only found out about it n a bulliten board despite them having contact details for me. They should have sent e-mails, Texts, letters etc.. To all those that had pre-ordered it with their reward card for whom they had contact details.
WHat will happen is they'll have a lot of disappointed customers come Friday who aren't aware of the situtation. Who will find it extremely hard to get a copy of the collectors edition they where expecting.
EA themselves haven't really been much help either, just a list of websites of stores that are now selling the collectors edition. Which are all sold out.
So it's a case of those that had pre-ordered the game months ago could have lost out through no fault of their own.
What could have been done, is for a code to be issued to those Game customers that they would use at another retailer nominated by EA Games i.e Amazon and X number of copies (equal to pre-orders) are held in reserve for those customers say until the end of the day on the 10th of March, after which they are released to the general customer.
That way the end customer is not left dissapointed by EA Games.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I did get a cancellation email for my pre-order, and a code for a £5 voucher on their online shop. From what I gathered from the bioware forums, so did everyone else. Granted I was lucky to have gotten the mail when the CEs were still in stock on Amazon, but even if I'd missed out, I could hardly blame EA, or Game for the high demand of a limited edition product.
At the end of the day, while it's Game's fault that their business decisions have lead them to a point where they're unable to pay for new stock and the publishers are unwilling to extend them credit, you can hardly expect dozen of competing retailers to suddenly co-operate, overnight, in an unprecidented code redemption scheme. Business simply does not and cannot work that way. Indeed, I'm sure if you read the fine print of the pre-order agreement there's probably some clause that states that Game cannot guarantee the delivery of any product not currently in-stock and may cancel any pre-order without notice.
Of course, if someone has left a deposit then of course they're entitled to a full refund, but it's crazy to expect them to secure a new copy for you from a different retailer. That's not the service they agreed to provide. Now (speaking as someone that used to work in customer relations) if that seems unfair; tough.
The reality is that this all happened extremely fast. The email was sent out at around a quarter to three, I read it and re-ordered through amazon at about half six and when I happened to check back less than two hours later, they were sold out. All the while I saw the EA info page being updated every half hour or so, plus a lot of communication from EA or Bioware reps via twitter and the Bioware forums. This kept of for almost a solid 48 hours, which is about as long as it took for all the pre-order DLC entitlements to get sorted out.
I think, considering the circumstances, all parties did the best they could. As for EA Games as a corporation; I really don't think they give two shites about the relatively small group of potential customers caught out over this. Their product sold out after all, that makes for very happy shareholders.
At the end of the day, while it's Game's fault that their business decisions have lead them to a point where they're unable to pay for new stock and the publishers are unwilling to extend them credit, you can hardly expect dozen of competing retailers to suddenly co-operate, overnight, in an unprecidented code redemption scheme. Business simply does not and cannot work that way. Indeed, I'm sure if you read the fine print of the pre-order agreement there's probably some clause that states that Game cannot guarantee the delivery of any product not currently in-stock and may cancel any pre-order without notice.
Of course, if someone has left a deposit then of course they're entitled to a full refund, but it's crazy to expect them to secure a new copy for you from a different retailer. That's not the service they agreed to provide. Now (speaking as someone that used to work in customer relations) if that seems unfair; tough.
The reality is that this all happened extremely fast. The email was sent out at around a quarter to three, I read it and re-ordered through amazon at about half six and when I happened to check back less than two hours later, they were sold out. All the while I saw the EA info page being updated every half hour or so, plus a lot of communication from EA or Bioware reps via twitter and the Bioware forums. This kept of for almost a solid 48 hours, which is about as long as it took for all the pre-order DLC entitlements to get sorted out.
I think, considering the circumstances, all parties did the best they could. As for EA Games as a corporation; I really don't think they give two shites about the relatively small group of potential customers caught out over this. Their product sold out after all, that makes for very happy shareholders.
I would just like to note that my N7 edition arrived with me at work this afternoon, and is currently installing - two days before I would have done it had I still been with Game! (I'm a bit too scared to go into the other thread... 
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^Yeah, me too! 
Mine has been "dispatching soon" on Amazon all sodding day (I really ought to stop checking every half hour.) Not that I ever expected to arrive before Friday mind. I'm surprised (and a little jealous) you've gotten it a day early.
I blind posted this in the other thread too, but just in case any other PC gamers are missed it for fear of spoilers; here's a link to a free promo code that'll get you a unique sniper rifle. (PC only!)
You have to sign up for the Alienware newsletter/spam list but it's a small price to pay I think.
Mine has been "dispatching soon" on Amazon all sodding day (I really ought to stop checking every half hour.) Not that I ever expected to arrive before Friday mind. I'm surprised (and a little jealous) you've gotten it a day early.
I blind posted this in the other thread too, but just in case any other PC gamers are missed it for fear of spoilers; here's a link to a free promo code that'll get you a unique sniper rifle. (PC only!)
You have to sign up for the Alienware newsletter/spam list but it's a small price to pay I think.
My N7 edition arrived this morning too (along with the guide).
In theory, the game was supposed to arrive tomorrow and the guide on Monday, but I'm not going to complain. I'll probably still stick it on tomorrow though.
In theory, the game was supposed to arrive tomorrow and the guide on Monday, but I'm not going to complain. I'll probably still stick it on tomorrow though.
^Yeah, me too!
Mine has been "dispatching soon" on Amazon all sodding day (I really ought to stop checking every half hour.) Not that I ever expected to arrive before Friday mind. I'm surprised (and a little jealous) you've gotten it a day early.
TBH, I was worried that it wouldn't even arrive tomorrow (or that it would, but it wouldn't be delivered to my office at work before I left). Still, see below...
Yeah, I would wait, as you can't actually play it yet! Installed everything, ran Origin, got all the DLC, and then as soon as I click to start playing, a "Release Date Checker" pops up, and says I have to wait until midnight. Cheeky EA! I get in trouble because it arrived early?!
I'd heard something about that and didn't want to take the chance that Origin/EA may do something silly once I'd entered my key.
With regards the guide, I'm not going to look at that til I start my second run through
Would you believe the dispatch confirmation email came though just now, right as I was halfway through typing "it still hasn't dispatched yet." Spooky.
The time lock thing is a bit of a bugger and I'm not sure it should be allowed. I mean, OK, for the multiplayer side I can understand it because of the servers, but not the singleplayer. I mean what right do they have to tell you when you can and cannot play a game you own? Video game companies have a funny concept of what it means to sell something to someone.
The time lock thing is a bit of a bugger and I'm not sure it should be allowed. I mean, OK, for the multiplayer side I can understand it because of the servers, but not the singleplayer. I mean what right do they have to tell you when you can and cannot play a game you own? Video game companies have a funny concept of what it means to sell something to someone.
Gamestop rang me earlier to tell me that they received their shipment and my copy is sitting in their backroom waiting for tomorrow. Bah, it's literally five minutes away, sealed away and unplayed, but I'm not allowed to pick it up and give it the loving care it deserves because of the stupid release date. 
My collectors edition dispatched at 11ish this morning. Hopefully it will be here tomorrow.
Don't bother, they're shit. I've only played something like 300 hours between them. Not worth the money.
Hardly worth it then for a measly 300 hours. Seriously, I remember when games used to have longevity, unlike today's offerings that only cater to the ADD crowd. Bloody lazy devs.
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