Game refunds vs Patch ETA?

[migeater1979]

What I would like to know, is the ETA of the said patch to fix the initial BIG issues this release has.

Consumers in the UK have 28 days to return a product. If you can clarify that the patch will be released within the next month, then I cannot see a problem - I will wait. But if this patch is further away on the horizon, i.e 2-3 months we should be told that we are buying an in-complete product, that way ... we (the consumer) have the choice to wait, then buyat a later date.

Certain GAME companies have now created a policy which makes the return of a product which the consumer does not consider worthy of their money, almost impossible if we break the GAME companies / suppliers original seal.

In this instance, where do we ... the consumers stand ?

[lubecknj]

Up poo creek without a paddle.

[ElKeeed]

Thats why you buy online from somewhere like play.com instead. Not only is it cheaper but under the distance selling act you get 7 days to return it for any reason whatsoever, opened or not.

[TheRealPotoroo]

Originally posted by migeater1979:
Certain GAME companies have now created a policy which makes the return of a product which the consumer does not consider worthy of their money, almost impossible if we break the GAME companies / suppliers original seal.

In this instance, where do we ... the consumers stand ?
You need to check the relevant fair trading law in your country first. Manufacturers and retailers frequently try to bully or bluff people into accepting terms and conditions that are in fact illegal under the relevant laws. For example, there's no way you can know if a CD/DVD is faulty if you don't break the seal and try it. Therefore, such a requirement by the manufacturer breaches the statutory conditions provisions of the Trade Practices Act here in Australia. However, you'll have a harder time arguing that bugs constitute a fault under those provisions than an actual physical defect with the disk. That's where you need qualified legal advice.

[cgarossi]

In the UK you may return the game to the retailer with all packaging (sealed or unsealed) within 7 days of purchase for a full refund or an exchange. Thats your right. Unless an alternative returns policy is displayed PROMINENTLY in the shop so you are aware of it.

After 7 days you are in warranty territory. Returns are made under those terms which no one ever reads.

[Goosen83]

If you want to return the game based on when a patch is coming you might as well return it now. Then if a patch comes out and you get the urges you can buy it again.

[Lokki1980]

In UK normally it does not matter what the company says. You still have your statutary rights.

eg car park says no responsibility for damage etc will not stand up in court if car park owners have cxontributed in someway to the damage

Most companies will try to fob people off by including legal speak, packaging opening etc BUT if the good are not fit for the purpose intended or advertised statutary rights take precidence.

Wouldn't it be fun for a class action of thousands against Ubi. Joking aside its what makes companies get their act together or go bust

[cgarossi]

Im sure Ubi have an army of lawyers.

Lets face it, the game is out before its finished. Deadline met, budget exceeded.

Theres probably a handfull of staff at the devs offices working away on the bug fixes and patches. Even that has a limited time and budget. Its Ubi that pumps in the cash for R&D and its ultimately they who have the last say on when and how its released.

As a programmer myself (not for games) I often have to work to unrealistic deadlines. Work that isnt completely finished have to be botched together with bits of spit and twigs then pushed out the door. Then we wait for the bug reports to come in, we have to fix those first to keep the customer happy and then we work on new features if we ever get time. We've taken on two new developers in the last 2 months and both of them are working on fixes when they were both originally intended to handle feature creep.

Life as a developer sucks. But well paid http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Lokki1980]

Reminds me of a computer company we used to code an office admin package, we were to busy programming the software we sold!

We knew we were paying over the odds but wanted a quick fix without depleting our own resources. Package came, inststalled and useless. Worse than the beta they'd shown us! We were rather peeved. (and embarassed) their attitude was terrible, even trying to confuse us over programing issues! So that was that. Straight to court, sued them won back all monies paid and damages towards loss of productivity. To my knoweldge two of their developers still work in the field. One of the directors now works in a bar the other two who knows or cares. Its very simple supply shoddy goods, lose business, get sued, lose company. If i supllied rubbish and got sued noone to blame but myself.

[cgarossi]

We dont deviate at all from spec now unless major talks with the customers about what they actually want, and thats the hardest thing to nail down.

SH4 is fit for purpose in my mind. Not every person who bought this game are on these boards. The population of the boards probably accounts for 5% of the total sales so far, and of those around 30% are complaints and of those theres a small fraction that wants a refund as most are willing to sit it out for a patch. And even most those couldnt tell a torpedo from cheese and ham sub roll.

Retail software is a completely different animal to the bespoke stuff I write.

[Lokki1980]

Sorry Pal I didnt leave computing get a law degree and find i didnt know what im talking about "Not fit for purpose" apllies and will stand up in court.