I just purchased CM 10. The outside packaging says:

FREE Software By Email
*Shipping and handling charges may apply.
See inside for details.

There is nothing on the inside that talks about the free software? Waz up with that?

Amil

This doesn't sound familiar at all... Ubisoft has never made any kind of promise for "free software". If you purchased CM 10 as part of a bundled package or from a third-party reseller, you'll have to contact that company, not Ubisoft.

I wish I could attach a scanned image. IT shows

ChessMaster
10th Edition
over 5 million copies sold

Then it has this large red circle that says

Free Software
by Email
*Shipping & handling charges apply.
See inside for details.
9900-STK5

The front cover says UBISOFT. The back cover has a small icon for ENCORE, www.encoreusa.com.
Sounds like bait and switch.

Amil

No, there's no bait-and-switch; but it is confusing. Encore is the third-party reseller that is promising you the free software.

Here's what the situation probably is: Ubisoft needs to get rid of old titles, so they sell them to Encore at a very low price. Ubisoft gets some cash, as well as writing off any depreciation. Then Encore turns around and sells the titles for a price that is below the original retail value, but still high enough for them to make money. Everyone's happy.

My guess is that you probably have to go to Encore's site and register your copy of Chessmaster 10th Edition to get your "free" software.

Seems likely. I'll contact Encore, but won't be surprised if they say they don't know what the deal is. :-(

Not that I expect a whole lot, but it is a bit frustrating that you buy a product with this huge sticker on the front saying you get free software...and then find nothing in the packaging. The package was sealed so I know it wasn't opened previously.

Thanks for the detailed response. Take care.

Well, I did check their website... from what I can tell, the only "free" software are trial downloads... another case of, "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is."

Not to pry, but how much did you pay for this? If it was under $20 (the current Ubisoft price), then you did get a good deal, so you can at least be thankful for that.