SO DAMNED ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED!

[franglen]

Why do the PC Game makers presume that everybody who buys one of their games has an Internet

connection? Or why do they presume that everybody wants to play online? There would be more

people who want to play offline and in singleplayer campaigns than those who play online. All I can

say is that UBI and all the others deserve to go broke with their holier than thou attitude.

I do NOT play online and my Game Computer is not even connected to the Internet and will NOT be!

The computer I use for the internet wouldn't even support installing these games let alone play them.

I am sorry if I sound like a whinger but I am in my sixties and I am a chronic pain sufferer due to a

serious spinal injury and arthritis. I have been on heavy duty pain medication 24/7 since 1994 and am

a disability support pensioner.

I enjoy playing FPS games and Microsoft Flight Simulator. They are a good distraction and help take

my mind off the pain. A government drug medication chemist I had to see said it was good therapy

and advised me to continue playing my games on the computer.

Just before Christmas my wife bought me 3 new games that she knew I had been wishing for.

They were 'GHOST RECON FUTURE SOLDIER', 'SNIPER GHOST WARRIOR' and 'SNIPER ELITE V2'

They were on special and she paid out $81AU total for the 3 games. We also got a pensioner discount.

But $81 is still a lot of money to us.

I was so excited to have a change from Ghost Recon/DS & IT. But that was soon brought to dismay

and anger!

I tried to install 'Sniper Ghost Warrior' first. Something called 'STEAM' installed and when I clicked on it

I was told I needed an Internet connection to continue the installation. I then read the DVD cases for the other 2 games and they also say I need an internet connection to 'ACTIVATE' the games. I didn't even bother trying to install the other 2 games. We returned them to the shop and got our money back!

The guy in the shop said it's because of piracy that everything has to be activated online.

All I can say is "GO PIRATES" if this is the way these companies are going to treat honest people.

The amount of honest people out there sure outweighs the scumbags from what I have seen on

different forums on various sites.

Another insult is that GRFS was promoed as XP Playable but the box said Will not play on XP.

The ridiculous amount that Telstra/Optus and the rest in Australia charges for Broadband puts a stop to

most families going anywhere the internet. We were on Dialup from 2000 to 2011 because we couldn't

afford Broadband. I don't know how much they pay overseas but Australian Broadband prices are

bloody ridiculous. Even with the pension discount.

Plus the majority of people I speak to don't even want to play online.

SHAME on UBI/ACTIVISION/STEAM and all the other game makers. If people had the guts to stand up

to these rogues and refuse to buy their games until they treated people with respect they would soon

change their attitudes when the $$$$ stopped rolling in.

It's back to GR and the olders FPS games for me because they won't be getting any more $$$ out of

me until they change their attitudes! Not only that but you don't have to press as many keys from what

I've seen of the newer stuff.

A VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FED UP Franglen.

[Operative]

I feel your pain. This is when I agree on using 'cracks' or other deemed illegal softwares. I mean, you bought original copies of the games, and yet they punish you for it?

About the broadband price, I also feel your pain, it's well overpriced here in Brazil too!

[RileyFletcher_01]

I totally agree with everything said. I hate Steam more than anything.

[KRP 56]

Kinda sounds like me. My net PC is not so hot for gaming and my gaming PC has no net connection.It also really burns me that I can't play the single player portions without jumping through a bunch of hoops! Don't think they will ever go back to the good old days where if you bought PC game,all you had to do was install it and play till your heart was content.

[Hammer]

Well im in the UK so i cant comment on ISP prices were you guys are,

But i will agree with everything else thats been said. Its very anoying that people who only want to play SP have to go through all this crap..

I would also like to vent my frustration at the fact, that the SP portions of FPS games are taking a back seat to the MP part of the game with very little in the way of game play. The last COD i played seemed to have more cut scene content that actual game play content. When i say game play i mean actual play, not sitting there watching a cut scene & then being told to "walk over there a tap F " only for it to go into another cut scene. Im about done with this type of gaming. I will stick with my GR and flight sims, unless something new arrives with real SP content..But im not going to hold by breath.

Edited December 28, 2012 by Hammer

[Blame]

I like SP more, but over time it just get's way too booring and talking about prices for GR:FS, last week I saw the price tags for PC: 31,99 Euros , xbox360/ps3: 63,99 Euros, PC games are like half the price for consoles :s and you get also better graphics.

[WytchDokta]

I like SP more, but over time it just get's way too booring and talking about prices for GR:FS, last week I saw the price tags for PC: 31,99 Euros , xbox360/ps3: 63,99 Euros, PC games are like half the price for consoles :s and you get also better graphics.

Yes, but graphics doesn't make a game. There's more to it than that. Don't tell me you're also one of these players who judges games based solely on graphics alone?

Edited December 28, 2012 by WytchDokta

[Blame]

Nope, I don't because my game will run at like 15 fps max settings, I usually use minimum/medium.

[franglen]

I know I'm sounding like an old windbag but please take note of what I have to say. Especially you younger folk out there.

Something else that I noticed when trying to install the game was that if I refused to agree to install STEAM then the installation was immediately cancelled. So I installed it and when I hit the exe I was told I needed an internet account to proceed with my installation.

I have a few older UBI and other brand name games and all I had to do was install the game serial number during installation.

AND ONLY THEN was I ASKED if I would like to insatall Gamespy or whatever or to Register online for socalled extra benifits. If I refused there was no problem and I could play my games in peace.

I migt also mention that I bought FSX GOLD over a yera ago for $19 and had no problem activating it OFFLINE!

MICROSOFT GIVES YOU THE OPTION OF DIALLING A 1800 NUMBER TO ACTIVATE THEIR PRODUCTS!

Granted........you have to copy out about 30-40? numbers, BUT THAT IS PREFERRABLE TO THE GARBAGE WE ARE FORCED TO ENDURE BY UBI/EA/ACTIVISION ETC!!!

I have one daughter with 6 kids and another with two and the only reason they(my daughters) and their friends have an internet installation is to stay in touch with their families and so that their high school age kids can do research for their school projects. They can only afford the basic of basics for the internet. I find that you would be lucky to find one in maybe five houses that have an internet connection. And that connection is NOT for playing online games!

A lot of teens say they don't buy games because they don't have internet and can't Activate the game.

If they didn't have to go online then they would buy games..."NO PROBLEM!" they say.

So how in heavens name are these companies maing money???

Wii/XBox/Playstation etc??? Most people I speak to can't afford to buy these luxuries. They are too busy trying to feed themselves and families and pay the bills to "Worry about affording that sort of thing!"

People just don't have the money to afford the internet but every time you turn on the TV the advertisers give you a website to go online to buy their product with your credit card(Cashless Society).

I know someoone who is an IT Security expert and he said he would NOT do ANY online financial transactions. He also advised against giving out ANY personal information online because the scammers and scumbags are just sitting there waiting for the opportunity to hack your bank and personal accounts!

SO BE WARNED. He also said to MAKE SURE to try and have a PASSWORD that is wery difficult to crack.

eg; Mix up the @%$#/caps and low case etc as much as you can to make it more difficult to be hacked.

Just think every time we join a a forum or register a game online somebody out there has got you by the short and curlies! All they need is your name/age/nad address and Bank Account and you will suddenly find yourself with a $20,000 debt you didn't know you had until you get the statement in the mail.

I wish I knew how to get a petition started to present to UBI and the rest protesting against their unscrupulous behaviour towards those of us who just want a fair go for a change! Any ideas?

I hope and pray that what I have written here makes some sense to someone?

All the Best from

Franglen the old windbag.

Edited December 28, 2012 by franglen

[Rocky]

I hate Steam more than anything.

That's a crazy thing to say, Steam is fantastic, do you have any idea how many PC games I have at absolutely massive discounts, including the full GR series, for basically pennies, thanks to regualr steam sales? Do you have any inkling how fantastic it is to have your game saves auto-sync to the steam cloud so I never have to worry about where the goddam save games are to back them up? Do you know how cool it is to have you entire games library at your finger tips right after every OS reinstall?

Steam is fantastic and is not the issue here at all.

Riely, your frustration is way off target.

Regarding online activation of games

You CAN play steam games without a connection, it's called offline mode, however, you do (obviously) need an internet connection to create an account with a digital distribution store

I don't see a problem with that, the world is going connected, has been for well over a decade, sorry.

BUT, the problem is the ASSUMPTION by publishers that everyone has a connection so they can enable games. Not only is that a big ass assumption. but it is a kick in the groin to people like the OP here who does not have a connection, for very valid reasons.

Here's the deal breaker, publishers spend MILLIONS on games, and they are trying to tell us that they cannot SOMEHOW accommodate people like fraglen?

Of course they could, if they wanted.

I'd love to see a response from Ubisoft to Fraglen's post.

[RileyFletcher_01]

About Steam.....

It is trying to get me to download a 14gb update for a game and that is out of the question. It won't let me cancel it and nobody on any forums can help me. That's one of the many reasons why it drives me nuts.

[petsfed]

I've never really minded having the internet connection, but then, I was only able to afford a second PC 2 years ago. I've been using PCs for more than 20 years now and the whole time, choosing not to connect my "gaming" PC meant not having internet connection period.

Not only are you in the minority RE: total absence of internet connection on your gaming PC, you're in such a tiny minority as to be not worth catering to anymore. You can't get parts from the manufacturer for a Ford Pinto anymore, for the same reason. I'm sorry that you got screwed, but it says right on the box "internet connection required for activation". Caveat Emptor, right?

[Operative]

The only thing that keeps me away from steam is that they can simply pull a game out of their library. Don't know how it works or if it has already been done, but it's part of the customer agreement. Probably if a game is too old or too unpopular they just take it down.

[franglen]

WOW! I seem to have stirred the porridge a bit fellas! Sincerely sorry about that.(NOT ). But it's good to get different views. It seems we have the haves and the have nots.

@ petsfed QUOTE:"I'm sorry that you got screwed, but it says right on the box "internet connection required for activation". Caveat Emptor, right?'

That is exactly why I did not even unwrap the plastic from the packages and they were returned to the store for a refund. 'Sniper Ghost Warrior' did not state this on the package to my memory. If it did then it would not have been opened either. So I am not as dumb as you may think. As stated my wife bought these games for me and is completely computer iliterate. Why don't store employees tell people that they have to have an internet connection? Is it because most employees couldn't give two stuffs about customers anymore?

BTW: I didn't get screwed by them I got my $81 back. So it's THEIR LOSS.

And Quote "Not only are you in the minority RE: total absence of internet connection on your gaming PC, you're in such a tiny minority as to be not worth catering to anymore."

I don't mean to sound dumb but what does the "RE" after minority mean? So many damned abbreviations these days. You should see me trying to work out the texts my daughter sends to my mobile phone!

As also stated the majority of people I know and have spoken to can't even afford the internet so I don't see how I am a minority just because choose not to connect my games computer to the internet. I am not the only from what I have read even on this thread.

How many more $$$$ have they lost because of their arrogance towards the socalled "MINORITY"? Which I would actually challenge you to prove. I would say we are the MAJORITY if the information I have received from people is correct and I don't see why they would lie about it.

QUOTE" Caveat Emptor, right? " CORRECT IF THEY PRINT IT ON THE PACKAGE LARGE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SEE IT!

OR IF THEY PRINT IT THERE AT ALL?

I am honestly sorry if I seem to taking it out on you matey. It is definitely NOT my intention to upset you or anyone and please forgive me if I have.

@ Rocky: QUOTE: "You CAN play steam games without a connection, it's called offline mode, however, you do (obviously) need an internet connection to create an account with a digital distribution store "

I appreciate the offline mode. What I don't appreciate is being DENIED THE OPTION of being able to install the game which is on the DVD until I secure an internet connection with STEAM. Where is my offline right there?

I can understand poor young Riley's frustration and anger at STEAM. Shouldn't WE have the right to decide if we want to install an update or not instead of having it forced upon us?

14 GIGABYTES IS ONE HELL OF A LARGE DOWNLOAD!!! MAN!!! I MYSELF only have a 5 GIG monthly allowance, and without a pension discount that would be costing me $49.95 a month! I have just blown 4.5 GIGABYTES of that download in 9days just using this forum and downloading some MODS for Ghost Recon. So I have to use the other 500 MEGABYTES VERRRRRYYY SPARINGLY if I want it to last until 20th January 2013.

I don't know how much download this kid has got but unless he is rolling in loot and has unlimited download then I doubt that he can do it. He said he can't and I believe him.

AND QUOTE: "Here's the deal breaker, publishers spend MILLIONS on games, and they are trying to tell us that they cannot SOMEHOW accommodate people like fraglen?

Of course they could, if they wanted.

I'd love to see a response from Ubisoft to Franglen's post.

Rocky...I went to UBI's site both here in OZ and also the main site to try and put this to them. But it seems they dont' want to be contacted. NO email address that I could see.

But I also checked out the UBI forums and was surprised at the complaints about them and their support to their customers. What a disgraceful way to run a business. They do NOT givce a damn about the people who buy their product! Thanks for the cash but now just POQ and DCB.

I would dare tosay that UBI will be going down the drain very fast if they don't change their attitude to the customer and pretty damned quick smart too!!!

Time to post this barrage now I guesss...Hope there are no 82 Barrett snipers out there.

Bless y'all

Cranky Frankie

[RileyFletcher_01]

WOW! I seem to have stirred the porridge a bit fellas! Sincerely sorry about that.(NOT )

I enjoy a good debate. Not a problem

Why don't store employees tell people that they have to have an internet connection? Is it because most employees couldn't give two stuffs about customers anymore?

Two reasons I can think of:

1. They assume most people who are buying games would know that.

2. Almost EVERY game sold in stores nowadays require an internet connection as far as I know.

I don't mean to sound dumb but what does the "RE" after minority mean? So many damned abbreviations these days. You should see me trying to work out the texts my daughter sends to my mobile phone!

I know. You have to have an abbreviation dictionary opened on another tab to read half the posts around here.

As also stated the majority of people I know and have spoken to can't even afford the internet so I don't see how I am a minority just because choose not to connect my games computer to the internet. I am not the only from what I have read even on this thread.

Agreed. I know quite a few guys on this forum alone that have internet connections but still cannot play online or afford to download a bunch of huge updates/programs/other new stuff.

How many more $$$$ have they lost because of their arrogance towards the socalled "MINORITY"? Which I would actually challenge you to prove. I would say we are the MAJORITY if the information I have received from people is correct and I don't see why they would lie about it.

They also lost my business because I refuse to buy any games that won't let me install them on another PC or easily reinstall them. I understand the concept, and it is effective in keeping you from installing the games on multiple machines, but it is more of an annoyance to me.

I appreciate the offline mode. What I don't appreciate is being DENIED THE OPTION of being able to install the game which is on the DVD until I secure an internet connection with STEAM. Where is my offline right there?

I don't like any games that make me work through the internet. The only reason I should have to have an internet connection for a game is when it is being played in online multiplayer mode. Totally agree.

can understand poor young Riley's frustration and anger at STEAM. Shouldn't WE have the right to decide if we want to install an update or not instead of having it forced upon us?

14 GIGABYTES IS ONE HELL OF A LARGE DOWNLOAD!!! MAN!!! I MYSELF only have a 5 GIG monthly allowance, and without a pension discount that would be costing me $49.95 a month! I have just blown 4.5 GIGABYTES of that download in 9days just using this forum and downloading some MODS for Ghost Recon. So I have to use the other 500 MEGABYTES VERRRRRYYY SPARINGLY if I want it to last until 20th January 2013.

I despise automatic updating. I have it disabled on my computer and usually ignore any update notices for any other programs. Call me ignorant, but any program that is connecting to the internet and downloading a ton of crap by itself is not something I like. It also drains my internet data allowance without me knowing.

I don't know how much download this kid has got but unless he is rolling in loot and has unlimited download then I doubt that he can do it. He said he can't and I believe him.

Leaving me with a $60 game I can't play. Back to Ghost Recon, huh?

But I also checked out the UBI forums and was surprised at the complaints about them and their support to their customers. What a disgraceful way to run a business. They do NOT givce a damn about the people who buy their product! Thanks for the cash but now just POQ and DCB.

It gets worse. Check out the Future Solider forum on this site and see just how bad it can be.

Time to post this barrage now I guesss...Hope there are no 82 Barrett snipers out there.

Nope, everyone here uses the OICW grenade launcher.

EDIT:

It might be easier to read your posts if you didn't use caps lock so much. There's also a 'QUOTE' button at the second toolbar on the bottom of the posting screen that you can use like I did in this post.

Edited December 29, 2012 by RileyFletcher_01

[franglen]

Point taken Riley. I used the caps to try an emphasise my point without using foul language as I find some like to do. Some one said using caps is equivelant to shouting. I guess i am trying to shout it from the rooftops. I'm going to look into how to get an online petition going and as each one signs it or adds to it tey just forward it on and als send it straight to UBI etc if I can get hold of their contact email addresses. From what I see their forums are the only forms of communication and they don't seem to take much notice there do they!

The main reason I even have an internet connection is to keep in touch with some cousins I have over there in Waynesboro, Virginia. My dads sister went over to the US in 1948 as a war bride and never came back to Australia. I found her through a family tree search on the web and was the firstfrom the family in Australia to speak to her in person(Albeit via a camera and Yahoo messenger)since she left OZ.

I found I have 13 direct cousins I didn't know I had.So ther are sooome good points about the Internet.

I installed XP Home SP2 which I own onto my games computer when I got it. I have not put any updates on it except for the dot.net which is needed for some things.

Bless ya mate

Franglen down under.

[RileyFletcher_01]

You can always use bold

I highly doubt that a petition is going to work; if I recall correctly there was one awhile back related to Future Soldier and it didn't get enough signers or results.

[franglen]

What a shame. I envisioned UBI and the other sites being flooded with so many emails from angry protestors. I could see the tech guy going "aaaagh! not another one! I'm going home sick."

Dream on Frankie.....Dream on.

I guess the only way people know how to protest today is to go out and smash everything up and loot everything. Then say what a great time they had. Something I'll never understand.

[petsfed]

RE: means "regarding" and has been used as a reply header since people were speaking Latin in Rome. Its also very common in the subject line of emails.

I meant that I'm sorry you got screwed out of playing a game, refund not withstanding.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not an online gamer in any sense of the word, and I do resent sending good campaigns to the back burner in the name of online play. But even in that respect, i recognize that I am in the minority. Otherwise, they wouldn't keep making 5 hour campaigns and selling them for $60 US. A PC player without any kind of internet service in the States (which is the principal PC market) is basically unheard of. I was the last such person I knew some 15 years ago.