It has become impossible...

Alias · 2004-01-16, 05:59 PM

To attain Planetside in (or around) my city. Perhaps impossible is stretching the truth a bit too far, but so ridiculous it's disheartening. If you feel like reading one of those tragic stories where luck just seems to kick you in the nuts and laugh hysterically then continue.

Let's start with some backhistory. I beta tested Planetside. I'm sitting next to my beta discs as we speak, thinking unsightly thoughts about them and the "You must purchase Planetside if you want to continue playing post beta." Which didn't bother me so much until now. Yes, Planetside has been out awhile, but I've only recently acquired a computer that could conceive running the game. After beta testing on a 1.3GHz TBird, GeForce 3 Ti/450 Golden Sample, with 512MB of SDRAM you can understand my feelings with playing the game with 300,000 more people and why I shouldn't purchase it just yet.
Moving on, I was patiently (not really) awaiting my next paycheck to go pick up Planetside and christen my computer "pwn". To be stunned when all eight copies of the game had mysteriously disappeared. My first, and last thought, about the game was it had been deshelved. I questioned the electronics employee "Are there still any copies of Planetside for the PC in stock?" to be met with a most applaudible reply "If they are not on the shelf, we've sold them all." As if that is the only alternative to games that are not on the shelf. Apparently, deshelving overstocked games is a thing of the past, replaced with the more effecient 'sell eight copies of a game that hasn't sold a single copy in the past month, overnight.' While supressing certain words that would certainly not land me any position to negotiate the actual location of the copies, I laughingly questioned the logic of the situation at hand. Her reply stood firm. Grudgingly I left the store and called the one in Waycross. "We don't carry that game anymore", Ah-Ha! A truthful reply.

Later that day, back at home, I checked the Sony Online Entertainment website to see I could digital download Planetside: Core Combat, but not the original game (and why the hell not?). I could, however, order it - even overnight for less than Wal-Mart was charging ($40.00 USD). So I emailed SOE questioning if I ordered it at that moment, or within the hour or so, would I receive it the next day. Apparently, processing time isn't considered in part of the overnight, as I had always assumed it had been.
Ok, I thought, I'll cheat. I called up my cousin who purchased Planetside to have his computer pull a Chernobyl upon double-clicking the Planetside icon. It appears SOE deactivated his account after the free month. So I set out to reactivate it to find that they had also unregistered his key. So apparently, his key as "already been used" but his account does not hold a valid Planetside subscription. I've now (being the other day) gone from aggravated to just pissed off. I might add that this deactivation was probably the day the names were freed up, the day I was paid, the day Wal-Mart deshelved the game, the day I discovered digital downloading was only available for the expansion, the day I discovered overnight really means "after we process it for two days".

I'm sure you can see the tensions that have developed inside me. I'm now paying for a $2000.00 computer that I can't even get Planetside on within the week. Patience may be a virtue, but it's certainly one that is followed by enough frustration to choke a horse. Well, I suppose that's my entire story. I just needed somewhere to vent.

If any of you know someone with an account they have given up on, one that SOE has not did to it what they did to my cousin's, I would be more than happy to "take it over", at least for a month or so, I'll have my own copy by then. I'm out.

Mood:

PS: I'll gladly pay $30 for an unused key, according to Wal-Mart online the game is $19.98, so you can make some extra cash, with little risk - if you feel like playing the trust game. I doubt this offer will be taken up though, still worth a shot.

Jagd · 2004-01-16, 06:21 PM

Dude, just get the WindowsXP trial, it lets you download the whole game. After the first month you start paying as per usual.

Rayder · 2004-01-16, 06:41 PM

The 7-Day trial is still up isn't it? If so, just d/l that.

Jagd · 2004-01-16, 06:46 PM

7-day is gone, but there is a WindowsXP 30-day trial that is still good. There is no longer any need to buy the original game box.

TheN00b · 2004-01-16, 07:49 PM

Or ya could just buy it off eBay for $20.00 like I did...

Alias · 2004-01-16, 08:29 PM

That trial ended a long time ago.

Microsoft today announced that Windows� XP users can now download the full version of PlanetSide through January 5th from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/g...s/xpextras.asp and play free for 30 days.

I downloaded it twice and it was not meant to be.

I can buy it from the SOE store for $19.99 USD, unused. I will most likely do this, as soon as possible, which at best will be Monday. I was merely looking for a way to play between those times, as well as, a way to vent.

Ghryphen · 2004-01-16, 08:38 PM

Still works for me. I had to setup a quick yahoo account to get the key, it didn't want to come to my normal addy.

http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/misc/dlx/planetside

Neon Apocalypse · 2004-01-16, 09:42 PM

ur angry?

i bet you cant image how i feel, my radeon 9600xt was ordered way before christmas only to get backordered, i waited a full month and now i have it, but the only problem is it doesnt work. hmm, thats funny, they send me something 1 month late and its defected. WTF!!!!!1111 Playing PS now isnt even that fun, my card is so slow i just get owned by some n00b with a JH everytime, how do u think i feel

XxXMaRiNeXxX · 2004-01-16, 09:56 PM

Just cuz hes carrying a jackhammer doesnt make him a newb...and My 9600XT kicks ass, good choice...bad store, i guess.

Alias · 2004-01-16, 11:34 PM

I have created a Yahoo account and will try one more time. I'll know tomorrow if it works.

Octavian · 2004-01-17, 04:26 AM

Originally Posted by TheN00b

Or ya could just buy it off eBay for $20.00 like I did...

Aww 20 dollars? I paid $36 on Ebay including postage and handling. Mind you, I live in Australia, so I was pretty desperate and was willing to pay any amount to get it.

Alias · 2004-01-17, 04:34 AM

Thank you, it seems I also had to get a Yahoo account to make it work. Magnificent. Forever in your debt. This has saved me time, grief, and money. Hip hip hooray!

Well, damn. I need a credit card, heh. A minor setback, time to consult family members.

(PS: 9800 Pro fo' life.

)