Asking for help! Trying to get a Beta key from digital UK PC Gamer

LZachariah · 2012-06-24, 04:08 PM

So, I just learned that my brother didn't get the message to buy a US PC Gamer back in February/March. So, as I continue fruitlessly to try and find a physical copy of the UK PC Gamer in a store somewhere in the US (i'm SURE i used to read issues of that magazine at Borders bookstore before they closed!) I'm trying to find out

1. How to buy a digital copy of the E-Zine.

and

2. How does this lead me to getting a beta key for my brother?

Any help would be deeply appreciated as I work to get my brother into Beta :-)

Thanks so much,

~Zachariah

noxious · 2012-06-24, 04:16 PM

Digital copies do not include a beta key. You must obtain a physical copy of the magazine.

LZachariah · 2012-06-24, 04:20 PM

Ugh. Good to know. Thank you so much, Noxious. Does anyone know of any US companies that stock it? So, far, I have "not" found it at Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Gamestop, or Barnes and Noble

~Zachariah

Goku · 2012-06-24, 04:28 PM

Highly doubt you are going to find them anywhere in store. Best luck is searching sites like Ebay or Amazon and potentially magazine stores. Maybe a few UK stores that ship to the US also.

bjorntju1 · 2012-06-24, 04:36 PM

You can actually buy the UK digital edition, and send an e-mail to get your key!

Hi guys,

To re-introduce myself: I'm Chris, I'm PCG's video editor, staff writer, and - most relevant to this - the guy who looks after the giftageddon mailbox. I'm currently doing my best to stay on top of hundreds of e-mails every day. This has been our most popular giveaway by a substantial factor, and I'm doing my best to make sure everyone gets their code: but as I'm only one person it does take time.

First up, Funkosapien - thanks for bringing that reply from the US store to my attention, as it explains why some people are concerned. Digital editions of the US mag traditionally have not included giveaways, but the UK edition does. If you've contacted the US store and received this response, please disregard it.

Second - XceL. I'm sorry that you haven't heard from us - I recognise your e-mail address, and thought I'd responded. Codes were sent out to iOS users earlier in the week, if you didn't get one please e-mail me directly at [email protected].

To stress: if you've purchased the magazine, we'll do our best to get you a code: but we're dealing with issues manually and this takes time. Some people have expressed the concern to me that they're 'first come, first served', and that getting your code registered early will increase your chance of early access. As far as we are aware, this is not the case: you just need to submit it before beta begins.

Once again, the PS2 beta isn't due to start for months. As long as you get a code within the next few weeks, your chances of taking part aren't affected. And you will get a code.

This giveaway has really highlighted the things we need to change and clarify about how we present codes, particularly with regard to digital editions of the magazine. Believe me, I'm very keen that we improve this, and all your feedback is being taken on board.

Thank you for your patience. Please pass this message on to anyone you know who is concerned about this.

Cheers,

Chris

http://www.pcgamer.com/forum/showpos...9&postcount=22

As in how to get them: http://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.u...right&ns_fee=0

Littleman · 2012-06-24, 05:18 PM

Wait... why mention missing the US PCGamer, then wonder about where to find the UK PCGamer magazine? I is confused @_@

P.S. I'm very easy to confuse.

Pyreal · 2012-06-24, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Littleman

Wait... why mention missing the US PCGamer, then wonder about where to find the UK PCGamer magazine? I is confused @_@

P.S. I'm very easy to confuse.

The boat was missed. A European charted vessel is now the only option.

Littleman · 2012-06-24, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Pyreal

The boat was missed. A European charted vessel is now the only option.

Y'mean they're not taking the US keys anymore? 'Cause I got a copy I don't think I used...

Maniox · 2012-06-24, 05:49 PM

Hmm, i know a local shop here that sells PC gamer UK editions.
The one that's for sale now, is that the one with the beta keys?
July issue?

I live in Norway.

Trignite · 2012-06-24, 06:24 PM

Just do what i did and make a few twitter accounts and send messages to the twitter guys with generic memes and other stuff that gets there attention. Also insult there faction or something.

I made a twitter account for each faction and changed the wall and pic to represent that faction and used all three at the same time so i wasn't just spamming from one account.

Also if there haven't been and tweets for awhile don't bother just wait till someone gets on.

EDIT: Took me about an hour after someone got on to get a key just check your direct message inbox when you get a reply. The Public giveaways are hard unless you make sure you use tweet deck and stay logged in at the beta key entry page.

WiteBeam · 2012-06-24, 06:47 PM

I may have an extra key for you that my bud won't be able to use. I'll let you know.

LZachariah · 2012-06-24, 07:42 PM

Witebeam, that is deeply generous of you :-) For your offer, thank you so, so much.

I followed the link that was given up a few posts back, to the Zinio site, wherein you could buy digital copies of the magazine. I was TRYING to only buy the magazine-image that was shown, the July 2012 issue (with Elder Scrolls Online posted on the front). When I clicked "continue" however, after putting in my credit card info, it signed me up for a damn 13-issue subscription and instantly charged me $40! UGH. So, I was instantly sent the digital edition of issue 241, which is good; thank you for posting the email by Chris, I've Emailed him and inquired as to how the key will arrive to me. However, now I have to call Zinio's customer service tomorrow and have them refund me/cancel my subscription for all those other 12 damn issues that I don't want.

Ugh. In the end, God willing, it will all return to normal; I'll have the one issue I want, I'll get the key, and I'll get the money back for issues I have yet to receive. But.. bleh. Too weird o.O

Thanks everyone, for all your help. And thank you again for your offer, WiteBeam :-)

~Zachariah

LZachariah · 2012-06-24, 07:54 PM

(as a side note- is it disconcerting that Chris Thursten, helpful though he is, seems to think that beta "won't be starting for months"? is that accurate? o.O )

Littleman · 2012-06-24, 08:25 PM

About as accurate as anything we can come up with.

SOE's word is the word of God as far as I'm concerned, and we've been graced with the knowledge they'll deliver more of those words this week.

Jikkan · 2012-06-25, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by Maniox

Hmm, i know a local shop here that sells PC gamer UK editions.
The one that's for sale now, is that the one with the beta keys?
July issue?

I live in Norway.

Yes. I just bought my Pc gamer UK magazine with a beta key a few days ago. I live in Norway too. It's Issue 241.