Gamersgate has always been my first choice when it comes to DD services but they seem to have come down with a rather severe case of stupid over the holidays.
They pissed off a lot of people with the way they handled pulling the lifetime IGN -15% deal. I wasn't too bothered by it as I never actually paid for the IGN Prime service.
Then they screwed up with their pricing software which applied a cascading 30% discount to the Bethesda bundle so that a $300+ bundle ended up being offered for $27. It crashed the system for a day. Initially, they said they'd run out of serial keys due to the high demand but that more would be available in January. Then they turned around and said they'd give everyone who hadn't already received keys a refund. A day later, they deactivated keys for those who only received a partial set and said that these people would also get a refund. According to the furour on the GG forums, many have yet to receive any refunds.
You'd think that after such a fisaco that the GG staff would step in and double check their pricing prior to each day's new sales but this hasn't been the case. The same problem was repeated with the Borderlands 2 4-pack; Ghost Recon: Future Solider; Fallen Enchantress; Dead Island, and others.
I quick look through the forums and it seems like people are PISSED...
http://www.gamersgate.com/gametutor (http://www.gamersgate.com/gametutor)
I really hope this doesn't get too out of hand. I have over 60 games in my GG library (granted a fair number were activated through Steam). I don't want a repeat of what happened with Direct2Drive. I'm still missing 3 games I bought through them.
I have never used GG for a long time already. I think my last purchase from them is CK2 :)
Gamersgate do several things that annoy me:
1. I can't just pay for a game with my card; the closest I can get to that is using Paypal which I resent.
2. The Blue Coins expire. That one really pisses me off.
3. It's sometimes difficult to locate single games within a bundle, so when you're looking at a bundle you often have to perform a search for an individual game to read more. Steam does this much better.
I don't really like Gamersgate. However, a big plus is that you don't have to install some shitty client to play your games. You only need to be online once to download it, then it's as good as yours. Also, I'm always glad that Steam has competition. But the above points combined with not-great pricing means I don't buy from Gamersgate as much as I might.
Never has a problem with GG. Own dozens of games. You can also download and burn to disc the installation programs, and record the serial keys, so no issue with the D2D fiasco, which hurt many of us.
Also always have great specials, I check in every day, just in case I miss a flash sale.
Quote from: gocrows on December 30, 2012, 05:22:08 AM
You can also download and burn to disc the installation programs, and record the serial keys, so no issue with the D2D fiasco, which hurt many of us.
You still need to be online to install though, don't you? Even if not, though, they hardly make things easy with the stupid naming convention they use for the installer files. It's tough to know which files relate to which games. I used to burn discs myself until I got fed up of the nonsense, so now I just download via their website like a good consumer...
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 30, 2012, 05:46:43 AM
Quote from: gocrows on December 30, 2012, 05:22:08 AM
You can also download and burn to disc the installation programs, and record the serial keys, so no issue with the D2D fiasco, which hurt many of us.
You still need to be online to install though, don't you? Even if not, though, they hardly make things easy with the stupid naming convention they use for the installer files. It's tough to know which files relate to which games. I used to burn discs myself until I got fed up of the nonsense, so now I just download via their website like a good consumer...
You need to be online to install the first time around. After the first time, do not delete the installer that it unpacks so that you can reinstall. It's a normal install file. But you have to look for it.
Quote from: jomni on December 30, 2012, 06:00:39 AM
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 30, 2012, 05:46:43 AM
Quote from: gocrows on December 30, 2012, 05:22:08 AM
You can also download and burn to disc the installation programs, and record the serial keys, so no issue with the D2D fiasco, which hurt many of us.
You still need to be online to install though, don't you? Even if not, though, they hardly make things easy with the stupid naming convention they use for the installer files. It's tough to know which files relate to which games. I used to burn discs myself until I got fed up of the nonsense, so now I just download via their website like a good consumer...
You need to be online to install the first time around. After the first time, do not delete the installer that it unpacks so that you can reinstall. It's a normal install file. But you have to look for it.
Technically you don't need to be online for the first installation, you only need to be online to download the files. After that the files are stored in a directory and you can install then or later as long as you keep the files. I do like this approach since I can burn/store the setup files more easily then Steam. I use to for the most part only buy from GG because of this process and in a lot of cases they were cheaper than others.
But nowadays with the Steam dominance, a ton of their games require steam anyway. Therefore, I just shop wherever the prices are cheapest now. However, I have stayed away from other vendors who have their own special installers (i.e. impulse) just to try and cut down on the number on my computer.
It does seem like GG has had some rough patches late. I was one of the people who had the "lifetime" 15% and although I always thought it was too good too be true, they never said it was limited and then they just took it away. That never sat well with me, but I still shop there if the price is right. However, without that 15% discount, a lot other vendors are cheaper than them such as Amazon, Green Man Gaming, etc.
I completely agree with the op. GG used to be my 1st choice for games. Until fairly recently, I always tried to get stuff on GG to avoid Steam. But now it's just the opposite. I've really come to appreciate how simple and streamlined Steam makes everything. I've made peace with the DRM. GG just seems so mismanaged -- almost an attitude of 'yeah we put this stuff on sale, but don't look to us for any assistance with installing, patching, documentation, troubleshooting etc etc.' It really feels like there's nobody running the store... more like a clearing house whose only function is to move product out the door and then wash their hands of the customer.
I do still pick up the occasional irresistible deal at GG, but I have a 'caveat emptor' wariness when i do that I don't with other dl services.
I still use GG and prefer it over Steam because it allows me to install patches, mods, and whatnot on my own terms. It just seems like they're dropping the ball a lot lately. Hopefully they'll recover from the screw ups and win back their customer base.
When I first started using Gamers Gate years ago, they had atrocious download times. Maybe it was due to that they weren't based in the US.. But they're always had outstanding Customer Service whenever I opened a ticket.. I enjoy Blue Coins (great for picking up DLC)... I like the email alerts on 'price drops'.. I like that you don't need a client..
I will still continue to hold them at the top of my purchase choices...
I don't hate Steam either, have tons of games on there.. But consider their Customer Service to be non existent.. They also have too much power over your library (if you lodged a consumer complaint, they could suspend your access).. I don't like that they do automatic updates by default.. Modding sometimes is a pain....
I like that it's easy to reinstall on any new computer build. They have great sales. I wish they allowed game trading within family, so my kids wouldn't have to log on my ID to play old games I have no interest in. In the beginning all the games were on my ID.. but now I know enough to purchase their games on their IDs.. (I get kicked off a lot when they log into my ID :D )
I have come to reluctantly accept Steam as a matter of being an addict.
Gamers Gate has always been my DL store of choice.
When you have a Hard drive failure you just go back and get your stuff.
That is it. No limit to downloads, always there.
The customer service there as been superb, very, very unlike Steam.
Steam, as far as I am concerned has no customer service.
This year is the first year I have heard any complaints like this.
I like GG.
I simply can't believe this crowd would prefer GG to Steam. I have never used GG, but I did browse that link SDR posted. I was reading how a lot of people bought a game, and were able to download it, but then couldn't start it/install it because they didn't have a serial number for the game. GG "ran out" of serial numbers and now the customer has to wait until they get new ones...maybe after Jan 1.
Seriously? You just bought a game, but maybe you'll get to install it, and maybe you won't. If they can't get any more serials, you can get a refund or a new game.
You guys prefer that to Steam where, although you have to have their backend client to install and run games, you can rest assured that if you buy a game you damn well will be able to install and run it that same day?
Color me confused. You guys are very contradictory on your DRM stances sometimes. ::)
For me personally, I have never really complained about the various DRM in use since there is nothing I can do about it if I want to play games...the only type that does drive me crazy are the ones where you have to re-activate if some of your computer parts change...but I do own plenty of those as well so not really a buying decision for me....DRM is what it is.
Reason I use to prefer GG to other methods:
1) In the past, a lot of their games was the actual stand alone install type where you could download all files and store offline for future installs. However, nowadays a lot of their games are steam based so not a huge factor.
2) In the past, they were often cheaper. Nowadays, a lot of cheap choices available so not much of a factor either.
Bottom line. I have no more loyalties to any specific service, I just look for the lowest price:)
Seems like the issues mentioned in the OP all stem from GG getting their sale prices direly wrong, and now pulling back out of some transactions involving them.
I can't say I'd be very happy with it, especially if they messed with products already delivered. But I'd probably expect them to say sorry and refund money on undelivered ones in which the pricing had been wrongly listed, ASAP.
At least, in this case, there are likely customer service people actively dealing with these issues at Gamersgate. Nothing infuriates me more than sending a CS report to somebody like Steam (for example: something as simple as getting an "Out of Serial Keys" message) and repeatedly getting copy & paste responses mentioning how you can 'fix' your game crashing ( or other non-related bullshit), for two weeks straight before anything is actually done.
I still prefer GG over most anyone else despite running into at least one purchasing issue before the Holiday Sale season began. It's still been an overall great experience for me, although I haven't tried capitalizing on an obvious sale price mistake yet. And their website hasn't been doing terribly well this season.
Quote from: Toonces on December 30, 2012, 02:18:55 PM
I simply can't believe this crowd would prefer GG to Steam. I have never used GG, but I did browse that link SDR posted. I was reading how a lot of people bought a game, and were able to download it, but then couldn't start it/install it because they didn't have a serial number for the game. GG "ran out" of serial numbers and now the customer has to wait until they get new ones...maybe after Jan 1.
Seriously? You just bought a game, but maybe you'll get to install it, and maybe you won't. If they can't get any more serials, you can get a refund or a new game.
You guys prefer that to Steam where, although you have to have their backend client to install and run games, you can rest assured that if you buy a game you damn well will be able to install and run it that same day?
Color me confused. You guys are very contradictory on your DRM stances sometimes. ::)
This happens to everyone, though. Hell, it's happened on Steam a couple of times during past sales when something gets a huge sales run. And it's not like the distributor can just generate new codes, they have to go to the publisher for them.
And it does seem to me that GG is starting to falter pretty big. I wonder if maybe they've grown their service out, but the staffing levels haven't kept up. They used to be very quick and responsive, but now they're buried...Steam's support has been MUCH faster in my experience the few times that I've needed to contact either of them in the last year or so.
And I don't really have a store preference, either. Gimme mah games, and I'm happy. ;D
Hell, they all suck, it's just a question of the degree to which they suck. I still prefer to get physical copies of games, because as long as they aren't cursed with Steamworks, they're pretty much mine and I can do what I want with them. Plus physical is normally cheaper, at least here in the UK.
The last time I had a problem with steam I had downloaded
a game which refused to work on my machine. Just wouldn't go.
I have a few hundred games and very many with Steam, more from
GG. Anyway, when I was able to penetrate Steam's "customer service"
they told me it should work. I said it didn't. They said too bad.
Strangely enough, weeks later when I had settled down enough
to try to deal with them again...it worked. Nothing else changed.
When I tried to contact them to tell them this... they never replied.
GG is always prompt and courteous with service problems
Xmas is the only exception and they will run behind for a while.
As far as these pricing errors I have never had this experience and
BTW frequently complainers on forums are the "I want something for nothing" bunch.
Makes it hard to sort out the legitimate beefs.
Quote from: Longdan on December 30, 2012, 03:35:06 PM
As far as these pricing errors I have never had this experience and
BTW frequently complainers on forums are the "I want something for nothing" bunch.
Makes it hard to sort out the legitimate beefs.
That's not true. People obviously paid for stuff in this case, and either haven't received them, or a refund.
Painting with too broad a brush, there.
Quote from: Nefaro on December 30, 2012, 03:37:05 PM
Quote from: Longdan on December 30, 2012, 03:35:06 PM
As far as these pricing errors I have never had this experience and
BTW frequently complainers on forums are the "I want something for nothing" bunch.
Makes it hard to sort out the legitimate beefs.
That's not true. People obviously paid for stuff in this case, and either haven't received them, or a refund.
Painting with too broad a brush, there.
+1
I used to shop around to different sites. Now not so much anymore. Once in a great while I'll get something on sale from Amazon if it's a Steam activation. Otherwise I go through Steam for all of my games sales with the exception of wargames. Wargames I have my favorite developers and buy directly from them.
Are you guys just combative by nature, or what?
I said BTW some complainers frequently want something for nothing
you said that was not true. That I was painting with a broad brush.
Seems I must have been seeing something that was not there.
I was not referring to those with a legitimate complaints which is plain
to see. Do you always go around reacting like this?
Reminds me of people bitching about Battlefront's policies.
I recognise GG is having some issues and some are rightly pissed.
It's the internet Dan. It's two greatest strengths are arguing for the sake of arguing and porn.
Quote from: Bison on December 30, 2012, 05:24:11 PM
It's two greatest strengths are arguing for the sake of arguing
No it isn't!
Quote from: Bison on December 30, 2012, 05:24:11 PM
It's the internet Dan. It's two greatest strengths are arguing for the sake of arguing and porn.
Give me the porn. I'm a lover not a fighter.
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 30, 2012, 05:47:06 PM
Quote from: Bison on December 30, 2012, 05:24:11 PM
It's two greatest strengths are arguing for the sake of arguing
No it isn't!
I argue because everyone else on the net is wrong.
Oh yeah?!
Well. So's your.....uh......face!
*runs from room crying*
Wait, what? There's porn on the internet??. :o
Quote from: LongBlade on December 30, 2012, 07:02:19 PM
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 30, 2012, 05:47:06 PM
Quote from: Bison on December 30, 2012, 05:24:11 PM
It's two greatest strengths are arguing for the sake of arguing
No it isn't!
I argue because everyone else on the net is wrong.
This somehow reminds me of:
"Those of you who think you know it all are particularly annoying to those of us who do." ;)
Quote from: Longdan on December 30, 2012, 05:20:19 PM
Are you guys just combative by nature, or what?
I said BTW some complainers frequently want something for nothing
you said that was not true. That I was painting with a broad brush.
Seems I must have been seeing something that was not there.
I was not referring to those with a legitimate complaints which is plain
to see. Do you always go around reacting like this?
Reminds me of people bitching about Battlefront's policies.
I recognise GG is having some issues and some are rightly pissed.
Absolutely not but I also don't enjoy seeing paying customers and their honest concerns being selectively blown off with your line that:
QuoteBTW frequently complainers on forums are the "I want something for nothing" bunch.
when it is not the case.
I thought it a bit rude to accuse those who have paid for a product and not received anything in exchange, in such a manner. A bit quick to pull the trigger aren't we?
Must be a guilty conscience.
They aren't my customers and I did not blow off
anybody's honest concerns. Why you would think
I would do that by pointing out that some people
always complain, frequently about nothing? I do not say it was them.
It seems a person who did not do that would have little
to quibble with there.
Don't you have family to pick fights with?
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F4hPKL.gif&hash=e5650de2c5cbc74d9091a1f81caeaaebe1dce1ef)
LOL. Good one Huw!
I routinely use both GG and Steam although for convenience I usually activate GG games on Steam if at all possible. Both are IMO much better than Gamestop/Impulse which has been a nightmare to use recently.
On a positive note for GG, I logged into my account today and noticed that an Indie Countdown Bundle Bonus Bundle has been added to my account, which includes Storm Over The Pacific! W00t!! Pretty nice considering that I only purchased one of the Indie Countdown Bundles!
Hey, we're Grogs. We grumble. It's sort of in the job description.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on December 31, 2012, 11:27:18 AM
Hey, we're Grogs. We grumble. It's sort of in the job description.
If by grumble you mean 'bitch like a bunch of grandmas at a knitting circle', I fully agree.
One visitor to the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon was thoroughly alarmed by the griping of the Old Guard.
They complained about everything, not enough food, too much marching, bad wine (although they got the best fixings of the army.) The Old Guard infantry were nicknamed The Grumblers (Grognards) because of the incessant complaining.
Doesn't it worry you that they grumble about everything, Sire?
They are old soldiers. The time to worry, is when they stop grumbling.
Quote from: Shelldrake on December 31, 2012, 11:15:21 AM
On a positive note for GG, I logged into my account today and noticed that an Indie Countdown Bundle Bonus Bundle has been added to my account, which includes Storm Over The Pacific! W00t!! Pretty nice considering that I only purchased one of the Indie Countdown Bundles!
Hey, I have that too! Cool! Thanks for the heads-up Shelldrake!
Quote from: bayonetbrant on December 31, 2012, 11:27:18 AM
Hey, we're Grogs. We grumble. It's sort of in the job description.
Yeah, it's like my First Sergeant said in the Army:
"If a soldier ain't complaining, he's not happy."
Quote from: besilarius on December 31, 2012, 11:38:20 AM
One visitor to the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon was thoroughly alarmed by the griping of the Old Guard.
They complained about everything, not enough food, too much marching, bad wine (although they got the best fixings of the army.) The Old Guard infantry were nicknamed The Grumblers (Grognards) because of the incessant complaining.
Doesn't it worry you that they grumble about everything, Sire?
They are old soldiers. The time to worry, is when they stop grumbling.
hey look, someone invited Roethlisberger (http://profootballmock.com/qbs-on-facebook-the-inevitable-sequel/)!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: mirth on December 31, 2012, 11:32:12 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on December 31, 2012, 11:27:18 AM
Hey, we're Grogs. We grumble. It's sort of in the job description.
If by grumble you mean 'bitch like a bunch of grandmas at a knitting circle', I fully agree.
LOL. I'm so sigging the hell out of this (both quotes).
Quote from: bayonetbrant on December 31, 2012, 01:48:27 PM
Quote from: besilarius on December 31, 2012, 11:38:20 AM
One visitor to the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon was thoroughly alarmed by the griping of the Old Guard.
They complained about everything, not enough food, too much marching, bad wine (although they got the best fixings of the army.) The Old Guard infantry were nicknamed The Grumblers (Grognards) because of the incessant complaining.
Doesn't it worry you that they grumble about everything, Sire?
They are old soldiers. The time to worry, is when they stop grumbling.
hey look, someone invited Roethlisberger (http://profootballmock.com/qbs-on-facebook-the-inevitable-sequel/)!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Heh, that was pretty good.
Quote from: Martok on December 31, 2012, 02:34:13 PM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on December 31, 2012, 01:48:27 PM
Quote from: besilarius on December 31, 2012, 11:38:20 AM
One visitor to the headquarters of the Emperor Napoleon was thoroughly alarmed by the griping of the Old Guard.
They complained about everything, not enough food, too much marching, bad wine (although they got the best fixings of the army.) The Old Guard infantry were nicknamed The Grumblers (Grognards) because of the incessant complaining.
Doesn't it worry you that they grumble about everything, Sire?
They are old soldiers. The time to worry, is when they stop grumbling.
hey look, someone invited Roethlisberger (http://profootballmock.com/qbs-on-facebook-the-inevitable-sequel/)!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Heh, that was pretty good.
You should read the new one (http://profootballmock.com/nfl-qbs-on-facebook-crappy-new-year/). Tony Romo's mom might be the best character they've put in one of those yet.
You're right, I laughed even harder at that one. God, those are f*****g hilarious!