Curse

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 04:29 PM // 16:29

Hi All,

Well, I just learned something rather disturbing. For all of us who pre-ordered the collector's edition of Factions, there is a distribution delay until May 3rd. Amazon, from whom I ordered says I'll get it by May 10.

A rep from GameStop confirms that the problem is with distribution of Factions CE to the retailers and currently GameStop expects to receive CE by May 3rd. It was apparently decided by NCSoft that if they couldn't ship all CE orders, they would wait until they could.

The bad part is we'll be unable to play for everyday past the 28th until our CE order arrives, all the time while the people who bought the less expensive regular version continue to enjoy factions.

What am I suppose to do, ask all my guildies to not play Factions until my CE arrives? Is this how a company should treat its fans who pay extra?

NCSoft says, "There isn't a definite time-frame on the access deadline for those accounts that only have a Factions Pre-Order Access Key at this time."

This seems like double talk because their F.A.Q.(http://www.guildwars.com/support/faq...ctions-faq.php) is very clear that your pre-order key only lasts 48 hours.

Here is a copy of my correspondence with arena net to date:

Your Factions Pre-Order Access Key will allow you to participate in the Early Access Event, and it should carry over to approximately 24 hours after Factions' official release on 4/28/06. There isn't a definite time-frame on the access deadline for those accounts that only have a Factions Pre-Order Access Key at this time.

Unfortunately, without the retail access key applied to your account you will not be able to access any Factions content once the extended time has ended. Please bear in mind, that each retailer has their own policies in place for both the sale of the pre-order package (including pricing) and the availability of the pre-order package and the final retail product.

Please let us know if you need further assistance with this.

Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team

Joh · Apr 25, 2006, 04:35 PM // 16:35

So let me get this straight.. We now have a temporary pre-order key that gave allows us to get the pre-order items and the early access. If we don't add a retail key to our accounts before those 48 hours has passed, we won't get to keep playing until we do? Boy do I regret buying the CE....

Some other questions related to this; Will we still get the pre-order items on all new chars after adding the retail key, even though we won't be able to do so in those 48 hours? Will our chars be deleted after those 48 hours?

Loviatar · Apr 25, 2006, 04:39 PM // 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joh

So let me get this straight.. We now have a temporary pre-order key that gave allows us to get the pre-order items and the early access. If we don't add a retail key to our accounts before those 48 hours has passed, we won't get to keep playing until we do? Boy do I regret buying the CE....

Some other questions related to this; Will we still get the pre-order items on all new chars after adding the retail key, even though we won't be able to do so in those 48 hours? Will our chars be deleted after those 48 hours?

yes

/preorder

there is at least a 10 day grace period to input a retail key.

after the 28th the new Cantha slots will be unavailable but not deleted.

SirJackassIII · Apr 25, 2006, 04:39 PM // 16:39

Few questions:
1) Is it only delayed if you pre-ordered or delayed if you planned to pick it up in stores too?
2) If it's delayed in stores too, are the delayed countries known?

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 04:41 PM // 16:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joh

If we don't add a retail key to our accounts before those 48 hours has passed, we won't get to keep playing until we do?

Correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joh

Will we still get the pre-order items on all new chars after adding the retail key, even though we won't be able to do so in those 48 hours?

Yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joh

Will our chars be deleted after those 48 hours?

No. From what I can gleam, we will have access to non-cantha characters for 10 days. Cantha characters for 48 hours. Characters in the 2 bonus slots are not deleted, but will become unavailable for said duration until the retail key is entered.

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 04:42 PM // 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirJackassIII

Few questions:
1) Is it only delayed if you pre-ordered or delayed if you planned to pick it up in stores too?
2) If it's delayed in stores too, are the delayed countries known?

Per GameStop rep, it's delayed in stores too. No idea about other countires, other than the U.S. which I'm concerned about.

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 04:49 PM // 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

there is at least a 10 day grace period to input a retail key.

To be absolutely clear, the 10 day grace period of which Loviatar is speaking, is only for non-Cantha characters. Or to put it differently, only prophecies characters who start in pre-searing get the 10 day grace period.

I'm hoping to generate enough upset in the community via emails to NCSoft that they'll change this policy.

Oh, speaking of which, call in to NCSoft support and complain by dialing in the U.S. toll free 866-367-9516 or direct to 512-225-6359. ( Can you tell I've been a busy little bee over this issue? )

Mighty Hero · Apr 25, 2006, 04:54 PM // 16:54

$10 off at Best Buy with the pre order receipt? does it mean i ll be paying only $30??

Peewee · Apr 25, 2006, 04:59 PM // 16:59

Yeah, i also pre-ordered CE, only i did it at Game stores (UK) I dont know yet whether i will have a problem picking up a copy. Yes, this sucks. The problem seems to be mostly out of ANET's hands, but its a harsh irony that the players who have shown most support, ie preordered AND getting the CE are going to be the ones who cannot play the game.

Whats worse is that it is becoming clear in some circumstances the 10 day grace period may not be enough. This essentially means that altho people who have preordered CE will still be able to enjoy the Day of the Tengu, they will not be able to reap the rewards.

I hope i am not paying £50 to play factions for one day, be unable to play it for a further 10 days when everybody else is, and then lose my head start completely. This seems like a very high price to pay for such priveledge...

Joh · Apr 25, 2006, 05:01 PM // 17:01

So atleast our chars won't be deleted, but that 10 day grace period doesn't sound too good. You said yours will ship May 10th. That's after that 10-day period. If so, many will not get their CE until their 10 grace period has passed...

edit: I would indeed call, if it weren't for the fact it's expensive to call cross-atlantic.

Fates · Apr 25, 2006, 05:07 PM // 17:07

Did you guys miss the 9 page thread, about this very topic, on the first page here titled "Factions CE...Delayed?" It covers all this information and more.

For the perceptively challenged, here is a link:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s....php?t=3015228

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 05:11 PM // 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fates Monk

For the perceptively challenged, here is a link:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s....php?t=3015228

Thanks for the link Monk. Before I post, I normally do a search to see if what I want to talk about is already covered. However, the GWG search engine appears to be over-taxed and therefore down.

Loviatar · Apr 25, 2006, 05:25 PM // 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by sre

To be absolutely clear, the 10 day grace period of which Loviatar is speaking, is only for non-Cantha characters. Or to put it differently, only prophecies characters who start in pre-searing get the 10 day grace period.

i dont make it a habit to be wrong.

your correction is incorrect.

quote from official source

Quote:

Re: Extra slots will be unlocked during the head start

Quick, somebody, flame or something! I can't stand the peace and harmony flowing from this thread!

We figure the 10 days grace period should be more than enough to lock in those new characters you've made, either Tyrian or Canthan.
__________________
Gaile Gray
Community Relations Manager
ArenaNet
Guild Wars Site & ArenaNet Site

forever · Apr 25, 2006, 05:38 PM // 17:38

Which BestBuy is selling for $40? And you already paid $10 when you got your preorder package.

ElinoraNeSangre · Apr 25, 2006, 05:43 PM // 17:43

I called the Gamestop where I had my preorder, and they said there was zero delay whatsoever on the CE and had no idea what I was talking about in terms of a potential delay.

They may not have any clue, though. Maybe I should go ask the Gamestop that's less than a mile from ArenaNet. :: cackle ::

sre · Apr 25, 2006, 05:54 PM // 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

i dont make it a habit to be wrong.

your correction is incorrect.

quote from official source

"...the 10 days grace period should be more than enough to lock in those new characters..."

Ok, that's fine, 10 days to lock them in. But if you read the preamble to that statement it says,

"After the close of the Head Start Event, Canthan characters and Factions content will not be accessible until a retail key is activated on the account."

Which jives with that support has emailed me ( see first post ) that I won't be able to play for approximately 1 week while I wait for the retail key to arrive in the CE box.

Loviatar · Apr 25, 2006, 06:02 PM // 18:02

[QUOTE=sre]"...the 10 days grace period should be more than enough to lock in those new characters..."

Ok, that's fine, 10 days to lock them in. But if you read the preamble to that statement it says,

QUOTE]

back to reading 101 for me.

MY OOPSIE

as i read another post than that one

SeZMehK · Apr 25, 2006, 06:24 PM // 18:24

could you check around zip code 10010. NYC o___o

Zubie · Apr 25, 2006, 06:29 PM // 18:29

I assume it will be possible to buy factions online from the GW website as with the first game.

I hope so as I have friday booked off and no shops nearby that stock factions

Hailfall · Apr 25, 2006, 06:33 PM // 18:33

I just called the EBgames at the Neshaminy mall in Bensalem, PA and they said that they should have it in by the 26th or 27th even. He said that he didn't know of a delay in the shipping.. so I will just find out..

He did say that I had to call back on the 27th to make sure it was there, but he was pretty sure it would be