Game Unplayable, PLEASE REFUND

from GalCiv3 Forums

I recently purchased Galactic Civilizations III.  It was not advertised on Steam as either a beta or a pre-order, though there may have been links buried somewhere which would provide such disclaimers. The price point was not for an unfinished product. This is extremely misleading for customers.  I was shocked when I ran the product for the first time and saw it was only a beta.  The intro video plays fine but at the splash screen the text does not display (or is invisible due to font/color issues).  None of the menu options have text so the player has no idea what they are doing.  I will assume for a moment that this is a display bug.  This renders the "game" unplayable for me.  If you contact me via email at [removed] I will reply with my DXDIAG, as I see no way to post it here.  PLEASE ISSUE ME A FULL REFUND.  The game is unplayable and I do not have the time or interest to participate in any sort of beta test.  Let me know when the full product is ready and will actually run on my platform.  Thank you.

 

Thelebk

 

support
11,442 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

It's prominently displayed on the Steam store page that this is an early access game.  

I'd recommend reading through the support FAQ and submitting a support ticket to help resolve your issues. I've also removed your email from your post as it isn't advised to display that on a public forum.

https://forums.galciv3.com/452855

 

Reply #2 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I was just going to say, I checked steam in the program, from my phone app, and via the website. It says Early Access in big letters and references the beta in numerous spots..

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Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

edited due to others replying

Reply #4 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Your also forgetting if you wait it out hopefully you will get the game for $25. If this true then you paid less now than later for a cheaper price. Eventually when it comes out it is playable. 

Reply #5 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Thank you for the replies.  The Steam promotional thumbnail I clicked on did not say pre-order, beta, or anything that led me to believe it was not ready to play.  If you go to the full steam store and search there it is listed as a copy that may not run. Perhaps in time the developers will fix this title to run on my platform with a modern 24" HDMI monitor.  Perhaps not.  I do not see the point in paying now for a product that may or may not work some day in the unspecified future.  I have submitted a support ticket as directed.

Reply #6 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Stardock should probably update the page where you bought the game. Do you remember where you clicked ? If you bought it directly through the Steam website, I don't know how you could have missed the words Beta 4 which is prominently displayed on the right side and the words EARLY ACCESS right in the middle. 

Good luck with your refund.

Reply #7 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Also I'm guessing if you want a refund, you need to get it from Steam, not from Stardock.

Reply #8 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Caveat emptor, Buwahahaha!

Just kidding... }:) }:) }:)

Reply #9 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Well if look on the steam Page I see early Access in big Letters ... you can#t not see it :S

The other thing is Stardock is not ur retailer and so not the one who may refund you. (Here it's like that) You must argue with Steam for a Refund.

Third: Your points are not really valid. There is a Tag "early Access", even a big sign which says it. And third normally refunding downloads is not possible.

In your place I would not even consider to ask steam, I would simply wait ^^

Reply #10 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

Here's the problem for the OP.  I believe him when he comments about the little splash image on the front page of Steam not warning about it being an Early Access game.  From what I recall, it was a little thumbnail (well, maybe 20% of the normal size) with something like 50% off well displayed.

So, yeah.  It didn't say it there.  Probably. I don't remember for sure, tbh.

Problem is, well, two things.  One, that's on Steam (presumably) who made the banner, not Stardock.  Secondly, clicking on those banners.... takes one to the Store Page for the game.  And, as has been noted on more than one occasion, it is displayed fairly prominently that this is Early Access.

What I think happened is somewhat Rashomon-like, however.  The OP clicked on the banner on the Steam Homepage, landed on the Store Page for GC III.... And then didn't scroll down to see all of the huge warnings about Early Access.

The classic case of The Dangers of Click Through, sadly.  How he added to his cart without seeing the HUGE WARNING about Early Access that is right above the buy button, I'm not as sure of.  Looking at other Early Access games on Steam, it seems fairly hard to do.  But maybe he found a way to do it.  Or he just didn't notice.  It could happen.  Sadly, none of that is really the fault of Stardock who has, near as I can tell, done everything they can to tell people this is Early Access before it is possible to buy it.

So, at worst, Lesson Learned about the Dangers of Click Through.  Given what can happen when what can happen with computers and Click Through, it's not much of a loss, all things considered. ;)  Especially since the game will be out of beta relatively soon. :)

So, yeah, one can try to plead one's case with Steam.  But I kinda doubt they are going to listen. But, hey, what's the worst they gonna do?  Say, "No?". :p

Reply #11 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

I have heard it mentioned that if you try to get a refund from Steam, you might get it the first time.  If you do,  you will never get another refund.  Course this is almost at the level of rumor, but still.  So one might suggest taking deep breath before going that route.

I might add that I have 60 games now, many just to try out, of course, any many with the hope that someday I will figure them out (Paradox, lol), and a number that I have added even though I had the discs for them because Steam is just more convenient, no discs and auto updates for example.   I have never had a game I couldn't get working, although there is one that is a bit balky and may require more than one attempt  (Disciples II Gallean's Return) but it is a very old game that I just wanted to sample.  And I have a number that didn't run after download, but the Steam forums and google got me going.   

I can't imagine working with and EA game with updates and bug fixes without Steam; and "Early Access" etc have been clearly displayed to me.

Still, the OP is entitled to his reaction.  I might suggest that there be a pop up for EA games === by clicking you confirm that you understand...blah blah blah.  

 

Reply #12 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

It is a lesson to watch a few let's plays or read a few reviews before buying any game. This is not meant to be a criticism, just something I hope that avoids you some aggravation in the future. Also to have a good read of the comments and page itself, before you buy anything.

 

I will say that I personally took issue with the term beta instead of alpha, and I don't think that helped early perception of galciv 3. I realise we can argue terminology, but modern day use has drifted now towards beta meaning all core features are in. It is a separate but related point that I hope the devs take note of for the next release, and support the use of, just because we need these kinds of defining terms for EA to work, so people know what they are getting.

 

Anyway all that said EA and Beta is clearly displayed on the store page, so getting a refund might be troublesome, but also the devs here have a long history of making excellent products that start with EA and end well. They were doing this before EA was really a thing, so don't worry, your final product will be a well polished experience.