Early Retail Release in Your Area? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

27 Aug 2007 at 20:11 - 1

As you know, Guild Wars: Eye of the North won't be accessible until Friday morning, 12:01 AM Pacific Time, 3:01 EDT; 7:01 GMT; 8:01 BST; 10:01 Central European Time; 17:01 in Asia and parts of Australia... and so forth.

But we understand that a few stores have sold the game early. Can you please post here if you've purchased Guild Wars: Eye of the North, or if you have positively see the retail version of the game (not the pre-order, obviously) in your local stores?

Thanks so much!

TiNkLeR

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Portugal

27 Aug 2007 at 20:16 - 2

29 of august, 2007 will be the retail release in portugal in shops like... "Worten".

Ghost Recon

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2005

Mo/

27 Aug 2007 at 20:18 - 3

Well all online stores post them out a few days early. What is the reason behind the question?

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

27 Aug 2007 at 20:24 - 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Recon

Well all online stores post them out a few days early. What is the reason behind the question?

Online stores posting them out a few days early is not a problem because they will arrive very close to the 12:01 AM Pacific time launch date. Selling them a week and more in advance of the "go live" date can be a bit of a problem, though, because players may come to believe that we've delayed the release, or they may not read the "August 31st" date and then they get impatient with us. I've had emails from people who are angry about not being able to play because they have the box in their hands and because the store did not point out, "You will need to wait until Friday to play this game."

So we'd like to know who's selling now in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page about this, and to assure that stores are upholding their part of the agreement in place regarding selling the games.

Drop of Fear

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

W/

27 Aug 2007 at 20:25 - 5

italy - as far as i know all ebgames stores in major cities are selling gw:en since last friday. (bought mine)

Dellight

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2006

Hungary

Spirit And Sanctuary(SaS)

W/

27 Aug 2007 at 20:25 - 6

I bought GWEN at a store, added it's key to my account and added the bonus(pre relase) key too,
Today the sneak peek weeked has ended.
And i CAN go to every town in eye of the north
and I'm not a hacker...i think here is a bug....i was curious and checked a passage to a locked section, but it was closed, so i think i stucked into the sneak peek weekend...and a lot of hungarian guys too..anet, help us

IGN: Slayer Dellight

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

27 Aug 2007 at 20:47 - 7

None in my area as there was one who sold the prerelease in my area.

Nomme Moon

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

27 Aug 2007 at 20:52 - 8

So Gamestop won't be handing out preordered copies tomorrow? Their site led me to believe they would be.

Darn, when will they be allowed to sell them Gaile? I don't want to have to go to the store on Friday knowing it starts at 12.01 am that day..

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

27 Aug 2007 at 21:07 - 9

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomme Moon

So Gamestop won't be handing out preordered copies tomorrow? Their site led me to believe they would be.

Darn, when will they be allowed to sell them Gaile? I don't want to have to go to the store on Friday knowing it starts at 12.01 am that day..

You can still use your prerelease untill then like we did back in beta.

Lord Feathers

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2007

ROAR - Rangers of Ascalon Return

R/P

27 Aug 2007 at 21:16 - 10

Can we purchase it on-line through the store early so that we can game when it goes live or will we have to wait until it is live ? There seemed to be a problem in some areas with actually being able to use the store for the pre-view itself.

fRag_Doll

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2006

Australia

Prid of Ankh Morpork [Prid]

W/E

27 Aug 2007 at 21:43 - 11

My local (Brisbane, Australia) EB Games store has said they absolutely will not release the boxed game until Friday, unless otherwise notified by ANet.
Some EB stores even refused to hand out the pre-order packs untill this Friday.

One small note Gaile, you have the time for Asia/Australia wrong in your first post. 12:01 Pacific is 17:01 Eastern Australian time.

Gervic

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2006

Magyarorsz??g ,Budapest,XIV ker.,Angol u.

Virtual Hunters [VH]

R/

27 Aug 2007 at 22:18 - 12

In Hungary I bought it a week ago in CD Galaxis.

Gwmaster

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Sep 2005

Canada/Quebec

N/

27 Aug 2007 at 22:22 - 13

well i was able to put my hand on the box today at my local bestbuy, since i went on their site and it said they had it in stock.So i went to the store, and they said that it was on the 31st.finally i managed to get the game but wen i went to pay, the store computer didn't accept the product and i couldn't buy it,the code is blocked till the 31.

judgedread33

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2007

Australia, Crikey!

PwnD, plesure wreckin noob donors

E/Me

27 Aug 2007 at 22:23 - 14

My local stores including the store my parents own (gametraders) arn't even getting the games till Monday and their suppler is selling them for $89.95 Australian ={

cdgsax

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

27 Aug 2007 at 22:27 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Online stores posting them out a few days early is not a problem because they will arrive very close to the 12:01 AM Pacific time launch date. Selling them a week and more in advance of the "go live" date can be a bit of a problem, though, because players may come to believe that we've delayed the release, or they may not read the "August 31st" date and then they get impatient with us. I've had emails from people who are angry about not being able to play because they have the box in their hands and because the store did not point out, "You will need to wait until Friday to play this game."

So we'd like to know who's selling now in order to make sure that everyone is on the same page about this, and to assure that stores are upholding their part of the agreement in place regarding selling the games.

As far as the people sending angry emails to you, they have nothing to be angry about. They only have themselves to blame. It clearly says on the login screen that the game is coming on August 31, 2007. If these people were unsure and took the time to ask the store clerk at Gamestop, EB Games, etc when the game goes live, it would save them and Anet the frustration. I am sure you and the other employees at Anet have better things to do than deal with stupid people.

Now, as far as stores handing out the game to people more than a week early, they shouldn't do that. If Anet tells the stores that they can start handing out the game on for example, August 30, the stores ought to hold up their end of the agreement; otherwise I would say that's breach of agreement.

I don't know if Anet or any other game company has contracts with these stores. If so, and the stores don't hold up to it, its a problem. Anet should contact the head office of all the game stores (Gamestop, Best Buy, Walmart, whatever) and make it clear that under no circumstances should they pass the game out early unless authorized by Anet.

judgedread33

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2007

Australia, Crikey!

PwnD, plesure wreckin noob donors

E/Me

27 Aug 2007 at 22:58 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdgsax

I don't know if Anet or any other game company has contracts with these stores. If so, and the stores don't hold up to it, its a problem. Anet should contact the head office of all the game stores (Gamestop, Best Buy, Walmart, whatever) and make it clear that under no circumstances should they pass the game out early unless authorized by Anet.

Come to Australia... the eb games near my dads store sells all their games as soon as they get them even if they are supplyed with a date to start selling its just a way of making customers think they are better then all the other stores. As far as Anet and they suppliers go there is nothing they can do against such large companys.

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

27 Aug 2007 at 22:58 - 17

cdgsax, that's a good theory, but if you've ever talked to EB Games or Gamestop, they generally (of the 4 I've been to) have not played Guild Wars, do not know much about it, and have no idea what is going on with it, as far as release dates and preorder dates and what any of it means.

Voltar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2006

My dog let's me crash at her place.

POB

R/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:10 - 18

Software Etc. said they would be getting it tomorrrow (8/28) which I think is great. I'm all about having the key plugged into my acount before the game goes live. Then again, they didn't get the prerelease in until early-mid August so who knows.

garethporlest18

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

[HiDe]

W/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:18 - 19

I'm getting it on Thursday hopefully. Which should be fine with you Gaile, considering the fact that you're gonna go ahead and launch at midnight...why should only people who bought the pre-order from your store be considered special and get to start earlier than everyone else.

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:24 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by unienaule

cdgsax, that's a good theory, but if you've ever talked to EB Games or Gamestop, they generally (of the 4 I've been to) have not played Guild Wars, do not know much about it, and have no idea what is going on with it, as far as release dates and preorder dates and what any of it means.

To me EBGamers are consol gamers as the store in my area didn't even have prerelease they did for beta though.

LONGA

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2006

Thailand

Agot

N/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:29 - 21

I pre-order from Zest in thailand.And got code from the shop,I though it was the pre-release but it was the actual game code.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

27 Aug 2007 at 23:34 - 22

I would really like it if we found a way to set a shelf date at least a day in advance of the "live date," but I've seen the letters and read the complaints, and there are a lot of people who get angry if they cannot access immediately. So that is why the sales and marketing people set the shelf date for the time that the game can actually be played.

I'm also suggesting that as an option, players who pre-order the game through the InGame or PlayNC store have the option to pre-purchase the game at the same time. It's my proposal that they could be given the chance to authorize the purchase in advance, and then the game would just magically open for them at 12:01 AM Pacific on Friday. The only question I can see is, would people forget they prepaid and get angry with that charge on their credit card? Or would they welcome the opportunity to have everything taken care of at once, early, and not have to make a purchase at 12:01 AM?

bhavv

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2006

27 Aug 2007 at 23:35 - 23

I am going to be buying it through the online store as I work thurs-sunday. It would be nice If I could buy it early so its ready to use.

Grubcat

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2005

Team of Oblivious Targets [TOOT]

27 Aug 2007 at 23:42 - 24

I would love to be able to pay for that "early" this week, and have it ready to play when it goes live. I am afraid there will be problems with accessing the online store when everyone else is trying to buy it on Friday at the same time.

Why can't the charge go through immediately, and the game activated on the 31st? I don't think anyone had issues with paying for the preorder ahead of time- we all understood it would not be playable until the 24th.

cdgsax

Academy Page

Join Date: Aug 2006

27 Aug 2007 at 23:43 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by unienaule

cdgsax, that's a good theory, but if you've ever talked to EB Games or Gamestop, they generally (of the 4 I've been to) have not played Guild Wars, do not know much about it, and have no idea what is going on with it, as far as release dates and preorder dates and what any of it means.

I guess you're just unlucky. The employees at the EB games and Gamestop stores in my town are pretty well informed about the games they sell or are going to sell (of course, they are big time game nuts, especially when it comes to PC Games.

)

I just went on a semi rant because I am really getting tired of people saying they had no idea of what is going on. My point is people should do their best to get as much information as they can on a product before they buy it. I will admit that I have been guilty of not getting sufficient information on something before, and it bit me in the ass. Things like that happen, after all we're human beings. Most of the people who wrote those angry emails to Anet (I can 99.9% guarantee) are the types that don't take the time to find out any additional information on anything, EVER . They want things to work automatically, and when they don't, these people go off half cocked and blame other people for their ignorance.

Whew, there I go, ranting again. I'm seeing this as a trend, especially this past week not just only on this forum, but in real life in general.

If I see one more post about someone not knowing that the new GWEN heroes/skills were going to be locked after the preview, I'm going to go ninja on them

Kelsey Cain

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2006

27 Aug 2007 at 23:51 - 26

I think the general consensus of opinion is that virtually every player here would like to see the game for sale in the online store now, so that they are ready to play when the game goes live.

Several people, including myself, have already expressed concerns about the ability of the online store to cope as players try to purchase on the day of release.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

27 Aug 2007 at 23:52 - 27

I just spoke with Jeff Strain, and he said that there are all sorts of restrictions on selling a product in advance of the ability to use it. Once the game goes live, it's possible for us to do so, but we cannot, for instance, store your credit card information from your purchase of the Prerelease Bonus Pack and then charge you a month later when the game is released. It sounds like such a good idea, but it's not practical in a business sense.

SharonC

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

USA

Confused and Ridiculously Lost [CARL]

R/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:54 - 28

Personally I would love to pay for it now, so that as soon as I get home from work Friday I can just log in and start playing. I plan another trip to a dungeon first (I love the dungeons), then I'll start following the storyline again. With frequent side trips to any dungeon that shows up on the map.

Woodsy

Did I mention I like the dungeons?

SharonC

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

USA

Confused and Ridiculously Lost [CARL]

R/

27 Aug 2007 at 23:59 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I just spoke with Jeff Strain, and he said that there are all sorts of restrictions on selling a product in advance of the ability to use it. Once the game goes live, it's possible for us to do so, but we cannot, for instance, store your credit card information from your purchase of the Prerelease Bonus Pack and then charge you a month later when the game is released. It sounds like such a good idea, but it's not practical in a business sense.

Gaile,

From another company I frequently purchase from, they have stated that you can sell something no more than 90 days prior to available use of that item. (In that case, it is monthly ebook packages. Some major fans wanted to buy the years worth of releases at once and found out that they can buy no more than 3 months early.) In other words, it should be okay to list the purchase of the full game now, since it is to be released Friday. You can charge immediately. You might have Jeff give your credit card processor a call about it. Note: You posted this message as I was posting my other one.

Woodsy

Yichi

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2005

Guild Hall, Vent, Guesting, PvE, or the occasional HA match...

Dark Alley [dR]

28 Aug 2007 at 00:03 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I would really like it if we found a way to set a shelf date at least a day in advance of the "live date,"...

Best Buy, Gamestop, and EB games here in St. Louis are all releasing the game for retail on Thursday so everyone will have access to it at 12:01 on friday if they choose, they arent stocking it until then though. I had checked into all of them for ya. (hey i was bored at work today)

Saraphim

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

The Hand of Omega [WHO]

E/

28 Aug 2007 at 00:10 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I just spoke with Jeff Strain, and he said that there are all sorts of restrictions on selling a product in advance of the ability to use it. Once the game goes live, it's possible for us to do so, but we cannot, for instance, store your credit card information from your purchase of the Prerelease Bonus Pack and then charge you a month later when the game is released. It sounds like such a good idea, but it's not practical in a business sense.

I would welcome the option to purchase the game in advance, I'd be happy for the charge to be made before the game goes live as long as it means I'm not sat here stabbing a button on 31st trying to get in...

I've pre-ordered lots of things online in the past, including Guild Wars. Surely if retailers can advance sell your product you should be able to, too? Not a criticism, just a question.

Engel the Fallen

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2005

Mo/Me

28 Aug 2007 at 00:17 - 32

Some US states have laws restricting how long you have between "purchasing" a product and receiving it.

And the retailers are breaking street date which they are not supposed to do. I know one store I got CD's from, would take the backing out and punch a hole in it when you paid for it, and would not ring you up in the register when they released stuff weeks early.

Why?

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

Society Of Souls [Argh]

N/Me

28 Aug 2007 at 00:18 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharonC

Gaile,

From another company I frequently purchase from, they have stated that you can sell something no more than 90 days prior to available use of that item. (In that case, it is monthly ebook packages. Some major fans wanted to buy the years worth of releases at once and found out that they can buy no more than 3 months early.) In other words, it should be okay to list the purchase of the full game now, since it is to be released Friday. You can charge immediately. You might have Jeff give your credit card processor a call about it. Note: You posted this message as I was posting my other one.

Woodsy

Something tells me those ebooks are not available in retail book shops. Book publishers are crazy strict about selling stuff only on the day they tell you.

Anet has contracts and all sorts of legal mumbo jumbo with the companies they sell stuff through, that is why selling it early is a problem.

unienaule

I dunt even get "Retired"

Join Date: Aug 2005

Fifteen Over Fifty [Rare]

28 Aug 2007 at 00:19 - 34

Buy it early online so it's ready to go come midnight? I'd hit it.

natuxatu

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

Wisconsin

Rt/Mo

28 Aug 2007 at 00:59 - 35

Darn I was just wondering if I would be able to buy it from the store to play right when it goes live.. it would also let me spend enough money in the store to get the mission packs as well... I don't know what i would spend enough money on now to get the mission pack.. unless i could buy it seperate...

As for people getting angry it does clearly say that it will go live on the 31st on the login screen and I could understand them being angry but this is an expansion so they must have logged in before to see the screen. Likewise they must have a campagin already so there is stuff for them to do.

I do understand though ArenaNet does not want retailers to make them look bad so the retailers do have some responsibility on their part...that said I hope I can find one that has it early so it's ready to go at midnight (or 2am for me)

Jwh6913

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

Death Infernal Evil

Mo/R

28 Aug 2007 at 01:34 - 36

+Gaile- how about making the GW lore manuscripts downloadable if you purchase it from the online store? It'd help relieve the pain of waiting a bit longer and actually go for the hard copy just for the fun storybook rather than just downloading it.

CyberMesh0

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Charter Vanguard [CV]

N/Me

28 Aug 2007 at 02:13 - 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdgsax

As far as the people sending angry emails to you, they have nothing to be angry about. They only have themselves to blame. It clearly says on the login screen that the game is coming on August 31, 2007. If these people were unsure and took the time to ask the store clerk at Gamestop, EB Games, etc when the game goes live, it would save them and Anet the frustration. I am sure you and the other employees at Anet have better things to do than deal with stupid people.

QFT. This is the 4TH GW RELEASE and if people don't get it by now, they only have their ignorance to blame, and sympathy is not deserved.

Winterclaw

Wark!!!

Join Date: May 2005

Florida

W/

28 Aug 2007 at 02:23 - 38

Gaile, what about letting people who preorder be allowed to play for the first 2-3 days or so to let them be able to run out to the store and buy it if they can't get it that very day? You guys did something similar with factions I remember.

Nomme Moon

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

28 Aug 2007 at 02:44 - 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

Gaile, what about letting people who preorder be allowed to play for the first 2-3 days or so to let them be able to run out to the store and buy it if they can't get it that very day? You guys did something similar with factions I remember.

I was thinking they may do something like that, but then I remembered that the only reason they did that for Factions was because of the whole CE ordeal, wasn't it?

sindex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

California

Swords of Night & Day [SWRD]

28 Aug 2007 at 03:07 - 40

I think the stores are going to release it early no matter what. I mean when Nightfall came out early, I did not have a problem with it. I waited till it actually went live, like a few others did. However from what I hear there is a “no hold” on EotN being sold early at EB Games, Gamestop, and so on. They all have told me the same thing, which is it will likely come in on Wednesday.

I like to bring up the fact other people have talked about the game being sold early and the day of. In this thread and I kind of agree with the inquiry they bring up.

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10187156

I have to ask the question though. If I pick up the game early and enter the key into my account before the 31st, will I (the valid customer) get penalized from A-net’s point of view?