OK guys, I need some advice. I’m really itching for a game that recently went out (Homeworld 2). I really love the prior games and I am practically racing home after work to buy it.
Now, I’ve shunned games in general because most games simply don’t work “out of the box” and so I normally wait for the price to drop and a few patches to come out but I really want this game.
What legal recourses do I have if I buy the game and it absolutely doesn’t work with my computer? The forums devoted to the game show that many people have issues with playing this game and I’m worried about being one of them. The demo is a possibility but generally demos are so buggy anyways that it’s generally not a good “test”.
The stores as a rule do not allow you to return opened software. I’m really not interested in buying a game for $75 then using said game as a paper weight until it starts working (and of course after the price drops $20). I’m planning on buying the game tonight but not opening it until I really read everything in the forums and get a good idea if the game will work (my system is absolutely “normal” but that didn’t let me run the last game I bought, Master’s of Orion 3).
Anyone have any advice? Any legal recourses if the game doesn’t work? I’m really torn because Sierra has a pretty good track record but, then again, so did many other software companies.
BTW, just wondering if it’s legal to make a copy of an unopened game? I figure (if it’s legal) that once I buy the game, I’ll keep it unopened and then get a copy of the game (don’t ask) and start it up. If it works, I get rid of the copy and open the box. Does this sound legal?
Did I mention I really like Homeworld? I will probably try this method as it allows me to return the unopened game if it doesn’t work.
Basing a judgement on a game by a warezed version can be a bad idea. Often these versions are stripped down to make for a more managable download, missing vocal tracks, music, etc.
There are some stores that have a return policy on SW, can’t recall their name now but I have heard of at least one. I’ve had a store allow me to swap a game for another of the same value before.
Also, try reading lots of reviews, that will give you a sense for whether a game is any good or not - just be sure to read the good and the bad ones. gamerankings.com is a good site to go to for a variety of reviews, ala Rotten Tomatoes.
I just downloaded the demo for Homeworld 2 today, oddly enough. So far it looks like a prettier and somewhat more streamlined version of Homeworld, but I only played the tutorial and part of a skirmish where I lost badly. You should try it.
Some stores, like Best Buy, give you 14 days to return the game for a full refund even if you’ve opened it. I don’t know if there are Best Buys in Toronto, but you might read a little into the return policies of your local stores to see if they offer anything like that.
Some stores let you trade in opened games for a refund within a certain time after purchase, or let you put it on credit towards futiure purchases. Stores that sell used games are more likely to do this, I’ve found.
Futureshop doesn’t allow for returns of opened games, DVDs or CDs. The receipt is pretty specific about returns.
I bought the game (plus Jedi Knight 2 for a good price) and found a full CD warez version of HW2. Burned it, ran it, ran fine (and played the first 3 missions). The box is now opened and the burned copy is gone. Hopefully no one is gonna sue me
Good game BTW, rather slow on my AMD 1700+ with my GeForce 256 pro. This weekend…computer upgrade!
Looks like the forums are full of people having trouble playing with ATI Raedon drivers. Looks like I’m sticking to my ASUS Geforce for a while.
I seem to remember that Electronics Boutique will also accept returns within 7 days, provided that you have your original receipt. It’s been a while since I’ve bought a game from there, though, so their policy may have changed.
