Bought the Explorers pack which advertised a pre-start of 0800 today (UTC time), which has passed. Can't get in and apparently, from the forums, although the Explorer pack start time is today, it only applies if you bought the explorer pack by 26th Feb. So, you can have an explorer pack costing 49.99 and not get access to the Explorer early start time.
There's about 100 people on the official forums complaining about the shoddy treatment, and the list is growing. My faith in the company is now already broken. This particular nuance was not made clear through the purchase process i.e. buy explorer pack and explore pack start time is today, but not for everyone it seems.
Comments
The fact that there are many many unhappy customers tells you the company messed up their marketing and failed to manage expectations.
Here is the launch screen. I have Explorer Package. So tell me where it says that only pre-orders (which mine was as I bought it before the launch days) will get in. The marketing and advertising is shocking because when you buy the Explorer's package and that start day is today, combined with the above, you expect to get in.
They've taken the forums down now because they don't like what people are telling them. Not just me, but hundreds.
So tell me, if so many customers feel misled, someone has to have failed in how the product was marketed and advertised.
Anyway , what is a few days in an MMO ? If it would matter the MMO would not be worth it anyway.
This is their timeline news page:
Launch is approaching rapidly and we’d like to share an insight on our planned roadmap for the next 2 weeks. Additional details can be found at the bottom.
16.02
• Pre-Download of CBT2 Client is available on your ACCOUNT page
• Winners from the Beauty & Beast contest will be announced in our forum
• Additional CBT2 keys will be distributed by end of date UTC to those who registered
17.02 | 08:00 UTC
• Everyone who reserved his name by 08:00 UTC will be able to use his reserved name during CBT2 to test this feature
18.02 | 08:00 UTC
• CBT2 will start; follow us for details about patch notes, events and news in our forum
**Relevant threads for CBT2 will be updated before CBT2 start.
22.02 | 08:00 UTC
• CBT2 will be closed
• Character Creator will be closed
• Redeem page for CBT2 keys will be closed
26.02 | 08:00 UTC
• Pre-Order will be closed
27.02 | 08:00 UTC
• Name Reservation will be closed
28.02 | 08:00 UTC
• Soft Launch for Early Access who pre-ordered the Conqueror’s Package will begin
• Claiming process for Pre-Order Packages will begin
01.03 | 08:00 UTC
• Soft Launch for Early Access who pre-ordered the Explorer’s Package will begin
02.03 | 08:00 UTC
• Soft Launch for Early Access who pre-ordered the Traveler’s Package will begin
03.03| 08:00 UTC
• Hard Launch for everyone who purchased the game will begin
• Cash Shop will be opened
If you Pre-Ordered - which they state finished on the 26th, then Soft Launch is available for those who Pre-Ordered.
Buying before the launch date counts as a pre-order to most people, and nothing on the screen suggested otherwise. Point is that IT WAS NOT EXPLICITLY clear to people that there is a specific pre-order period unless they searched the news page. Special rules should be clear on the path you need to take to make the purchase.
Am not going to say any more as it's all here http://forum.blackdesertonline.com/index.php?/topic/26917-explorers-package-cant-login/&page=1
Still as has been said earlier, it's not the end of the world if you missed their timeline announcement, just a couple of days before getting in.
It'll still be chaotic on the 3rd with the rush.........and.......
Just waiting for the "it's impossible to play with all these 7 day guest pass free-loaders around, they should be banned!"
I knew this would happen the moment i saw they didn't change the names of them, cause ppl never read or do any research they just blindly mash buy.
It's very bad form to not include a CLEAR warning on the item info page if certain of the benefits no longer apply at the time of sale.
Was it simply ineptitude or calculated dishonesty ?
We'll see how things develop over the next few weeks/months, but I suspect this will not be the last of the "questionable" actions. "Bait-and-Switch" seems to be a standard Daum tactic...
It's a lie by omission.
.
If you pay for a game before launch day, it's not actually a "Pre-Order" unless the company says so ?
Welcome to the new world order, lol
1. McDonald's coffee is served very hot
2. Never run with scissors
3. Fire is hot, so be careful when using lighters
Look, a simple oversight occurred, unfortunate but not a deliberate attempt to lie or defraud customers
I hope they quickly and willingly refund those people who are over dramatizing the situation, their value as a customer and community member is suspect.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Since you are comparing it to this then I say your logic is that people shouldn't be refunded because they clearly overlooked a warning! therefor it is not the company's liability to pay refund them! it was not mislead. Your statement contradicts itself and doesn't make alot of sense in either way. Unless of course there is some sarcasm in there, but it was pretty poor imo.
https://blackdesert.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/206159411-Can-I-cancel-the-purchase-of-a-pre-order-package-
Edit:
Also you have to check a check box that makes you waive your right to refund altogether if you start the client
http://imgur.com/jv2Q4sG
Since everyone has at least downloaded the client they can't refund.