Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
Man, who would have thought that supposedly shady (at least that's what I thought at first) entrepreneur from Asia would have more integrity than Valve and refund all purchases.
This is what I've been telling in my thread about FRY's orange box. The reason Valve is pushing so hard for online distribution is not because it lowers prices, hah, it's because exactly the opposite - with steam Valve has perfect control over the distribution of its games and can set whatever price it likes, or in this case can deactivate keys bought legitimately from another country.
I really hate supporting a system like this, the only reason I still buy HL games is because I like them so much...
Really, steam is nothing more than a glorified form of DRM.
Originally posted by: tvdang7
Originally posted by: dehemke
I am really getting tired of products being offered at different prices in different parts of the world when artificial means are used to prevent the entire globe from benefiting from the lowest cost. I don't care whether its video game keys or prescription drugs, it is teh suXXor.
not every country's form of money is worth the same thats why. do u expect poor parts of the world to pay our prices?
Originally posted by: Navid
The keys work again!
You need to update steam and all the games come up as installed again.
I don't know if this is permanent or temporary!
Originally posted by: duzytata
Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
Man, who would have thought that supposedly shady (at least that's what I thought at first) entrepreneur from Asia would have more integrity than Valve and refund all purchases.
This is what I've been telling in my thread about FRY's orange box. The reason Valve is pushing so hard for online distribution is not because it lowers prices, hah, it's because exactly the opposite - with steam Valve has perfect control over the distribution of its games and can set whatever price it likes, or in this case can deactivate keys bought legitimately from another country.
I really hate supporting a system like this, the only reason I still buy HL games is because I like them so much...
Really, steam is nothing more than a glorified form of DRM.
Exactly. And what is to stop Valve from deactivating keys or giving problems to people who bought their keys from retail stores at a lower price than the Steam download? I submitted a support ticket to Valve and was basically told that the only way to be sure that I don't have problems is to buy the game though Steam. Can you believe that? They offer a product retail, and stores sell it for less than the digital download. Valve can get all pissy about it because they're not getting their full cut and shut down those user's keys and make them repurchase through Steam. If this isn't what is happening now, then I see it as a high possibility of happening in the future. Valve puts out some great games but their business strategy if fubar and their support is non existent. Valve will never get another dime of my money. TPB here I come.
Originally posted by: Pwntcomputer
People are just whining because their scheme to save some money backfired. THEY EVEN GOT A REFUND!
It's simple. Products are sold at different prices for a number of reasons. Maybe exchange rates, maybe cost of shipping. The REAL reason is simply due to market demand at varying prices.
I know people think they SCORED! by saving $20 on the game by taking advantage of a glitch in the system. You say it's not a glitch? Then why not just buy the game at the 82519863518698 retailers in the US WITHOUT CC scans, DNA, Blood test. It's because you knew it was something you could exploit.
BY BUGMENOT2 AT 10/25/07 09:17 PM
What valve has done is a violation of US Federal and State consumer protection laws.
Under the uniform commercial code, software is explicitly defined as a good. Not a service, not a leased work, and not a license. A good. Most people seem to think that the EULA and license agreements are some kind of bible and that everything they say is true and law. That couldn't be further from the truth. An examination of case law in the US will show that courts have historically sided AGAINST EULAs and other forms of clickwrap and license agreements. And even if the court upheld a EULA, a contract is not a license to break the law. EVER.
Most EULAs are what are considered an unconscionable contract under the law. The negotiating power between the two parties in a EULA (the company and the customer) are disparate, EULAs tend to be one-sided, and they tend to be designed to exploit one party. The courts have frequently refused to enforce such contracts, as Linden Labs can attest to.
The customers in question have made a legal transaction to purchase a copy of The Orange Box. The law does not distinguish the fact that it was bought internationally when it comes to fraud. If the distributors are selling copies of The Orange Box to people in other countries, that is an issue between Valve in the distributor. It does not give them the right however, to steal money from people who have purchased that product.
And no, it isn't the resellers obligation to give a refund, it's Valve's because it is Valve who disabled access to the good in the first place. This is the equivalent of stealing a good that a customer bought from their house.
My advice to the people who were scammed by Valve is two-fold :
1.Issue a chargeback on your credit/debit card.
2.File a complaint with the FTC and your Attorney General against Valve for fraudulent business practices.
Originally posted by: bznotins
Economics 101. Set prices at what the market will bear.
The reason Valve sells the game for $30 more here than in Thailand is because they can.
You don't like it, don't buy it. Or try going through all the hurdles and risks to get your cheap copy from Thailand.
Don't blame Valve for wanting to make money. They're a business. That's what they do.
Originally posted by: UberNeuman
/edit - I'm still getting the out of region message....
Originally posted by: Navid
Originally posted by: UberNeuman
/edit - I'm still getting the out of region message....
Open Steam.
Click on "File".
Click on "Check for Steam Client Updates".
After update is complete and reboot, the games should be back.