Gothic 4 Issues on Steam
By mzuckerm 5 Comments
So, people are spitting venom on JoWooD's decision to delay the U.S. release of ArcaniA: Gothic 4. Apparently, there were some delays impacting shipment of products to retail stores, and JoWooD was pressured to not release the game online prior to the game's release in brick-and-mortar stores. I can understand the reason behind JoWooD's decision, but I can also understand the anger some people are feeling about getting jerked around by release dates.
My problem here is a little unique. I am an American, but I am spending some time in Spain this year (I'll be here until Christmas or thereabouts). I had an issue with Steam initially not allowing me to purchase games (apparently it recognized my IP address as being European, but my credit card as American, or something like that). Steam worked with me very quickly to get that sorted out. But oddly enough, I generally have had to wait for European release dates (so when Civ 5 was released in the U.S. earlier than in Europe, I had to wait a few days). Not a big deal, and nothing I shouldn't expect. But when it came to this game, where (for once) a European release date was earlier than its U.S. release date, the system seems to be treating me as not European. I can preload, but I can't actually play the game.
What's making matters worse is that I submitted a ticket to Steam as soon as this happened, and it's been radio silence for over two days. No response, no "we're looking into it", nothing. I'd be fine if they just told me that because my situation is a little unique I get games released after they're released EVERYWHERE else. Just some kind of response letting me know where I stand. Steam's customer service was very prompt when it came to getting me to spend money with them; when it comes to fixing problems that don't impact their bottom line, the response time seems to be a bit less stellar. I guess I had been so satisfied with their platform for so long I expected a bit more out of them. Live and learn.
In the meantime, I guess I'll just entertain myself by burning things in Minecraft.
EDIT: And now, with no explanation whatsoever, I was given access to the game on Friday night, more or less splitting the difference between the US and European release dates. Weird.
5 Comments