• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

*Really DEAD* Metro 2033 - FREE (Steam activatable / Digital DL)

Page 8 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Something like this happened to the Ubisoft store back in November a bunch of games came up as only a dollar a piece. They blamed it on hackers, but never cancelled anyone's keys I still have a keys for a few games I've never played.
 
Of course they took my key back from steam the other day.
Just got the 'official' email from NVidia.

"Dear Customer,

Thank you for your recent visit to the NVIDIA Online Store.

We apologize for any inconvenience, however the free order you placed for Metro 2033 was based on an invalid promotion that was never intended to be
publicized. All orders placed under this promotion have been cancelled and activation keys have been deactivated.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,
NVIDIA Online Store
Customer Service"

I like the fact that Steam can pull back keys. I know I'm going to get flamed. This allows for just such a situation. It allows us PC gamers to still have PC digital distribution and have it work well, unlike iTunes. The DRM is transparent. Things just work and work well(which is rare). The customers AND the publishers are happy. Well, I'm happy with steam, and harbor no ill feelings towards NVidia, THQ or steam.

I loaded up on the steam games during the holiday deals.
 
mleejr said:
Of course they took my key back from steam the other day.
Just got the 'official' email from NVidia.

"Dear Customer,

Thank you for your recent visit to the NVIDIA Online Store.

We apologize for any inconvenience, however the free order you placed for Metro 2033 was based on an invalid promotion that was never intended to be
publicized. All orders placed under this promotion have been cancelled and activation keys have been deactivated.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,
NVIDIA Online Store
Customer Service"
.
Click to expand...

Got the same email over here. and when looking in steam, metro 2033 is no longer available. They have the right to simply deactivate a game that you bought just like that, no questions asked? Whats stopping other companies from having steam pull all of the other games that you bought?

Doesnt seem right at all..
 
Raider1284 said:
Got the same email over here. and when looking in steam, metro 2033 is no longer available. They have the right to simply deactivate a game that you bought just like that, no questions asked? Whats stopping other companies from having steam pull all of the other games that you bought?

Doesnt seem right at all..
Click to expand...
+1

This is why steam's DRM is so sneaky. No notice *at all* via steam, it just goes *poof*, you have no say in the matter at all.
 
Elixer said:
+1

This is why steam's DRM is so sneaky. No notice *at all* via steam, it just goes *poof*, you have no say in the matter at all.
Click to expand...

I know, they don't even give you an option to uninstall it. You have to do that manually.
 
drw97 said:
I know, they don't even give you an option to uninstall it. You have to do that manually.
Click to expand...

yea, i checked that myself and was annoyed although I can understand why..if they fuck up and delete something else on your system ...people wouldn't be too happy
 
Email received this morning from nVidia:
Hello,

Recently, NVIDIA participated in a promotion that gave our customers access to a free digital download of the game "Metro 2033" when they pre-ordered
THQ's soon to be released game "Homefront".

Unfortunately, our online systems allowed access to the free download without pre-ordering "Homefront". Instructions and links to work around the
promotion were posted online, and before we realized the issue and closed the loophole, some customers were able to download and install "Metro 2033"
without the required pre-order. After closing the loophole, customers who had downloaded the game were no longer able to play it.

We realize that this resulted in a poor experience for some customers and we sincerely apologize for the confusion.

In response to this situation, we would like to re-extend our original offer, along with an additional discount for those who were inconvenienced.
For a limited time, we will give an additional 10% off your total purchase of "Homefront" (which includes the free download of "Metro 2033"), or
anything else in our store. Simply use the coupon code below when checking out. This is a single-use code and expires February 25, 2011 at 2am
CST/Midnight PST.

Homefront + Metro 2033: http://store.nvidia.com/promo/86464300

10% Off Coupon Code - nb6md47az

Thanks and best regards,

The NVIDIA Team
Click to expand...

So that's what happened. Heh, Homefront's plot involves a North Korean takeover of the US about 15 years from now. Okay, sure. $45 bucks w/ coupon code + free Metro 2033.
 
So, was hesitant to bump this but figured some of you might want to check your spam mail 🙂

I just recieved this from Nvidia. For anyone who had an order in, and wanted Homefront(+ free 2033), this would be a decent deal. Even if you don't you have a 10% off coupon anything. I think this was pretty cool of them to do, even though they didn't have to.

Hello,

Recently, NVIDIA participated in a promotion that gave our customers access to a free digital download of the game "Metro 2033" when they pre-ordered
THQ's soon to be released game "Homefront".

Unfortunately, our online systems allowed access to the free download without pre-ordering "Homefront". Instructions and links to work around the
promotion were posted online, and before we realized the issue and closed the loophole, some customers were able to download and install "Metro 2033"
without the required pre-order. After closing the loophole, customers who had downloaded the game were no longer able to play it.

We realize that this resulted in a poor experience for some customers and we sincerely apologize for the confusion.

In response to this situation, we would like to re-extend our original offer, along with an additional discount for those who were inconvenienced.
For a limited time, we will give an additional 10% off your total purchase of "Homefront" (which includes the free download of "Metro 2033"), or
anything else in our store. Simply use the coupon code below when checking out. This is a single-use code and expires February 25, 2011 at 2am
CST/Midnight PST.
 
I think this was pretty cool of them to do, even though they didn't have to.
Click to expand...
So the flow goes something like:
1) Offer something for free, get tons of people to sign up.
2) Revoke free offer... "oops".
3) Keep email address of tons of people that signed up.
4) Send marketing to tons of people who have shown an interest in games, offer a "huge" 10% discount.
5) Profit.

Or maybe I just see the shady side of everyone...
 
Last edited:
lol Pantoot...could be.

Raider1284 said:
Got the same email over here. and when looking in steam, metro 2033 is no longer available. They have the right to simply deactivate a game that you bought just like that, no questions asked? Whats stopping other companies from having steam pull all of the other games that you bought?

Doesnt seem right at all..
Click to expand...

While I agree with the sentiment that it sucks they have the ability to pull any game off your list at any time, this isn't exactly a case of abuse of said power as I understand the situation. I would have loved to pick up Metro 2033 for $0 as well, but it was an honest, if stupid, mistake by NVIDIA.
 
Pantoot said:
So the flow goes something like:
1) Offer something for free, get tons of people to sign up.
2) Revoke free offer... "oops".
3) Keep email address of tons of people that signed up.
4) Send marketing to tons of people who have shown an interest in games, offer a "huge" 10% discount.
5) Profit.

Or maybe I just see the shady side of everyone...
Click to expand...

I get where you are coming from, but in this case I really don't think there was a grand scheme going on. I think they accidentally screwed up the coding, and know they pissed alot of potential buyers off by just pulling it. Most etailers are these days are keen to the deals pages 😉
 
ImpulsE69 said:
I get where you are coming from, but in this case I really don't think there was a grand scheme going on. I think they accidentally screwed up the coding, and know they pissed alot of potential buyers off by just pulling it. Most etailers are these days are keen to the deals pages 😉
Click to expand...

What did P. T. Barnum say ?

Anyway, if they wanted to make up for this mess, they would have allowed the keys to keep working. Offering a 10% "discount" on stuff that is inflated by over 10% is no discount. They still have all the e-mail addresses, and contact info.
 
Pantoot said:
So the flow goes something like:
1) Offer something for free, get tons of people to sign up.
2) Revoke free offer... "oops".
3) Keep email address of tons of people that signed up.
4) Send marketing to tons of people who have shown an interest in games, offer a "huge" 10% discount.
5) Profit.

Or maybe I just see the shady side of everyone...
Click to expand...

Or maybe I just see the shady side of everyone...[/QUOTE]

I think its more like this:
1) Mistakenly have free offer of game that everyone tries to get, even when most know it is not legit due to error.
2) Figure out their mistake and take down the link.
3) Realize they screwed up and offer an olive branch to people to signed up with a coupon off 10% of anything in the store and explain what happened.
4) People bitch because they couldn't play their free game that was never intended to be free.

Wait for next "hot deal" company screw up, bitch about that also when you dont get something for free, rinse repeat.
 
Elixer said:
What did P. T. Barnum say ?

Anyway, if they wanted to make up for this mess, they would have allowed the keys to keep working. Offering a 10% "discount" on stuff that is inflated by over 10% is no discount. They still have all the e-mail addresses, and contact info.
Click to expand...

So what? You put in your email address by your own free will, they didn't force you to do anything or do it with intent of malice. It was an ERROR.

And speaking to the price of their games, that is your opinion.

There is no way they should allow the keys to keep working. Maybe you are in the habit of giving away stuff for free, but Steam is a company that is in the business to make money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top