So you wanted the age of digital delivery...

[lupi]

Just because you doubt it doesn't mean it is not true. These digital services are set up to flag your account in event of a chargeback, whether you initiated one or the CC started a fraud hold on the card.

Not saying you couldn't get it back after going through probably substantial effort or getting a word of mouth pr campaign going, but the first reaction will be the revocation.

 

[destrekor]

CountZero, I agree with your points. Google straight up blocks log in attempts that come from outside your IP block. Crazy that Sony allowed an IP from Europe to log into the account and buy that much stuff without ever locking it down. Shows how they have zero safeguards in place. I think I need to rotate my password on my PSN account every month.

I've logged into Google accounts from many different IP blocks, and from "new" devices to boot.

Perhaps if the IP blocks represent European customers and your Google account, up till a few hours ago, showed you in Iowa, they might apply some rigorous analysis. And perhaps they look at distances between locations to determine if things could be legitimate.

To be fair, there have only been a few very rare times that I've logged in both at a remote location AND with a device I've never touched before. Generally I've been on that device before so there is also the cached credential factoring into authentication.

It's also why I've found it odd that I've never had calls about purchases from places that are completely new for me, but perhaps since most of my charges from distant locations are on a USAA account, they might look to see if there are nearby military facilities to account for the sudden difference in location.

 

[cmdrdredd]

That's pretty much what Lifelock is.

That doesn't apply to online game services and other things. There are limits on what they cover.

 

[cmdrdredd]

What you'll need to do that will end up the same as with a non-physical copy, though, in most cases (as carefully skirt around the P-word 🙂).

Explain to me how I'd need to pirate a PS4 or XB1 game. I'd love to hear your explination as to why my disk won't install and play the game.

Not every game I own is on PC. Still, even you admit that I would be 100% able to play all the games I own the install disk for. Whether I need a fixed .exe or whatnot.

 

[Cerb]

Explain to me how I'd need to pirate a PS4 or XB1 game. I'd love to hear your explination as to why my disk won't install and play the game.

You mean Steamworks, Uplay, etc., to hack the activation for, and then acquire patches and other DLC through other channels; like in the forum title? My only consoles are DSes, and I don't have a clue how they're locking down patchable games on the new set-tops.

Still, even you admit that I would be 100% able to play all the games I own the install disk for. Whether I need a fixed .exe or whatnot.

That's much more than the disk. And if you can get that, you can just as easily get the whole game, without a physical copy in the first place. I honestly don't know what would happen if I tried offline-installing some of my recent physical games, because online activity is required, without hacks. In fitting irony, it's been the DD only titles that have not had any such questions attached to them.

 

[Cerb]

That doesn't apply to online game services and other things. There are limits on what they cover.

All insurance is that way. You never make out even without fraud.

 

[Cerb]

I doubt it. A chargeback and a fraudulent claim are different and are handled differently by the bank. The issue was resolved. No way Sony would actually go through with an account ban when the CC was fraudulently used.

And if this is the case, the ethical position of companies w.r.t. bans from chargebacks is much stronger, in that it would mean you are not disputing the correctness of being charged, but the value of what was (or was not) delivered.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You mean Steamworks, Uplay, etc., to hack the activation for, and then acquire patches and other DLC through other channels; like in the forum title? My only consoles are DSes, and I don't have a clue how they're locking down patchable games on the new set-tops.



That's much more than the disk. And if you can get that, you can just as easily get the whole game, without a physical copy in the first place. I honestly don't know what would happen if I tried offline-installing some of my recent physical games, because online activity is required, without hacks. In fitting irony, it's been the DD only titles that have not had any such questions attached to them.

No I am talking about a dick move by a company like valve banning my account because I want to refund a game. So I cannot activate. Therefore one would need alternative methods.

 

[Cerb]

No I am talking about a dick move by a company like valve banning my account because I want to refund a game. So I cannot activate. Therefore one would need alternative methods.

If you can find the required stuff for those alternative methods, you can find complete alternatives, not requiring the disc at all (might even be easier to get, given demand). The disc ends up being just a proof of purchase, but you already have an invoice to that effect anyway.

 

[ronbo613]

No I am talking about a dick move by a company like valve banning my account because I want to refund a game. So I cannot activate. Therefore one would need alternative methods.

I got refunds for a number of Steam games and DLC, luckily, I had just opened an account and bought a bunch of games during their Holiday Sale which they didn't deliver on. Disputed charges with PayPal and got all my money back but Steam banned my account from purchasing any further games, but I was allowed to keep a couple games from another vendor(Humble Bundle).

If I wanted to purchase a game and can't avoid Steam, I'll set up a new email address and use a different credit card. Steam blows and I will avoid them at all costs. As far as "alternative" sources for video games, Steam and game developers bitch and moan how piracy is hurting their business, but have no problem cheating customers who buy the games. With "alternative sourced" video games, the game developers may get screwed but the "customer" does not. If somebody is going to get screwed over a crappy video game, better them than me.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The alternative method for me would be buying it physically so I have the disk and if the game is broken and won't work I can easily return it for something else locally. Despite whatever policy they have, I have always been able to exchange a broken game.

 

[PingSpike]

that's the problem with all digital platforms, even steam.

i -never- keep my credit card on file at any of these companies for this exact reason.

I don't either but I think the only way to mitigate losses against this type of action would be to put each of your steam games in separate account. Then the account gets banned but it only had that game on it so who cares? Its a PITA and kind of throws half the steam experience out the window. I suppose you could put together some kind of password manager.