Dyre Straits

My younger son picked up a copy of the game at Wal-Mart. When he got it home and tried to install it, it rejected the installation due to not meeting the system requirements.

However, on the box the game came in, there ARE NO system requirements listed or noted anywhere at all on the exterior. That makes it necessary to actually OPEN the package before finding out whether the system is up to par. Even then, there are actually no system requirements listed in the manual, either!

In the manual for the game, on Page 10, under Performance Tips is this Sub-Heading:
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System Requirements

"It is essential that your PC meets the Minimum Requirements as detailed on the game's packaging. If you are experiencing poor performance, check to make sure you system hardware supports the requirements."
__________________________________________________ ____

He had asked one of the sales clerks whether his PC would run the game while he was still at the store. He even pointed out that he was asking because there was nothing on the package to indicate whether it would or not. He was told, by the salesclerk, that if the game wouldn't work to bring it back for a refund.

So, that's what he did. He took it back with the receipt and was told he could NOT return a PC game that has been opened because it would be a violation of Federal Copyright Law.

Not only did they not refund his money, they also kept his receipt!

He went to a second Wal-Mart and tried to explain the situation to them. They also refused to refund or even exchange the game for another one. Same reason: Violation of Federal Copyright Law.

Now, I know it's a policy of the stores not to accept an opened PC game. It's been that way for a long, long time now. And, I'm not one bit surprised that the store actually refused to do a refund. But, this is the first that I've heard that it's actually a violation of Federal Copyright Law for a store to issue a refund on an open PC game.

BUT, with no indication on the package of what's required, AND with the salesclerk telling him he could return it, it creates a whole other angle to consider. Or, two or three!

Just WHY would EA produce a package that omits the essential information to begin with? And then WHY would the manual state to check the packaging when the information doesn't exist there? And, WHY does this information not even exist in the manual itself?

Has anyone else bought the game and noticed a lack of this information on the package?

What would you do in this situation?

For us, it's another notch to add to EA's sorry business practices.

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BlueMak

I buy games since the mid 80s. I have never seen packaging without a list for hardware requirements.

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The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

Dyre Straits

I KNOW! That's what's so insane about this whole thing! But, I have the box right here in front of me and the manual now, too. There is NOTHING on the box to indicate any type of hardware requirement at all.

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>GSXR<mrbusa

I love stories like these.
Game makers have been exploiting that federal copyright law in more ways than one every since it starting being enforced. Todays marketing practice by all big digital media business is not to convince the consumer of a good product but it is to convince us of a product just good enough to try. That goes for movies, games, music, and software. They know that once they have it in your hand then it is yours and they have your money just the same. That is the real reason they are going after illegal downloaders. Don't for a second think that EA not putting the system minimum requirements wasn't a marketing strategy. I know I always put a twist on my theories but it is true just the same.

BlueMak

It's quite funny if you think about it. I remember buying games for my Atari ST and there it was, syster requirements, Atari ST lol Though later they would include more details like double sided drive or 1Meg RAM.

It sounds to me (EA) like a mistake, I can't believe they would not include it on purpose.

Perhaps next time check online before you go out to buy a game.

I would tell you to stop buying EA games, but, that's like half the games out there.

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The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

Da_Jewish_Fonzy

I decided a couple of years ago to boycott EA. As a general rule I avoid anything EA although it is getting rather difficult as they now publish a bunch of games as well as develop a lot, for instace the upcoming Crysis which I will not miss will be Published by EA. But yea, the only way to hurt EA is with our wallets and simply stop buying their crap. I make an effort to tell others my feelings on EA.

MIG-31

The specs are on the Uk DVD Cover.It lists both specs starting with the Minimum in bold.And the recomended in small print underneath.

What happened at the store is in my opinion quite Poor service.I'd try to make a bigger point that he was told he was told a refund was possible.And if possible (may not be to easy) try to find the person who said that.

And surely no store should keep the receipt for the purchass either.

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Dyre Straits

He did that, too. He went to the salesclerk, the salesclerk sent him to customer service, customer service said they couldn't do it. Then he got a store manager involved and the store manager said, "We can't do it...end of story."

But, like I said, the box I have here has absolutely no information on it about system requirements.

Since my son can't get his money back. And, since he can't play it on his system, he left it with me and will come play it from time to time. So, essentially, I got a 'freebie' because I can play it now, too. That's about the only 'good' to come out of this.

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BlueMak

I would give him half the money if I were you. Unless your son is in his 40s.

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The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

Vikingod

In the US, I've seen system reqs on the "anti-theft" sticker that keeps the package closed. If that is removed and discarded, there is essencially nothing on the box to tell the reqs.

MIG-31

I presumed he may of done so.

Typical case of "pass the buck" to somebody else which for me it don't improve the after sales service or reputation of a store.It's even worse if similar examples are to be dealt with over the telephone.

But i don't know if it's the same over in the us than it is here.Most stores i use tend to have notices up on what can't be returned (Unless damaged) on the shelves that contain non-returnable items.

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Mousey

I smell lawsuits ;p
I'd say go all the way and get your friggin refund, contact the Better Business Beareu that's been mentioned a few times in my Razer vs Logitech thread
They should be able to get something done about it

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Dyre Straits

Well, he's in his mid-30s, so, that's close enough. What he decided was to let us keep it here and he'll come play it, too. We just have to keep backing up our saved games is all.

I asked about that, too. But, neither my son nor the store clerk could find any information. That's why the clerk told him if it didn't work, he could bring it back.

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Dyre Straits

UPDATE:

I had another reason to stop by my local Wal-Mart on the way home and decided to check out the shelves at this particular store. All the PC boxes for MoH:Airborne DID, INDEED have a Security Seal on the top of the DVD box that also listed the System Requirements.

We've concluded that someone must have tampered with the one/s that were at the location where my son bought his because neither he nor the store clerk could find anything on the boxes indicating any such requirements.

OR, a shipment got sent out without the security labels somehow.

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HawgsHead

Does this game require snotty Vista or will XP do?

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Rig specs to the left in the boxes....X-Box 360 w/Hitachi 42" HDTV....If Darwins theory of evolution is true then why are monkeys still monkeys?It takes much more faith to believe in Darwin's theory over the Genesis account of creation.

MIG-31

XP Is supported

Minimum Specs.

OS: Win XP/Vista
CPU: 2.8GHZ
Memory: 1G
HDD: 9.1G
DVD: 8x
Video Card: 128mb pixal shader 3.0
Sound Card: DX9.0c
Direct X: 9.0c

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HawgsHead

I love to go to the WallyWorld and just sit and watch people while my wife shops.

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Rig specs to the left in the boxes....X-Box 360 w/Hitachi 42" HDTV....If Darwins theory of evolution is true then why are monkeys still monkeys?It takes much more faith to believe in Darwin's theory over the Genesis account of creation.

HawgsHead

Thank U sir.

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Rig specs to the left in the boxes....X-Box 360 w/Hitachi 42" HDTV....If Darwins theory of evolution is true then why are monkeys still monkeys?It takes much more faith to believe in Darwin's theory over the Genesis account of creation.

MIG-31

No problem m8. And it's good to see you back again after you're injury.

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BlueMak

The demo works fine on XP.

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The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis
This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm Sic semper tyrannis.

Dyre Straits

The game is working just fine...and a very awesome experience it is at that! on XP. Rig in the Profile at left.

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