Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Project Awakened on hold due to 'alternate funding options,' donors receiving refunds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/project-awakened-on-hold-due-to-alternate-funding-options-don/#comments Phosphor Games has cancelled its self-powered crowdfunding initiative for Project Awakened and will be issuing refunds to everyone that has contributed to the drive thus far, according to a missive of the game's official website.

"At this time we need to put our funding endeavor on hold effective immediately. Everyone who pledged money will be receiving a full refund," the message reads. "There have been some alternative funding options that have recently been presented to us, so please continue to keep an eye out on our Facebook page for future updates."

Phosphor turned to DIY crowdfunding after its initial efforts to raise capital on Kickstarter fell short of the company's goal.

JoystiqProject Awakened on hold due to 'alternate funding options,' donors receiving refunds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceledcancellationcrowdfundingfinancefundingkickstarterpcphosphor-gamesproject-awakenedrefundSat, 04 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowdfunders fail to win Homeworld IP in THQ auction, issue refunds]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/crowdfunders-fail-to-win-homeworld-ip-in-thq-auction-issue-refu/#comments Crowdfunders fail to buy Homeworld IP from THQ, refund bidding moneyWhen THQ went bankrupt and saw several of its IPs heading to the auction block, indie developer teamPixel began crowdfunding bidding money to win the Homeworld property for use in its upcoming space RTS game. Even after garnering $58,644 through a successful Kickstarter campaign and $13,675 on Indiegogo, teamPixel recently announced that it failed to win the Homeworld IP during the auction process.

"We hope you will join us in supporting Homeworld's new owners in building a future for the franchise," the developer said in a Kickstarter update. "We anticipate an announcement of the new owner to be made within a couple weeks and for the sale to be finalized around mid-May."

Well into development on its own Homeworld-inspired strategy game, teamPixel will refund all money earned during its crowdfunding efforts while also offering donors a "special credit" in the game. The developer's "Save Homeworld" site has since transformed to a landing page for tracking donor refunds.

The final THQ auction is expected to earn $6 million to $7 million. First details of the bidding results are expected to be revealed Monday.

JoystiqCrowdfunders fail to win Homeworld IP in THQ auction, issue refunds originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctionbiddingcrowdfundingHomeworldIndieGoGoiosipadiphonekickstartermobilerefundteampixelTHQSat, 20 Apr 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The War Z removed from Steam]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/the-war-z-removed-from-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/the-war-z-removed-from-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/19/the-war-z-removed-from-steam/#comments The War Z removed from SteamHammerpoint Interactive's The War Z has been removed from Steam amid allegations of false advertising from its community, which claims that the developer knowingly listed inaccurate information on The War Z's Steam profile.

Originally, the game's profile touted multiple areas ranging in size from 100 to 400 kilometers and servers capable of handling up to 100 players, according to this screenshot obtained by Gamespy. The profile also stated that The War Z was a "Single Purchase, Downloadable Client with the ability to play the full game without subscriptions or requiring in-game transactions," and failed to mention that this is a "Foundation Release," meaning that the game is still under development, with some areas even marked with alpha testing information.

In actuality, the game only has one zone, and servers were initially capped at a maximum of 50 players, though that issue at least appears to have been corrected. Moreover, The War Z features a microtransactional-based in-game economy, somewhat contradicting its claim of being a "single purchase" game. The profile has since been rejiggered and no longer makes mention of the multiple zones, nor does it make any mention of in-game transactions. It does, however, still neglect information about the game's somewhat early developmental stage.

Continue reading The War Z removed from Steam

JoystiqThe War Z removed from Steam originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arktos-entertainmentfalse-advertisinghammerpoint-interactivepcrefundremovedsteamthe-war-zvalveWed, 19 Dec 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Minecraft XBLA refunds available to SDTV owners]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/minecraft-xbla-refunds-available-to-sdtv-owners/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/minecraft-xbla-refunds-available-to-sdtv-owners/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/minecraft-xbla-refunds-available-to-sdtv-owners/#comments ImageMinecraft's XBLA port features local split-screen multiplayer - but only when played on an HDTV, a stipulation that wasn't ... stipulated very clearly. Microsoft announced two efforts to rebuild the shattered relationship between it and SDTV-owning fans who found themselves lacking in modes. The full (but brief) statement is after the break.

First, Microsoft is now issuing refunds to affected customers who contact the publisher through customer support. Second, it is preventing other customers from being Mineshafted by adding clearer notification to the XBLA listing: "To experience split-screen functionality a high-definition television is required."

Continue reading Minecraft XBLA refunds available to SDTV owners

JoystiqMinecraft XBLA refunds available to SDTV owners originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftMinecraftrefundsdtvxblaxboxMon, 21 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Steam offering refunds to From Dust customers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/report-steam-offering-refunds-to-from-dust-customers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/report-steam-offering-refunds-to-from-dust-customers/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/24/report-steam-offering-refunds-to-from-dust-customers/#comments Ubisoft has authorized Valve to offer refunds to Steam customers who are unhappy with their purchase of the troubled From Dust PC port. Rock Paper Shotgun reports that some of their readers have received emails from Steam support that note: "If you don't want to wait for the patch or if you haven't played the game, per Ubisoft's request, we will issue refunds this title."

Ubisoft's From Dust PC port has been a (dark) comedy of errors. The game suffered though the usual eleventh-hour delay, mixed messaging about DRM, and then bugs and technical issues in the final release. It's quite a shame, since it's actually a pretty good game.

JoystiqReport: Steam offering refunds to From Dust customers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>from-dustpcproject-dustrefundSteamUbisoftWed, 24 Aug 2011 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Some APB players receiving compensation, but denied refund]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/report-some-apb-players-receiving-compensation-but-denied-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/report-some-apb-players-receiving-compensation-but-denied-refu/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/27/report-some-apb-players-receiving-compensation-but-denied-refu/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The short, brutal life of APB (and developer Realtime Words) recently ended, with consumers seemingly unable to reclaim whatever investment they put into the MMO. However, despite not receiving refunds, consumers are reportedly obtaining compensation in other ways.

Gamasutra and Dtoid both report that players have been offered a discount or free game after contacting EA's support line. According to the administrators behind Realtime Worlds' bankruptcy, consumers should contact the retailers from which they purchased the game in order to pursue "entitlement to any refund."

JoystiqReport: Some APB players receiving compensation, but denied refund originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>APBcompensationEAElectronic-ArtspcRealtime-WorldsrefundMon, 27 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Realtime Worlds employees let go, US branch also shutting down]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/final-realtime-worlds-employees-let-go-us-branch-also-shutting/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/final-realtime-worlds-employees-let-go-us-branch-also-shutting/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/final-realtime-worlds-employees-let-go-us-branch-also-shutting/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Though reports last week seemed to indicate that a buyer would swoop in at the last second and save the faltering APB developer Realtime Worlds, the studio has revealed that its remaining 50 employees have been terminated. Sixteen temporary positions are still active to finish shutting down the Dundee studio. The company's US branch, based out of Boulder, Colo., is facing a similar fate, letting go of 33 of its staff, leaving behind a skeleton crew to bring the branch to a close. A Realtime spokesperson told Develop that the studio is "now likely to apply for Chapter 7 Protection."

Begbies Traynor, the firm responsible for the company's administration, is also under fire from a handful of sources both internal and otherwise. Develop reports that a number of ex-Realtime employees claim they've been denied their redundancy pay -- a claim which a Begbies Traynor spokesperson responded to by saying, "redundancy payment will be made in accordance with current UK legislation."

Continue reading Final Realtime Worlds employees let go, US branch also shutting down

JoystiqFinal Realtime Worlds employees let go, US branch also shutting down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>APBbegbies-traynor-groupclosureepic-gameslayoffsmark-reinpcrealtime-worldsredundancyrefundshutdownFri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LGJ: Does PS3 Firmware 3.21 come with a refund?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/does-ps3-firmware-3-21-come-with-a-refund/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/does-ps3-firmware-3-21-come-with-a-refund/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/does-ps3-firmware-3-21-come-with-a-refund/#commentsFiled under:

Mark Methenitis contributes Law of the Game on Joystiq ("LGJ"), a column on legal issues as they relate to video games:

[Flickr: DeclanTM]
By now you've installed the PS3 Firmware 3.21 update that removes the "Other OS" option (more or less) from your console. (You've at least read about it.) Besides angering the PS3 users who had been enjoying the Other OS feature, this incident has had some unintended consequences in the realm of consumer protection and warranty laws, both in the US and abroad. It's certainly a bit of an unusual situation, but hopefully this column will provide you a bit of an explanation on a global scale, and answer the question, can I get a refund?

For anyone who's not clear on what laws are involved, the broad areas of consumer protection and warranties both deal with protecting the purchasers of products from those who make or sell those products. The idea being that you should be entitled to purchase and own the product that you intended to buy, rather than something that's misleading, fraudulent, likely to break on its own, or broken. This is to help ensure the integrity of the marketplace, which helps secure consumer confidence. After all, aren't you more likely to buy a game console when you know it's a game console and (if new) covered by a warranty against defects, rather than an empty case or a box with bricks in it?

Continue reading LGJ: Does PS3 Firmware 3.21 come with a refund?

JoystiqLGJ: Does PS3 Firmware 3.21 come with a refund? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncolumnsconsumer-protectionlawlaw-of-the-gamelegallgjlinuxother-osps3-firmwareps3-firmware-2.31refundyellow-dog-linuxThu, 15 Apr 2010 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Free NES game now available to Internet Channel buyers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/free-nes-game-now-available-to-internet-channel-buyers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/free-nes-game-now-available-to-internet-channel-buyers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/free-nes-game-now-available-to-internet-channel-buyers/#commentsGood news for the people who were unfortunate enough to get the Wii Internet Channel between July 1, 2007 and September 1 of this year. Yes, you may have gotten taken for 5 bucks, but with today's Wii update, Nintendo of America is giving that money back to you in the form of a free NES game from the Virtual Console. You'll see the message when you turn your Wii on, as with all updates.

Don't take too long pretending to face a tough decision, because this offer will expire at the end of the year. Just buy River City Ransom and enjoy it! If you've already got River City Ransom, we've heard good things about that "Castlevania" series.

JoystiqFree NES game now available to Internet Channel buyers originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>internet-channelnesoperarefundriver-city-ransomWed, 21 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: E74 victims should have received refund check by now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-e74-victims-should-have-received-refund-check-by-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-e74-victims-should-have-received-refund-check-by-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/01/psa-e74-victims-should-have-received-refund-check-by-now/#comments
If your Xbox 360 fell victim to the E74 error and you paid Microsoft for the repair, you should have received a refund check back from the company by today. If you paid for a repair and have yet to receive a check, you'll need to follow up with Microsoft before the hard deadline of November 1, 2009. After that ... well, you're just going to have to eat it.

The E74 error was placed under a similar warranty to that of the Xbox 360's "Red Ring of Death," after data revealed it was another widespread defect for the console.

[Thanks, Matt L]

JoystiqPSA: E74 victims should have received refund check by now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>defecte74microsoftrefundrrodXbox-360Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision offering refunds for Wii version of Guitar Hero III]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/activision-offering-refunds-for-wii-version-of-guitar-hero-iii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/activision-offering-refunds-for-wii-version-of-guitar-hero-iii/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/24/activision-offering-refunds-for-wii-version-of-guitar-hero-iii/#commentsFiled under: ,


As our bat-eared readers discovered when the game was first released, the Wii edition of Guitar Hero III, though advertised as possessing Dolby Surround Sound capabilities, could only duplicate one channel of audio through multiple speakers (a.k.a. mono sound). Incensed, Nintendo's virtual troubadours demanded action -- Activision responded with a somewhat less-than-timely disc replacement program. Now, four months after the game was released, Activision has announced another method of atonement for their single-channel sins.

Instead of replacing your half-mute disc with a standard one (though this option is still available), you can now replace said disc with cold, hard cash (or warm, soft cash, depending on your local climate and the weariness of the bills you receive). While we're sure this policy will be exploited by those who tire of faux rocking and simply want the cash, it's refreshing to see Actie-V face their shortcomings so directly -- if not a tad unpunctually.

[Via Evil Avatar]

JoystiqActivision offering refunds for Wii version of Guitar Hero III originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionguitar-hero-iiiguitarheroguitarheroiiineversoftnintendorefundreplacementwiiSun, 24 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA to refund Australian Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for lack of online play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-refund-australian-medal-of-honor-heroes-2-purchases/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-refund-australian-medal-of-honor-heroes-2-purchases/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/ea-to-refund-australian-medal-of-honor-heroes-2-purchases/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you purchased an Australian copy of Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for Wii, you may be surprised to find the game devoid of the much-touted online multiplayer. That surprise is likely exacerbated by the mention of online multiplayer both in the game's instruction manual and the official Australian web site. (As of this writing, mentions to multiplayer on the site have been removed.)

Looking to retain some, erm, honor in the situation, publisher Electronic Arts is offering a refund. Said the company (via IGN), "We made an error in the documentation and marketing materials. We are very sorry to have caused confusion for our customers. We will provide a refund to anyone in Australia who wishes to return the game to EA because of the lack of online functionality." We couldn't find details on the support page as to how the refund will work, and EA is not giving a reason for the missing 32-player mayhem.

Gallery: Medal of Honor Heroes 2



[Via NWF]

JoystiqEA to refund Australian Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for lack of online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmedal-of-honormedal-of-honor-heroes-2mohh2multiplayeronlinrefundWiiMon, 11 Feb 2008 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Medal of No-Online confirmed for Australia, refund available]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/medal-of-no-online-confirmed-for-australia-refund-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/medal-of-no-online-confirmed-for-australia-refund-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/medal-of-no-online-confirmed-for-australia-refund-available/#commentsFiled under: ,

At least it's good to know we didn't get all angried up for nothing: the online multiplayer functionality has, as rumored last week, been removed from the Australian release of Medal of Honor 2: Heroes. This omission clearly happened late in development, as the manual continues to describe online play. EA had no explanation for the excision of online play, leading us to conjecture that the cause is very personally embarrassing. Maybe someone on staff accidentally saved over the multiplayer code with a copy of some Mr. Belvedere fanfiction, for example.

IGN speculated that EA's Australian branch opted not to operate the local servers that would be necessary for online play. That sounds more plausible and less interesting than the Mr. Belvedere thing.

If you bought Heroes 2 expecting online, and are now outraged at the incompleteness of your game, you can return it to EA for a full refund.

JoystiqMedal of No-Online confirmed for Australia, refund available originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaeafpsmedal-of-honormedalofhonorheroes2refundwwiiMon, 11 Feb 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony refunding broken PSN games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/sony-refunding-broken-psn-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/sony-refunding-broken-psn-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/10/sony-refunding-broken-psn-games/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Eurogamer reports that Sony is refunding gamers who purchased Spyro 2: Gateway of Glimmer and MediEvil following "significant technical issues." In essence, the games were broken. People will have their purchase refunded to them in the next seven days.

There's still no word yet on whether Crash Bandicoot 2 will also have a refund following its removal from the PlayStation store. It's not like XBLA has been immune to bug issues, most notable were the Mad Tracks "stuck in demo" bug and Contra's out-of-sync co-op. Just another day in the land of QA. Someone should make a musical about it.

JoystiqSony refunding broken PSN games originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bugserroreuropePS3psnqarefundxblaXbox-360Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 warranty extended, repairs refunded]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/xbox-360-warranty-extended-repairs-refunded/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/xbox-360-warranty-extended-repairs-refunded/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/22/xbox-360-warranty-extended-repairs-refunded/#commentsFiled under:


Microsoft is extending the Xbox 360's manufacturer's warranty in North America from a puny (and competitively unimpressive) 90-days to the more reasonable (and competitive) one year. What spurred this holiday generosity? Perhaps it was Sony and Nintendo's one year warranties (don't forget to register to get a free 90-day bonus from Ninty)? Or perhaps old man Gates was visited by three ghosts in the night?

Regardless, they're making right by their customers who've already had their console repaired by making the offer retroactive. That's right 'stiqers! If you've forked over $140 to Microsoft to fix your 91-day-old 360 you're entitled to a refund. The best part, you don't have to request a rebate, Microsoft will mail a check out (presumably to the address they mailed your 360 to) in about 10 weeks. Anyone (besides Alexander) expecting a $140 Christmas present from Uncle Bill?

Read -- Microsoft Extends Xbox 360 Warranty to One Year press release
Scrutinize -- The NEW Xbox 360 product warranty

JoystiqXbox 360 warranty extended, repairs refunded originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>RefundwarrantyXbox-360Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:33:00 EST