Publisher says it generally does not offer refunds for digital games sold through Origin.
SimCity publisher Electronic Arts is not offering refunds for digital copies of the city-building game sold through Origin amid the game's ongoing server woes.
"As a general policy, EA does not offer refunds on any products downloaded through Origin," the company said on its Returns & Cancellations support page.
Gamers who purchased a physical copy of SimCity through the Origin Store can seek a refund as part of the company's 14-day unconditional guarantee.
Origin global community manager Marcel Hatam commented on SimCity's rocky launch in North America on Tuesday, apologizing to gamers through the EA forums. He said (via Polygon), "If you regrettably feel that we let you down, you can of course request a refund for your order." However, Hatam's post has since been edited and now simply reads, "Please review our refund policy," with a link to the above-mentioned document.
In addition, Develop spoke with an Origin customer support representative, who told the site that "refunds are only given in exceptional circumstances." Asked if SimCity's server issues came under that description, the representative said, "Not right now."
SimCity launched today in the United Kingdom, where the game--as promised--is not experiencing notable server issues. For more, check out GameSpot's review of SimCity.
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
Yeah, EA is one of those companies I try not to buy anything from, they screw over the developers and consumers left and right. I'm surprised EA doesn't spend more time in court defending themselves vs finding ways to bind consumers use of the products they stamp their logo on. Really, the only way to stick it to EA is to not buy EA, complaining about them here or to the law seems to produce little change (and all that change goes into lawyer's pockets)
Ahem...."This is the main reason why the new Xbox is already a failure in my eyes at least at this point" Main part "AT LEAST AT THIS POINT." LOL learn to read LOL oh and read this http://www.edge-online.com/news/the-next-xbox-always-online-no-second-hand-games-50gb-blu-ray-discs-and-new-kinect/. So take your lol and learn basic reading comprehension LOL.
@179107199999 So... rumors about next xbox!? what does it have to do with ea screwing consumers?
@oskuuu @179107199999 funny you should ask.You know EA and Microsoft are buddy buddy now.Sim City was perhaps a test to see how Constant Intertnet Connection would do. We'll see how they refine it later on and even if it wasn't a test. MS can learn what to do about a CIC single player game and refine the process or if it proves unfeasible then they can scrap the idea and not go to CIC for all their games.
Why beg EA so much? it's just learning the ways of doing business from Marcus the Gunbringer (sarcasm) :)
Almost 2 and a half years (and counting) of not buying EA products and games for me. I feel for you guys who bought this product and got scammed into giving them your money.
Probably just take a jab at EA again by voting them as the worst company of 2013 or something.
So many people below explaining how EA are greedy and horrible to the video games industry, yet continue to buy their games. Idiots deserve to be ripped off, when will you learn?
As for EA, no surprise. But you'll remain, due to the above.
I just read over at gamesindustyinternational, If you bought your game anywhere but Origins you can get a refund. Origins physical copy the same also. I was curious why not give those who bought digital a refund, since you cannot play the serial number of the game anyways.
It is because with all digital games over at Origins when you check that little box, you are agreeing to you give up all you rights as a consumer. You have no legal rights under the better business bureau for stuff like refunds, class action lawsuits, or liabilities in anyway.
Really makes you think that box copies or buying from a third party like amazon might not be such a bad idea.
"HAHAHAHA!!! We got your money. You got nothing!!! HAHAHA I can't believe you people keep buying from us! PC gamers must be stupid HAHAHAHA!!!" - EA
Call up your credit card company and tell them to dispute the charge!!!!!!
1 Like The EA got an epic fail! EA is just greedy anyway. =/ Thank my god I do not purchase the SimCity game.
Well that's pretty messed up. I wish these idiots wouldn't keep falling for EA's crap.
To be perfectly fair, it's not like they can be sure you actually deleted their product. Once it's downloaded it's downloaded. It's like trying to get a refund for food you took home - no one can be sure you didn't eat it. I don't like EA, but I'm going to be fair about it. Buy a hard copy and you'd have no problem.
@Ghosthunter54 They could always do it like Steam. Once the game is removed from your account, having it installed won't matter, as you have to play it through Steam, which won't authorize you to play anymore.
In fact, since SimCity is an always online game, they could just remove authorization from your account to log on. Then being able to start the game would be pointless.
@gamingpsychotic @Ghosthunter54 Steam like Origins, when you buy a digital copy, you sign away any rights like refunds, class action lawsuits, liabilities, almost any kind of consumer rights. Well you may not be signing it away, but you when you click that checkbox, you pretty much agree to be at the mercy of the seller.
I think it might be wise to buy box copies of always online or buy from a third party like Amazon.
"Regardless that you bought our broken product, we will not provide you with a refund."
Too bad there's no lemon law for video games. EA would be out of business.
2 Like Scum of the earth. What blinding arrogance. They have no idea what they're doing do they. How long do they think they can f*** people over without consequences? SCRAP THE ALWAYS ONLINE. idiots.
fuck EA. is any1 really surprise by this tho? just like the kat under me said. stick to your guns and dont buy into this digital bullshit
1 Like Money spent on digital goods. Their are no laws saying anyone has to reimburst you for digital products as they are not covered under any warranties.
Funny though, if I ever asked steam to give me a refund on a EA game, they always gave it back :p
"Give money BACK? Hell no, we'll just offer lackluster free copies of anything we got that isn't Mass Effect 3, Battlefield 3, anything with 3 in it. Maybe Simcity 3 though, just no dlc. I mean we didn't pull our games off Steam and claimed exclusively only on Origin but were still allowed on affiliated partner's digital services to make quick bucks we don't have to repay, for nothing!"
Oh, EA. How dare those affected by a game they JUST bought and have been unable to enjoy or play at their own leisure, actually have the gall to ask for refunds, right? Giving money BACK lol EA? You people must be new here. <3
Money spent on digital goods. Their are no laws saying anyone has to reimburst you for digital products as they are not covered under any warranties.
Funny though, if I ever asked steam to give me a refund on a EA game, they always gave it back :p
"Give money BACK? Hell no, we'll just offer lackluster free copies of anything we got that isn't Mass Effect 3, Battlefield 3, anything with 3 in it. Maybe Simcity 3 though, just no dlc. I mean we didn't pull our games off Steam and claimed exclusively only on Origin but were still allowed on affiliated partner's digital services to make quick bucks we don't have to repay, for nothing!"
Oh, EA. How dare those affected by a game they JUST bought and have been unable to enjoy or play at their own leisure, actually have the gall to ask for refunds, right? Giving money BACK lol EA? You people must be new here. <3
3 Like I need to talk to EA's lawyers to see if I can make a game to sell digitally, then it turns out I just made menus that go no where and then say no refunds because it's digital only. Seriously, if they can legally do this, we all know what the next world wide scam will be.
1 Like @EnforcerICE Seriously. If this were a small indie game company that released a game that didn't work, they'd be sued to hell and never seen again. Since it's EA they have enough money to buy the rights to screw everyoneover for profit.
2 Like Wait, so EA will fully refund anyone that buys the more expensive to produce physical copy within 14 days if they don't like the game but anyone who buys over Origin, EAs own store, are SOL? When does something like that start to make sense?
@Valen_Ca As soon as you realize that you can keep a downloaded game copy after they return your money and play it anyway - thus getting it for free.
@Ghosthunter54 @Valen_Ca Because it's impossible to do that after you've installed from the disc.
11 Like Okay...the Origin customer support rep said that they only give refunds in exceptional circumstances. Ummm...people not being able to play the game that they spent hard-earned money on IS an exceptional circumstance in my eyes. smdh
This comment has been deleted
@CHROMEFLAMIN That's not a refund request that's asking your bank or credit card company to forcibly get your money back and is specifically against the terms and services in ALL digital service providers including Steam.
@greg0455 @CHROMEFLAMIN If they are doing this to European Union players then they are breaking several countries laws. This could be interesting.
6 Like Way to piss off the very people who put money in your pockets to begin with. Good move EA. Oh, and it's not like you can't afford it. God damn greedy fucks.
1 Like EA needs to do a serious beta extension. They took r jobs! I mean they took r money!
Foreshadowing of what's to come if greedy publishers are allowed to go the all-digital route. I say if I can't physically return it, then I won't buy it. Unless the download is 10$ or less. Thats my rule of thumb. . I've bought games before on xbox live like 5 yrs ago. For whatever reason, these games aren't sold on there anymore. I've had multiple hard drives and now I can't play or download them. If you don't posses a physical copy, then it's hard to prove you ever even bought the product.
1 Like thank god I purchased a physical copy because I was able to refunded this today...
Is this an indication that EA views Origin as an unviable digital sales portal thus any damage to publicity from the decision is inconsequential? I've always wondered how much profit EA actually makes through digital sales on Origin.
1 Like @Unfallen_Satan Alot of money lol they don't give refunds online so they just need to front load sales of games to make sure the moneys in the bank?
Of course the IP and developers may be left to burn in the wake but isn't that what a cash company does?
Buys smaller company's and breaks them up and sells them off or runs them into the ground to maxims profits?
@OldKye I fault EA for much but not their business sense. I think it's unlikely EA would engage in an obvious short-term gain, long term loss practice just for immediate financial gain. If they decide maximum profit comes from milking as much money as possible out of SimCity now, to hell with the future, then they might feel that the SimCity reboot is not a viable long term brand or even that it's unnecessary for consumers to trust Origin purchases (or perhaps they feel such trust is no longer possible). Or they may have other more clever plans. That's what I want to find out.
In wake of server issues, publisher reportedly asks online affiliates to "please stop actively promoting the game" for the time being.
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