PC Gaming

[Kharn16]

Hi there,

I have a concern about the shipping of copies for Star Wars: The Old Republic, specifically the Collector’s Edition version of the game.

Earlier this evening the official Star Wars: TOR website announced that there would be no grace period for players to input their retail code (that comes inside the physical retail box) to create a subscription to the game when it officially launches. Immediately after the 7 day early access from Dec 13th – Dec19th (which we have access to due to the preorder codes you have already distributed), if you do not put the retail code in, your account will be locked and you will no longer be able to play. Generally the MMO games that have come out recently give you a week or so of continued play after launch to allow you to get the physical retail game box with the retail key inside.

So essentially players will be able to play for up to 7 days, and then will have to wait for the physical box to show up at our doors in order to keep playing the game. Considering the game releases 5 days before Christmas and is coming in the mail, I am concerned as to when the game is planning to be shipped, as mail will undoubtedly be slow.

There is a topic on the official SWTOR forums made by their online community manager (here:  http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=724271 ) giving the details followed by people going absolutely crazy at the lack of a grace period. Further down in that topic, as well as on twitter (here: http://twitter.com/#!/Rockjaw/status/144645186474082304) the community manager mentions talking to online retailers about shipping the game earlier.

Considering how poorly the entire situation is being handled (multiple times in the past they had announced there *would* be a grace period, and have gone back on that now), and the fact he omitted Canadian retailers at first for ensuring that they ship earlier, it makes me a little concerned about when Im going to get this thing. The thing is, it doesn’t matter when the box is shipped, as you cannot play the game without server access. I could have the game right now and it makes no difference.

Lastly, many people are claiming that they have cancelled their preorders from online retailers (mainly the CE versions) in fear of not getting it in time and have chosen to use either an online digital distributer or have downgraded to a standard edition (no preordering required, in store pick ups).

Anyways, I would just like maybe some assurance that Futureshop is aware of the situation (especially considering it seems theyre going to allow retailers to ship earlier) and that the game will arrive on or before the 20th. It sure would make me feel better.

Thanks, and sorry for the long post (been waiting years for this game). 

[Shimakaze]

From my experience, FS is pretty good at getting preorders to your door right on release day. Release day delivery, unfortunately, does mean that you won't be able to log into TOR right when the game is officially launched (12:01am). If we do get it on the 20th, combined with early access, we should only miss a few hours of game time (that's assuming you're crazy enough about the game to forgo sleep entirely that day). It would be nice to have the game shipped out a few days before launch though, seeing how it's getting close to Christmas. It would also benefit those who still haven't downloaded the client yet for the early access, to save some bandwidth by installing from disc.

[Kane]

Since we are Canadian I'm sure EA / Bioware actually it would not even be them but I'm sure (competitor)'s Head Office in the states will forget to bring this notice over to Canada... But Bioware / EA made pretty bad mistake so they are taking their time and trying get retailers to ship early.
More info: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=724271

So for people who might game a bit and understand what a MMORPG is. They were giving everyone 7 days head access with the pre-order codes. But the second the 20th ticks are games will stop working. Now this was not a problem before since they were planning to offer us a grace period... Well this has changed and they don't want to anymore.. I assume since the 20th near Christmas and etc etc...

So now I hope someone here can try their best and pass this off to corporate so we can see our copies at our houses before the 20th so we don't end up also losing out.

Many places in the US and Eurpe are already delivering the game so I really hope someone looks into this and remember this is a MMORPG. We can't play it till they let us play it. This not like say GTA5 And giving to customers a week early because ohh my the fines the company would get for that would be insane.. Anyways I hope someone checks it out ASAP.

[kahnoleary]

I to am in the same situation, there is no way I am cancelling my CE pre-order. The lack of a grace period is scary now though especially with the release so close to Christmas. Any input from a Futureshop staffer would be greatly appreciated. I have submitted a question directly to customer service as well and I would recommend that route to anyone else who is concerned about the shipping of the item.

Once I receive my response from customer service I will respond again to this message.

[Juice0904]

Just to get something sorted here, the lock out doesn't mean that you can never play the game with account again, does it? Basically, if you don't input the product key by the 20th, you'll be locked out until you do input it. Or is it a permanent lockout for the account?

JB

[kahnoleary]

Its locked out until you get your cd-key. And for us folks that have pre-ordered here at Futureshop from the response that I got from Customer service it seems the item will not ship until December 20th, so that could possibly mean some people might not get this item till after Christmas. Me well I am switching my shipping option, going to pay the extra bucks for faster shipping.

Well just spoke with Customer service and you cannot change your shipping option and they confirmed that the items will ship between December 20th - 22nd.  So if that is true it will seem that a lot of us will be out of the game for awhile. Looks like we are just S.O.L.

[Kharn16]

You will have access to your account again once you put the retail key in. However, there is a reason why most MMOs offer a grace period ~5-7 days after release where you can still play until you put your code in. The game is designed to be played with friends, and if suddenly one person in a group cant play for a week, theyre going to fall behind and be forced to play through the content by themselves. For some reason Bioware/EA, after saying there would be a grace period, changed their minds. 

Anyways, the community manager on the SW: TOR forums keeps saying that he is working with retailers to ship it quicker (link: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?p=12033037#edit12033037). I just hope Futureshop is in on that, as he keeps talking about (competitor) and other American retailers.

It is true about the Europeans, I play with a small group of people from Europe, and many of them have recieved a notice that their game is already shipped and is expected in 1-2 days from now. Some Europeans already have the game and have videos of the unboxxing on youtube. 

[kahnoleary]

Yeah I have been following that thread as much as possible.  Bioware just needs to send out a notice to all retailers and state if you have pre-orders ship them as soon as you get them into the warehouse. That is all it would take.

Hopefully someone at Futureshop is reading this and hey they should contact EA/Bioware and say we have pre-orders and people are concered about not getting the game in time

[Kane]

They are reading this since they locked and moved my post over into here with a merge Will they try to do anything for us and bring it to the attention of the correct people to take a look? eh... Even retailers like Future Shop is encouraging us to go digital and they can retire

[Laura]

hi everyone,

I forwarded this thread to the team at head office and have been told that they are expecting to send out the game on the release day & don't foresee any problems.

Cheers,