So I just got my copy of GH: Van Halen...

thguy123 replied on 10-08-2009 2:28 PM | Locked

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stoudman:

I have to agree entirely with Maskim here, this is an underhanded business strategy.

 

Let me use an example. For years Gamestop would sell used DVDs without the original case and artwork at 10-25% off the normal price. Why? Because the case and artwork and contents MATTER to people. It's like if you went in to buy a comic book, would you buy the waterlogged copy or the pristine new copy? Saying it's okay to get the waterlogged copy because you got it "for free" isn't even valid, as most people figured in the price of VH with GH5. These people paid good money for something and were given a lesser quality than they had come to expect. Hell, if I remember correctly some of the advertisements even showed the VH game IN THE CASE. If the advertisement says you can get a game for free, and shows that "free" game in a case, but doesn't show up in a case, does that sound okay to you? No, that's false advertising, and any judge in the country would fault the company for it.

If you walked into that comic book store and was told that if you bought one comic book at full price (that you probably didn't really want) you could have a copy of a comic book you did want for free, and they showed you a pristine copy of that comic book, you might be tempted to go for the deal. However, if after going for the deal they put the pristine copy of the comic book you wanted away, and gave you a tattered version of the comic book with no cover and a couple of pages missing, you would be pissed. Why? Because when it comes to that kind of thing, quality matters. Well, quality matters to a lot of fans of all kinds of media -- DVD, Blu-ray, Video Games, ect. because it's something they show off to people, and not having the best quality possible does hurt the value of the product significantly, as shown in my used DVD example.

Okay, I read that and I can see you don't think about what you type. The advertisements were put up by retailers. Gamestop, Bestbuy and the like have no idea what is going to come with the game. They don't own the company, they just wanted to make money off people buying the game in their store. Even if it was shown in the case by activision, I doubt they had any idea of the condition the disk came in.

Really? where'd you get the idea that a waterlogged comic would be a good example? The waterlogged comic is physically damaged, meaning you can't get full enjoyment of reading the comic. The Guitar Hero: Van Halen game is not physically damaged, is not a demo, and you can get full enjoyment out of it. Unless of course, you get enjoyment out of a case.

I find it humorous that you are complaining it doesn't come with a case or manual. The case is made to hold the disk, not to affect you're enjoyment, solution put it in a disk holder... The manual is made to help you figure out the game, why in the hell would you need the guitar hero van hale manual when you have the guitar hero 5 manual to teach you what you need to know... You make such a big deal out of it it's ridiculus.

I seriously don't understand why you are getting so upset over this. Even if you bought the Guitar Hero 5 game just for Van Halen can you explain to me how this hinders the enjoyment of the game. If you got the game with a case and manual would you have more fun with the same game? Or, are you just complaining just to be a jerk. I'm going with the latter as I have never heard of someone having fun a with a case and manual and not the game itself...

GIBBYVA replied on 10-08-2009 3:29 PM | Locked

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Like many others, I bought GH5 @ retail simply because of the Van Halen. I had planned to buy both in some used game deal like GS B2G1 or with a good online coupon because GH5 just didn't have enough tracks I liked and Van Halen's failure to use songs from both Hager/Roth catalog made this game seem half-assed while full priced.

I'm dissapointed that I will not receive a "full package" version and will most likely unload the free copy and grab the full retail version later, like Band Hero and Lego Rock Band, at a discount price.

To the GH fanboy trashing Rock Band and saying how much a bargain the retail games over DLC is, I also like getting new retail version games with updated or new features but if someone wants to spend $60 on albums or packs from The Who/Boston/Foo Fighters/Chili Peppers versus a $60 GH title that has 10 of the 85 songs they actually like, how is that a better deal?

I like both franchises and think DLC is awesome for this genre. Both have issues though and while I agree that GH has always been more challenging on Guitar/Bass, I think Rock Band 1 & 2 had more challenging drums than World Tour. Rock Band's singing system is also better imo so it works out great for me because both franchises have a different feel. It would suck if they both were identical on all levels.

I had a confirmation on Sept 16th for mine but have not gotten it yet but I think only X360 redemptions have been shipped so far as there's no copies of the PS2/PS3/Wii VH's found anywhere on internet searches.

thguy123 replied on 10-08-2009 3:59 PM | Locked

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GIBBYVA:

To the GH fanboy trashing Rock Band and saying how much a bargain the retail games over DLC is, I also like getting new retail version games with updated or new features but if someone wants to spend $60 on albums or packs from The Who/Boston/Foo Fighters/Chili Peppers versus a $60 GH title that has 10 of the 85 songs they actually like, how is that a better deal?

If you only liked ten you have a big issue with your taste in music...

GIBBYVA replied on 10-08-2009 4:29 PM | Locked

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thguy123:

GIBBYVA:

To the GH fanboy trashing Rock Band and saying how much a bargain the retail games over DLC is, I also like getting new retail version games with updated or new features but if someone wants to spend $60 on albums or packs from The Who/Boston/Foo Fighters/Chili Peppers versus a $60 GH title that has 10 of the 85 songs they actually like, how is that a better deal?

If you only liked ten you have a big issue with your taste in music...

That was an example, I said "they" but if counting for myself, there's 27 tracks I liked on GH5.

In the end, being able to import portions of Smash Hits & WT made the purchase fine for me though, regardless of the VH offer.

Maskim replied on 10-08-2009 4:51 PM | Locked

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The posters and ads were put up by retailers, you're right.  They were supplied to the retailers by *drum roll* Activision!  Activision showed one thing to get you in, and then switched it to another.  That doesn't bother you, on the simple merits of the business practice?  It should, even if you don't personally care about if the game has a case and manual, or not.

The example of a water damaged book when you're shown a pristine one is a good example.  Will some crinkled pages detract from the story?  No.  The story is still the same.  Will it detract from my enjoyment of owning it?  Yes, it surely will.

Zenverse replied on 10-08-2009 5:32 PM | Locked

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Yes, it's not whether or not it's free or that you can still play it fine without the retail packaging, it is the principle of the matter. I'm actually concerned how many people it doesn't bother. Why? Because if we allow companies to do stuff like this, they will keep doing it. Maybe next time it could be Barnie's Playtime on 360 and they promise a free Halo X on a billboard depicting Master Chief smiling at you on the cover art of what looks like a retail size case which would usually include a manual. Most people would be, hell, I'll buy the crappy Barnie game and flip it (or throw it away/give as a gift/use as a frisbee) just so I can get Halo X for free! Then imagine their horror when they get a cardboard sleeve with no manual and a game inside. I'm over exaggerating a little, but I hope it makes my point.

mafafu replied on 10-08-2009 5:37 PM | Locked

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While I can understand the irritation of many, a few points:

1. It is free.
2. You assumed a full package where none was actually promised.
3. It is free.
4. If this is the only reason you bought GH5, Activision already won.
5. It is FREE.
6. This is only Van Roth, not even Van Hagar (though Roth is decidedly better)
7. It is FREE for *@*^'s sake.

Thank you and god bless.

TenTonHammer23 replied on 10-08-2009 5:39 PM | Locked

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So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

mafafu replied on 10-08-2009 5:40 PM | Locked

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TenTonHammer23:

So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

The next time I get a free book in my box of Cheerios, it better be a freaking hardcover.

Zenverse replied on 10-08-2009 5:42 PM | Locked

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mafafu:

While I can understand the irritation of many, a few points:

1. It is free.
2. You assumed a full package where none was actually promised.
3. It is free.
4. If this is the only reason you bought GH5, Activision already won.
5. It is FREE.
6. This is only Van Roth, not even Van Hagar (though Roth is decidedly better)
7. It is FREE for *@*^'s sake.

Thank you and god bless.

Although I think I'll just take it up with Activision and remind myself to never fall prey to this type of marketing again. Lesson learned. And I could use a cappuccino or maybe a ...

Zenverse replied on 10-08-2009 5:45 PM | Locked

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TenTonHammer23:

So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

I'm just feeling bitter about it right now. Can't a girl feel bitter and cranky once and a while? :P

mafafu replied on 10-08-2009 5:48 PM | Locked

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Zenverse:

or maybe a ...

Always a good idea!

G-Nitro replied on 10-08-2009 5:48 PM | Locked

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Zenverse:

TenTonHammer23:

So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

I'm just feeling bitter about it right now. Can't a girl feel bitter and cranky once and a while? :P

usually once a month for 3 to 5 days.

mafafu replied on 10-08-2009 5:50 PM | Locked

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G-Nitro:

Zenverse:

TenTonHammer23:

So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

I'm just feeling bitter about it right now. Can't a girl feel bitter and cranky once and a while? :P

usually once a month for 3 to 5 days.

TenTonHammer23 replied on 10-08-2009 5:54 PM | Locked

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G-Nitro:

Zenverse:

TenTonHammer23:

So I guess I need to send my Mega Blocks Halo Wars figure I just got in the mail back cause it came in a plastic bag and not a box, right?  Point is, promo stuff has come in cheap packaging for years.  As long as I've been on this earth in fact.  Why complain now?

I'm just feeling bitter about it right now. Can't a girl feel bitter and cranky once and a while? :P

usually once a month for 3 to 5 days.

Learn that from hentais? Oh ho ho!  :D