Freeloaders aren't ashamed

[Olivier]

This person wrote to us via our contact form. It really made me laugh (and a bit anger too) so I thought I'd share. It demonstrates the state of mind of some people out there. The "issue" was already discussed here in the forums.
I translated it from French:

Subject: disappointed

Message: What I find disappointing is that your games come from Big Fish. We are 4 in the house to play. Today once more I unnecessarily downloaded 6 games from you which are expired.
I didn't answer so far, and I probably won't.

[electronicStar]

Looks more like someone who isn't familiar with the "try before you buy" model, than a pirate.

[cliffski]

tell him he can have his money back.


I hate some customers.

[jpoag]

http://oliverpearl.com/de/home.php

This game seems familiar to me as well:
http://oliverpearl.com/de/puzzle-games/haunted-hotel.php

However, for totally different reasons. ;-)

[Olivier]

Yep it isn't about piracy. I think it's about people who carry on playing 1-hour demos after 1-hour demos of the same game. That's why that person is complaining, after she found out that the demo she just downloaded had already expired.

So I remembered a discussion we've had here. The important bit was: If you release your game through various portals, make your saves incompatible. So people looking to play more than 1 hour will have to start from the beginning each time. At least it's better than to let those freeloaders finish your game!

[Olivier]

Sorry jpoag I don't really understand what you're meaning. If you mean that the same game can be found twice it's because it is featured at the homepage.

[jpoag]

Actually, it's cause I wrote it. Specifically, as lead programmer.

[Olivier]

Hey sorry for the misunderstanding jpoag. :) I wasn't aware that you've programmed this game. Yet I've quickly checked your website before answering, but I couldn't find it.

[jpoag]

The site is http://www.specialbit.com/ , but it doesn't make any mention of me and we sold the rights to BFG.

I am however, in the Credits!

Sorry, just really proud I guess. :D

[Desktop Gaming]

Le Fuckwits. :mad:

(Can I say fuckwits?)

Seriously, I've done a reply for you.

"4 people in your house, you say? Right, well surely at least ONE of you could get off your fat, lazy arse and get a job. That way you'll be able to afford to buy games properly. Regards, Cliffski xxx". (I've worked in customer services for two years and there's lots you'd love to say if only you were allowed!)

:D

[edit] and I know Cliffski didn't start this thread. Its called putting the blame on somebody else. :D

[Frozen In Ice]

Le Fuckwits. :mad:

"4 people in your house, you say? Right, well surely at least ONE of you could get off your fat, lazy arse and get a job. That way you'll be able to afford to buy games properly. Regards, Cliffski xxx". (I've worked in customer services for two years and there's lots you'd love to say if only you were allowed!)

:D


Doesn't quite match Cliffski's style... (anxiously awaiting for the "real" Cliffski reply) :D

[Desktop Gaming]

Cliffski's solution will probably involve boiling oil, sharp things and/or voodoo. :D

[papillon]

"If there are four people in your house and someone's already played the demo, then you and that other person should share the cost of buying the game. Then you'll both get to play!"

Oblivious helpfulness may have more results than swearing. If you loudly assume that OF COURSE they want to do the right thing, they're probably more likely to feel sheepish and do so than they would if yelled at. Optimistic, I know, but better than nothing?

As a player I was quite surprised when a certain game allowed me to continue my original playthrough from demo to demo without restarting. I did buy it in the end (figuring after playing multiple demos I really ought to) but if the game had been shorter it would have been easily completed during those demos...

[Sybixsus]

It sounds like someone is complaining that they're on a shared computer and if someone else in the house has already tried a demo, they are not able to try it themselves, and they don't know this because they're on a separate user account and can't see what's installed or not.

Which seems like a legitimate complaint to me, if true, but there's not much anyone could do about it. You can make all the expiration data local to each user account - and I have tried it - but what you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts because a certain number of people will spot the easy workaround to playing several hours.

[Olivier]

I agree with papillon. If I decide to answer I certainly won't be rude nor ironical. I'll rather politely explain her why demos must expire, because electronicStar and Sybixsus could be right after all. And in the end this could turn into a sale!

PS: For those like me who didn't knew what a fuckwit is: http://www.fuckwit.info :D

[Desktop Gaming]

I agree with papillon. If I decide to answer I certainly won't be rude nor ironical.I was actually joking. :rolleyes: :p

[Frozen In Ice]

Cliffski's solution will probably involve boiling oil, sharp things and/or voodoo. :D

:D I'm sure we could all come up with some excellent solutions that we could only dream of using... (I'm thinking of those barbaric stretching machines, 300,000 black flies and maybe 4 or 5 gallons of poison ivy secretions) ;)

Cliffski though would probably have the grandest solutions of all ;)

[cliffski]

Dear sir:

I have processed a full refund of everything you have paid, and look forward to your future business.

Someone with Bills to Pay,

[Grey Alien]

Good idea about different saves for different portals.

[Jack Norton]

tsk tsk... too much politeness!! Cliff is losing his temper!! :mad:

[Bad Sector]

Dear sir:

I have processed a full refund of everything you have paid, and look forward to your future business.

Someone with Bills to Pay,

"Where is my money??"

[vjvj]

It sounds like someone is complaining that they're on a shared computer and if someone else in the house has already tried a demo, they are not able to try it themselves, and they don't know this because they're on a separate user account and can't see what's installed or not.

Which seems like a legitimate complaint to me, if true, but there's not much anyone could do about it. You can make all the expiration data local to each user account - and I have tried it - but what you gain on the swings you lose on the roundabouts because a certain number of people will spot the easy workaround to playing several hours.

This is how I interpreted it, too. It's somewhat of a legit complaint, but there's nothing you can realistically do about it.

Seems like an appropriate response would be a kind suggestion to do a better job sharing demos between family members (rather than one person hogging them all), with a gentle reminder that the damn thing was free :)

[jcottier]

Good idea about different saves for different portals.

A nice way to do it is to add the save path/name into your ini file (or whatever you use). So, you don't need to recompile to create a different master. You simply edit the ini file and your master will save with a different path. Making all the saved version not compatible.

JC

[Rhythmic Symphony]

I thought it was really funny. I'm still laughing. The thought that you might actually have to support the people that are making your entertainment possible *GASP!* :eek: