Caveat Emptor, isn't that what was written in that Business Studies book we had for the Junior Cert? Yes, I'm almost sure. Buyer beware. Well, herein lies a brief description of a lesson learnt in relation to PC games anyway.
Background: With the Interweb becoming more and more prevalent, and more accessible thanks to Broadband services, it appears that more and more games are being released that are played solely through the internet. Predominantly of the RPG type as far as I can see, I knew of one famous one before this week - World of Warcraft.
This is such a phenomenon that people actually pay real money for things like pretend swords. And not even real pretend swords like the ones you get in toyshops, but virtual pretend swords that exist only in some database somewhere that instructs your computer (and everyone else's playing the game) to display this sword in your virtual hand. That's scary in it's own right, but I digress, that's another day's blog. (Can't use them all up too soon now!)
I purchased a game called Everquest II - Desert of Flames (someone's thinking creme brulée, aren't you?) during the week. Pictures on the back look great, spec requirements look like my new PC can handle easy. Decided to hold off installing it until the weekend, I'm playing too much Call of Duty anyway!
Inserting Disc 1 yesterday morning, and something (I don't know what!) makes me check this game up on the web. Mozilla Firefox, google Everquest II, get to the Everquest web page and what do I find. Information on the game, and a funny little link to the information on the monthly fees, which I wasn't expecting to see. Turns out this is one of those RPGs that only works online and is only expensive. The fees are about $14 every month! That's unreal, isn't it? Eject. So, of course I read the box and sure enough, in that little insignificant writing they use...."Internet connection required. Additional subscription fees apply." Rats.
So, what do I do? Try and get rid via eBay? Only cost me €15, is eBaying it worth the hassle? Would the shop take it back? Don't think so, PC games aren't taken back as part ex the same way that Xbox and Playstation games are.
This is a wee warning to you guys. These games lurk in the shops of Ireland. Do not be taken in.
Listening to: Keyboard noise, but I'm just about to drop Anúna into the CD player.
On page: 302 of 500 in the Leonardo book. No excuses, it's just really small text!
Background: With the Interweb becoming more and more prevalent, and more accessible thanks to Broadband services, it appears that more and more games are being released that are played solely through the internet. Predominantly of the RPG type as far as I can see, I knew of one famous one before this week - World of Warcraft.
This is such a phenomenon that people actually pay real money for things like pretend swords. And not even real pretend swords like the ones you get in toyshops, but virtual pretend swords that exist only in some database somewhere that instructs your computer (and everyone else's playing the game) to display this sword in your virtual hand. That's scary in it's own right, but I digress, that's another day's blog. (Can't use them all up too soon now!)
I purchased a game called Everquest II - Desert of Flames (someone's thinking creme brulée, aren't you?) during the week. Pictures on the back look great, spec requirements look like my new PC can handle easy. Decided to hold off installing it until the weekend, I'm playing too much Call of Duty anyway!
Inserting Disc 1 yesterday morning, and something (I don't know what!) makes me check this game up on the web. Mozilla Firefox, google Everquest II, get to the Everquest web page and what do I find. Information on the game, and a funny little link to the information on the monthly fees, which I wasn't expecting to see. Turns out this is one of those RPGs that only works online and is only expensive. The fees are about $14 every month! That's unreal, isn't it? Eject. So, of course I read the box and sure enough, in that little insignificant writing they use...."Internet connection required. Additional subscription fees apply." Rats.
So, what do I do? Try and get rid via eBay? Only cost me €15, is eBaying it worth the hassle? Would the shop take it back? Don't think so, PC games aren't taken back as part ex the same way that Xbox and Playstation games are.
This is a wee warning to you guys. These games lurk in the shops of Ireland. Do not be taken in.
Listening to: Keyboard noise, but I'm just about to drop Anúna into the CD player.
On page: 302 of 500 in the Leonardo book. No excuses, it's just really small text!
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