Borderlands PC unlock date -why so late?

[Dadd]

There is a lot of fuss on the Gearbox/Borderlands official forum about the PC version being unlocked 6 days later than the console versions.
(http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/index.php)

We were told early on this was due to last minute tweaking, but now that the PC version is actually being sold all over the US, this argument seems a bit weak. Yes- the street date of the 26 has been blown all to heck.
It's reasonable to assume the real reason was to boost sales of the console version that released on the 20th. Nothing unusual about that-In fact, it's pretty commonplace these days.

Lets be real. Anyone buying the console versions because of this gap has already done so. The arguments for any more delay in unlocking the PC version that so many of us already have has been diluted to pointless.

People are squealing like stuck pigs on the forums about unlocking the game early. It's not really fair to blame Gearbox for this, since that would be 2K's call, so...

Can anyone from 2K offer a Yes/No/Kindly pound sand on this one? I would gladly post the response on the Gearbox forums. This would go a long way towards silencing the thunder.

Many thanks,

[frooop]

Good Post!

By the way. Some German Shops are selling the Game already too! And the German release Date is normaly the 30th...

[Dementum]

I am also a costumer who bought the game today at my local retailer. I had no clue that there was a different release date and was shocked that i could not install the game that i just purchased. If the game ain't unlocked until tomorrow, i will simply bring it back to the retailer and purchase another game.

[DigiDee]

I am also a costumer who bought the game today at my local retailer. I had no clue that there was a different release date and was shocked that i could not install the game that i just purchased. If the game ain't unlocked until tomorrow, i will simply bring it back to the retailer and purchase another game.

Well, the simple fact is that you cannot return opened PC software ANYWHERE. You've officially been screwed. Sorry mate.

[Krakn3dfx]

Honestly, I think this will be the last game I buy if there's some weird shady BS marketing reason to delay it beyond the console release. PC gamers suffer from having the game ruined on a lot of level from friends who play it on consoles, and it's just not a fair system to be honest. Loyal PC gamers should not be punished because companies cannot be bothered to lock down their software properly to prevent piracy.

I thought about buying this game on the PS3 until the Steam version, which I've already pre-ordered, unlocked. Then I thought, "What? That's exactly what they want me to do. Well F that!"

Crap like this needs to stop, it's only pissing off an already raped over PC gaming community in an effort to promote some mythical console sales spike.

I'm done with it.

[Dementum]

Well, the simple fact is that you cannot return opened PC software ANYWHERE. You've officially been screwed. Sorry mate.

I act confused and tell the retailer that i can't install the software (which is true). It simply doesn't work (which it doesn't). I will simply ask for a different game, as long the money stays at the retailer they behave nicely.

[DigiDee]

Honestly, I think this will be the last game I buy if there's some weird shady BS marketing reason to delay it beyond the console release. PC gamers suffer from having the game ruined on a lot of level from friends who play it on consoles, and it's just not a fair system to be honest. Loyal PC gamers should not be punished because companies cannot be bothered to lock down their software properly to prevent piracy.

I thought about buying this game on the PS3 until the Steam version, which I've already pre-ordered, unlocked. Then I thought, "What? That's exactly what they want me to do. Well F that!"

Crap like this needs to stop, it's only pissing off an already raped over PC gaming community in an effort to promote some mythical console sales spike.

I'm done with it.

Promote mythical console sales? More like promote piracy. I'm pretty sure at least a few people sitting staring at a box and activation screen will jump on a download if it becomes available. I already have it pre-ordered on steam so there's no sense in that for me, but I'm willing to bet people with a retail copy would do it just to spite 2k at this point.

[Dadd]

I know some of you are a bit caffeinated about this, but let's try to keep this thing G-rated.
Better the chance of an official response if we keep our heads.

[Aiieen]

Well, the simple fact is that you cannot return opened PC software ANYWHERE. You've officially been screwed. Sorry mate.

This isn't always true. I know the GameStops around my area will take back a game if there is a problem. If someone returned a copy saying it would not work, they would allow a return, and then have to ship it back since they could not sell a copy that didn't work. [Even if the reason it didn't work was because he server was not up yet.]

So it is possible, although it would hurt the game if they had to send copies back.

[DigiDee]

I know some of you are a bit caffeinated about this, but let's try to keep this thing G-rated.
Better the chance of an official response if we keep our heads.

Agreed. You catch more flies with honey than with... well you know. But I think people are just itching for an official response, one way or the other.

[DigiDee]

This isn't always true. I know the GameStops around my area will take back a game if there is a problem. If someone returned a copy saying it would not work, they would allow a return, and then have to ship it back since they could not sell a copy that didn't work. [Even if the reason it didn't work was because he server was not up yet.]

So it is possible, although it would hurt the game if they had to send copies back.

I guess you're right. I think it's a shame that something simple as this would put a scar on the huge sales of the console version. Haha, everything was going so well...

[Dementum]

I guess you're right. I think it's a shame that something simple as this would put a scar on the huge sales of the console version. Haha, everything was going so well...

There are allot of people who don't browse forums, or don't have a clue what this Error means that pops up while you install the game. What do you think they will do tomorrow? I can guarantee you they will bring it back.

[DigiDee]

There are allot of people who don't browse forums, or don't have a clue what this Error means that pops up while you install the game. What do you think they will do tomorrow? I can guarantee you they will bring it back.

Well, for their sake, I hope they can.

[Dementum]

Ok guys I am normally not someone who rages easily but this one really really enrages me.

Now we all know that the Street date has been broken by quiet a few shops, but i doubt that it ever happened on such a big scale.

Saturn/Media Markt (for those who dont know them: They are the biggest chain of Electronic Markets in Austria and Germany) have EVERY version of Borderlands ( inculding the pc one) on sale(apparently since yesterday). And i am not talking about single copies, hidden somewhere in the store, NO theres hundreds of copies RIGHT at the entrance on the " new releases" shelves.

Now theres really no more reason to why the game shouldnt be unlocked for every1 .... I mean, hey i preordered and paid so i can play the game sooner then every1 else.


/End rant


oh and heres a pic taken by about 2 hours ago @ ( Wien = Vienna)

SATURN Wien Gerngross
Saturn Electro-Handelsges.m.b.H. Mariahilfer Straße 42-48
1070 Wien


http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/152/22102009027.jpg

:Edit: Oh and ill most likely copy this thread over to the 2k games forums when i return from university ... just venting my rage atm :Edit:

This post was made by fan on the gearbox forums called Panzerlol. He requested it to be posted here.

[Krakn3dfx]

The fact is, the PC version of this game has been sitting in the back room at game stores ever since they got copies of the console versions, so they could have easily sold the game on the PC at the same time as the console release. It's been verified by Best Buy, Gamestop, and several other stores to be the case. This was a power play by 2K/Gearbox meant to increase console sales.

This crap doesn't work, the people that want to buy the console version are going to buy it, and I know of almost 1400 people in a certain shady ass Efnet IRC channel that no doubt downloaded the 360 version early as well.

Tip 2K/Gearbox: Stop screwing your PC customer base or there won't be a PC customer base at all.

[SlayVus]

Sadly... I don't think we'll ever get an official response from 2K on the forums here.

It'd probably be more effect for a large group of people to just keep calling up 2K on the phones and asking for them to release the game early because of the PC street date breakage.

killercheese on GBX forums

[TheVeteran]

The fact is, the PC version of this game has been sitting in the back room at game stores ever since they got copies of the console versions, so they could have easily sold the game on the PC at the same time as the console release. It's been verified by Best Buy, Gamestop, and several other stores to be the case. This was a power play by 2K/Gearbox meant to increase console sales.

This crap doesn't work, the people that want to buy the console version are going to buy it, and I know of almost 1400 people in a certain shady ass Efnet IRC channel that no doubt downloaded the 360 version early as well.

Tip 2K/Gearbox: Stop screwing your PC customer base or there won't be a PC customer base at all.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

It's not just hard copies of the game either. I have a Digital Download for the game from Best Buy which will not complete on it's final step. I find it silly and the only "Optimization" they'll be doing is allowing everyone to play it on the 26th. Stop screwing the consumer 2k, really just 'release' (as if it hasn't been already) the game this weekend, problem solved.

[Kordesh]

Hey 2k! Glad to see your heads are still firmly entrenched in your asses. Keep up the good work in there! I'm sure you can manage to ruin a few more releases if you just keep at it like this! First Bioshock, now Borderlands, lets go for a threepete!

[TheVeteran]

I'm definitely going to be wary of games published by 2k in the future, especially after this ignorance of a real problem that they can and should fix.

[Don Caliente]

2K Games is making a bad business decision at the moment in my humble opinion. Part of the PC gamer community is currently in uproar because of what Infinity Ward / Activision did. There will be no dedicated servers in CoD:MW2 which made a lot of people rage quit their pre-orders. All those gamers have some money to spare now. They won't spend it on Operation Flashpoint Dragon Rising since it has online problems very similar to MW2, plus it got some bad reviews. Borderlands however did well in the gaming press and it is the only alternative to shooter fans who want something new. If they hear about another publisher treating PC gamers like second class citizens, they won't buy BL either. It is just psychology 101.

Shakermaker from the GBX forums

[soodle]

I too agree Borderlands should be released earlier for PC users.

[Doom454]

I'm in this same boat. I've been on edge about Borderlands since it first appeared in a magazine back in 2007. Two years later, I'm getting royally screwed over due to a marketing campaign and a lousy protection method. So while my friend goes on to rant about how much fun his game is, I get to wait a six full days until the game unlocks; after everything and a half has already been spoiled. No doubt if I saw some SecuROM skip program floating around on the web, I'd pounce right on it. I have no issue with paying the wonderful developers of this game my hard earned money; my issues lay in looking at a useless box because of a case of bad publishing.

[varex]

Registered just to put in my two cents.

I was so excited to see that my pre-order for Borderlands had come in today when just yesterday I received an email telling me that my shipment would arrive on the 26th. Then a friend tells me that I apparently can't even play because of online activation? Ohhh the day was going so well up until then! This is a totally lame move 2K. Please strongly consider unlocking the game for your loyal, paying customers.

[Dukey]

Many people are in the same boat, the game has been gold for a LONG time now, and its only 2k holding it up. Ive verified my bestbuy to have the PC version since saturday, unable to release till the 26th.. which is garbage.

what a viral ad campaign.. and terrible marketing exploiting the higher cost of console games, having the game Devs say... "optimization". sad. 2k games along the lines of another bad publisher in a lot of peoples eyes.. gj

also i verified today the gamestops near me will have copies to sell the 24th, 2 days time. STOP SCREWING PEOPLE OVER

[Broadsword]

The worst part is the PC version, which was apparently delayed for optimization, has UI issues that will need to be fixed for a patch! If you're going to make a ****ing excuse to delay a game at least make it a good one! Do they think we are a bunch of idiots? I'm really looking forward to this game and I like GBX so I will buy it anyways but this is the last time I'm putting up with this crap!

[HousePlant87]

If you want it released early, let them know:

usa@take2support.com

[Celestis]

Please unlock the game soon, or give us any good argument why we should not play yet!

[PowerCosmic]

I've registered here for the sole purpose of supporting the opinion that the unlock date needs to be addressed by 2k Games.

One point that I would like to make is that a lot of us PC gamers are working stiffs for whom weekends provide more opportunities to game than weekdays. It would therefore be exceedingly ideal for 2k to pull in the release date to this weekend rather than leaving it on Monday.

Please consider, thank you.

[TheVeteran]

If you want it released early, let them know:

usa@take2support.com

Yes this is a good idea.

Also you can let them know by phone: 1-866-219-9839

[Rebelphoenix]

I thought the SecuRom lesson was learned with Bioshock. Guess not. They just lost a sale from me.

[Crackseed]

Also speaking in favor of some action - it's understandable that the street date breaking may have not been a fault of 2K, but considering the position this puts you in - you can gain alot of favorable word of mouth AND many happy customers by choosing to move up the unlock date.

The ball is in your court and while we simply have to endure and understand if you choose to maintain the original unlock date, there's alot of good press and happy consumers to be had if you make a decision to move the unlock date up

I sure as heck would be happy and I know many others would too! Please consider this.

Sincerely,
Crackseed

[Zoned]

Dear Sir or Ma'am,

I also signed up for these forums for the exclusive purpose of encouraging you to release Borderlands PC early.

Thanks for your consideration,
Zoned

[Fragasm]

Give us the game! Most of us have already purchased it, or have it reserved, and everyone else wants to buy it because it's gonna be huge! What are you waiting for? Be a super cool company and give us what we want, we'll give you our money!

[gamernerd92]

Posting to support the early release. Street date is broken everywhere, people payed $50 for a game that can't even play. Please consider releasing the game early.

[xenoclix]

Come join my Facebook group
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/gr...d=158782244036

Yes i know there was bound to be one eventually! But lets show that we as the customers would like some customer service as we have paid for the game that we cannot use. Goes with any product you purchase, if it dosnt work its "faulty" in a sense - of course in this case its not faulty but a publisher fault that has to be fixed.

[Dukey]

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/member.php?u=2

is the community manager

[SlayVus]

I've relayed the information on 2K/GBX not allowing activation to news sites like QuickJump(qj.net) and ShackNews.

It hasn't been posted yet on the main page.

[Dukey]

I've relayed the information on 2K/GBX not allowing activation to news sites like QuickJump(qj.net) and ShackNews.

It hasn't been posted yet on the main page.

kotaku just made a post, good.. spread the word, this is dumb.

[2K Elizabeth]

Hey guys,

As you may have heard from me already (and have seen on the Gearbox forums) we know about this situation. I'll let you know when I have more to tell you, but as of right now I'm looking in to things!

Thanks.

[TheVeteran]

Hey guys,

As you may have heard from me already (and have seen on the Gearbox forums) we know about this situation. I'll let you know when I have more to tell you, but as of right now I'm looking in to things!

Thanks.

Great, thanks Elizabeth! We appreciate you being engaged on figuring this out with us.