From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:20:04 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 17:47 this Friday (GMT): >>

Wait, didn't we just do one of these stupid things two weeks ago? And
another one just a fortnight prior to that? What's going on? Didn't
these polls used to be monthly (if that often?) Yeah, well, the thing
is that I got a list of ideas for future polls... and that list keeps
getting longer. I gotta start shoving some of them out the door before
that list evolves into a spreadsheet. I really don't need ANOTHER
spreadsheet in my life. ;-)


Preliminaries done; let's get to this latest Completely Random and
Pointless Poll!

----------------

Question: Do you ever return games you've bought for a refund?

a) Nope. I buy the game and it's mine forever, regardless
of any issues.

b) Only if there is something really wrong with it (the
disc is broken or it's missing something important from
the box)

c) Sure, if the game is too buggy to run on my computer

d) If the game works but there's something about it I
disagree with (say, discovering it has Denuvo) that wasn't
disclosed before purchase, I don't see why I shouldn't

e) If I try it and don't like it, back it goes!

f) Ran it, played it, liked it but it's done before the
return period ends; why shouldn't I get my money back?

g) If they'll take it back, it's going back

h) I never purchase my games, so this concept of
'returns' does not apply to me

&) I am an iconoclast who refuses your options and instead
offers my own suggestion: ___________________________



----------------

Ideally, I'd fall into option A but realistically, I tend to go with
option B. I'm a big believer in "caveat emptor" and if I buy something
and it doesn't suit me (or has problems running on my rig), I believe
I've only myself to blame. It's only if I pay for a game and -for
whatever reason- I don't GET it that I start making a fuss and
demanding my money back. Some examples in my own personal history
include buying a game and there was a disc missing in the box, or the
manual was missing (and it was impossible to play the game without it
because of copy-protection), or the download link doesn't work.

I tend to be more forgiving of bugs than I should, but that's probably
because a) I'm usually technically adept that I can get a game
running, or have enough 'spare' computers that even if the game
doesn't run on one platform, I can get it working on another.
Similarly, I give the publishers a pass about unspecified DRM because
I figure that's something _I_ should have looked into before
purchasing if it was such a deal breaker.

But that's just me. Where do you draw the line? Do you return games
for refunds?

I firmly fall into the E category here. I always feel a bit bad about >spending money for games, so if its not something I super enjoy, then
it's going back in the Steam shelves. I remember refunding Terraria bc
it didn't click with me. For more story based games, if I DO finish it
in the period, I will refund it too (pony island). I usually don't
refund games under 5$ tho.

Don't feel that bad. There's no right and wrong to these answers
(well, maybe if I'd added a "I steal the game then bring it back for
money", that would be wrong, but the other options are forgivable ;-)
and I didn't want to imply any sort of moral high-ground. I could even
argue that sticking to my guns with options A and B are not only
silly, but encourage bad practices on the part of retailers and
publishers, whereas taking back a product after you find it isn't to
your taste sends a clearer message.

I think Valve does a good job with its refund policy that's fairest
for all around; it's a full refund, but with a time limit (both in
terms of how long since you've purchased and how long you played the
game). If you aren't trying to cheat that system, then there's no need
to feel bad about demanding your cash back after you try a game and
find its not to taste.


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 16:32 this Wednesday (GMT):

On Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:20:04 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07
<candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote at 17:47 this Friday (GMT):

Wait, didn't we just do one of these stupid things two weeks ago? And
another one just a fortnight prior to that? What's going on? Didn't
these polls used to be monthly (if that often?) Yeah, well, the thing
is that I got a list of ideas for future polls... and that list keeps
getting longer. I gotta start shoving some of them out the door before
that list evolves into a spreadsheet. I really don't need ANOTHER
spreadsheet in my life. ;-)


Preliminaries done; let's get to this latest Completely Random and
Pointless Poll!

----------------

Question: Do you ever return games you've bought for a refund?

a) Nope. I buy the game and it's mine forever, regardless
of any issues.

b) Only if there is something really wrong with it (the
disc is broken or it's missing something important from
the box)

c) Sure, if the game is too buggy to run on my computer

d) If the game works but there's something about it I
disagree with (say, discovering it has Denuvo) that wasn't
disclosed before purchase, I don't see why I shouldn't

e) If I try it and don't like it, back it goes!

f) Ran it, played it, liked it but it's done before the
return period ends; why shouldn't I get my money back?

g) If they'll take it back, it's going back

h) I never purchase my games, so this concept of
'returns' does not apply to me

&) I am an iconoclast who refuses your options and instead
offers my own suggestion: ___________________________



----------------

Ideally, I'd fall into option A but realistically, I tend to go with
option B. I'm a big believer in "caveat emptor" and if I buy something
and it doesn't suit me (or has problems running on my rig), I believe
I've only myself to blame. It's only if I pay for a game and -for
whatever reason- I don't GET it that I start making a fuss and
demanding my money back. Some examples in my own personal history
include buying a game and there was a disc missing in the box, or the
manual was missing (and it was impossible to play the game without it
because of copy-protection), or the download link doesn't work.

I tend to be more forgiving of bugs than I should, but that's probably
because a) I'm usually technically adept that I can get a game
running, or have enough 'spare' computers that even if the game
doesn't run on one platform, I can get it working on another.
Similarly, I give the publishers a pass about unspecified DRM because
I figure that's something _I_ should have looked into before
purchasing if it was such a deal breaker.

But that's just me. Where do you draw the line? Do you return games
for refunds?

I firmly fall into the E category here. I always feel a bit bad about >>spending money for games, so if its not something I super enjoy, then
it's going back in the Steam shelves. I remember refunding Terraria bc
it didn't click with me. For more story based games, if I DO finish it
in the period, I will refund it too (pony island). I usually don't
refund games under 5$ tho.

Don't feel that bad. There's no right and wrong to these answers
(well, maybe if I'd added a "I steal the game then bring it back for
money", that would be wrong, but the other options are forgivable ;-)
and I didn't want to imply any sort of moral high-ground. I could even
argue that sticking to my guns with options A and B are not only
silly, but encourage bad practices on the part of retailers and
publishers, whereas taking back a product after you find it isn't to
your taste sends a clearer message.

Fair enough, though I think the publisher still gets paid a little bit
for refunded games.

I think Valve does a good job with its refund policy that's fairest
for all around; it's a full refund, but with a time limit (both in
terms of how long since you've purchased and how long you played the
game). If you aren't trying to cheat that system, then there's no need
to feel bad about demanding your cash back after you try a game and
find its not to taste.

In egregious situations, they're also really good about issuing refunds automatically for everyone.
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:

Question: Do you ever return games you've bought for a refund?

a) Nope. I buy the game and it's mine forever, regardless
of any issues.

This, in practice.

c) Sure, if the game is too buggy to run on my computer

e) If I try it and don't like it, back it goes!

I may have returned a game once or twice on Steam games for this sort of reasons. It's been a while though.

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

If the game compelled you to play 60 hours, how bad could it have
really been? To expect to refund it after a couple of hours really
isn't a reasonable ask, people would refund games because they don't
like the ending. Imagine if movie theatres operated that way back in
the day and were required to issue refunds when the viewer didn't like
how it turned out.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Rin Stowleigh wrote:

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

If the game compelled you to play 60 hours, how bad could it have
really been? To expect to refund it after a couple of hours really
isn't a reasonable ask, people would refund games because they don't
like the ending. Imagine if movie theatres operated that way back in
the day and were required to issue refunds when the viewer didn't like
how it turned out.

i was furous about Heroes of Might & Magic 7 not working that I was so
angry I didn't even ask for a refund. I heard it's a lot like HOMM 6,
but that doesn't substitute for playing it.

Some kind of error where the game is half in my library maybe I will buy
it one more time on GOG.
--
Hasbro
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

I recommend a long snarky comment detailing your play experience at
the beginning of the month on an under-used Internet forum.

It seems to work for me, anyway ;-)


--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Rin Stowleigh <rstowleigh@x-nospam-x.com> wrote at 21:54 this Saturday (GMT):

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari
<anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

If the game compelled you to play 60 hours, how bad could it have
really been? To expect to refund it after a couple of hours really
isn't a reasonable ask, people would refund games because they don't
like the ending. Imagine if movie theatres operated that way back in
the day and were required to issue refunds when the viewer didn't like
how it turned out.

That's why you rent movies first. :D
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

On Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:20:06 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07 <candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:

Rin Stowleigh <rstowleigh@x-nospam-x.com> wrote at 21:54 this Saturday (GMT): >> On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari >><anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended >>>up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

If the game compelled you to play 60 hours, how bad could it have
really been? To expect to refund it after a couple of hours really
isn't a reasonable ask, people would refund games because they don't
like the ending. Imagine if movie theatres operated that way back in
the day and were required to issue refunds when the viewer didn't like
how it turned out.

That's why you rent movies first. :D

Which is, in effect, what folks going to movie theatres are doing..
But what if you could refund your rental? Would their even be a movie industry?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Rin Stowleigh <rstowleigh@x-nospam-x.com> wrote at 22:25 this Monday (GMT):

On Mon, 21 Jul 2025 14:20:06 -0000 (UTC), candycanearter07
<candycanearter07@candycanearter07.nomail.afraid> wrote:

Rin Stowleigh <rstowleigh@x-nospam-x.com> wrote at 21:54 this Saturday (GMT): >>> On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari >>><anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended >>>>up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

If the game compelled you to play 60 hours, how bad could it have
really been? To expect to refund it after a couple of hours really
isn't a reasonable ask, people would refund games because they don't
like the ending. Imagine if movie theatres operated that way back in
the day and were required to issue refunds when the viewer didn't like
how it turned out.

That's why you rent movies first. :D

Which is, in effect, what folks going to movie theatres are doing..
But what if you could refund your rental? Would their even be a movie industry?

Well, maybe if you could only refund stuff if you didn't watch x amount
of the movie?
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended
up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

I recommend a long snarky comment detailing your play experience at
the beginning of the month on an under-used Internet forum.

It seems to work for me, anyway ;-)

Yes, I think that's the best course of action ;-)

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action

Anssi Saari <anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote at 12:28 this Saturday (GMT):

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> writes:

On Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:19:03 +0300, Anssi Saari
<anssi.saari@usenet.mail.kapsi.fi> wrote:

But what do you do if you find the game lacking and still somehow ended >>>up putting 60 hours in it? Leave a negative review?

I recommend a long snarky comment detailing your play experience at
the beginning of the month on an under-used Internet forum.

It seems to work for me, anyway ;-)

Yes, I think that's the best course of action ;-)

Don't forget to make a blogpost on your self hosted website! :D
--
user <candycane> is generated from /dev/urandom
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2