Dairuka wrote:

I just hope the Maxis people are reading this.

Still on hold.

Yes, they are.
Although I can imagine we are making them depressed.

Parvati wrote:

Dairuka wrote:

I just hope the Maxis people are reading this.

Still on hold.

Yes, they are.
Although I can imagine we are making them depressed.

I'd love to hear their thoughts on the subject, although I'm sure silence is the best response since this thread is so potentially volatile towards their development company, and publisher.

Still on hold.

They can't answer, esp with that law suit against EA.

Parvati wrote:They can't answer, esp with that law suit against EA.

If for no other reason... it seems that the lawsuit would prompt EA to prioritize and simplify the process of restoring install counters to people who are trying to go about things in a legal way, as opposed to going the torrent route. It's baffling to me.

My next response is a huge one. So bear with me and be patient people. Trust me when I say that the following information will be exceptionally important for everybody including Maxis Employees to hear.

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Started: 11:55am Pacific Time Standard
Finished: 12:23pm Pacific Time Standard

As you all know, I phoned up the Electronic Arts Customer Service support line again at: 1-650-628-1001.

I was put on hold for quite literally 21 minutes.

Take into consideration I live in, Canada, and I was phoning a number based in Texas I imagine the long distance charges will be substantial. I only did this because of the importance of this thread.

When I had finally gained the attention of an operator, I'd like to point out that he was very impromptu, and very polite. I definitely got lucky and received someone who knew what they were talking about.

Which is actually a little un-nerving, considering the types of questions I asked him.

He stated the following about the following issues:

#1. If they believe your account has been used over 10 times, you must provide proof of purchase on the back of your manual, as well as a proof of purchase by way of a receipt.

#2. The total installation attempts on the first batch of games released in the month of September have a total of 3 installations. Any other versions of the game released have a total of 5 installations, leaving those of us suckers who bought the game early, SOL.

#3. He stated that a de-activation tool has nothing to do with Electronic Arts, and that he did not have a release date available for such a tool.

#4. He refused to acknowledge the multiple days I spent on this particular subject.

#5. He flagged my account due to the over-use of my account registration key; despite the fact that I've only given the Registration Key to The last Customer Service Representative I spoke to.

#6. He stated that changing out any hardware will directly use up an installation.

#7. He stated that changing firmware, or drivers will not use up an installation.

#8. He stated that reinstalling the game on the same computer will not use up an installation, unless you reformat.

#9. He stated that resetting your CMOS or BIOS will use up an installation.

Now, lets get down to business:

Once again he asked me for my E-mail, and my first Name.

He then asked for my problem; requiring the full details of the problem, including the error name; as well as the number of times I've installed this game on my two computers. The answer was 5. He claimed it had been installed on 15, despite the fact that I've only given the Registration Key to The last Customer Service Representative I spoke to.

He then offered to give me 3 more installations on my version of spore, but after that I would have to buy a new version of Spore, since he believes that I'm pirating it, or I have given it out to my friends.

I proclaimed my disgust in a polite manner; and he went on to flag my account, stating that if I use my E-mail address again, he'll add more installation limits as a special case. Unfortunately this means I will have to phone EA customer service at long-distance charges to get it done. I can not use their E-mail service.

However. I tried the game on my upstairs computer.

It worked. Finally.

Total Time I've Wasted: 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Total Time I've Waited: 2 days, 11 hours, 30 minutes.
Issue Status: Finally Resolved.
Total number of days to get this issue resolved?: October 2, 2008 - October 7, 2008: 5 Days

So. Are you guys ready for when you need to phone EA? I know, I'm never going to do that again.

Thats absolutely disgusting.
I'm very close to promoting you know what.

I lack the words to express the other fury I am experiencing right now.

At this point an official needs to come in this thread.

Parvati wrote:Thats absolutely disgusting.
I'm very close to promoting you know what.

I lack the words to express the other fury I am experiencing right now.

At this point an official needs to come in this thread.

When I get my phone bill, I'm going to add the cost too.

Mafia.
How are we supposed to support a company that treats us like they did to you... Or any of us, when the time comes. That 15 ussage thing is amazing... Not only them, but I think WE should record every conversation we have with EA, stating so to the operator:

"-Hi, good evening... For "your protection" this conversation is being recorded. You see I have this issue..."

I am a little concerned about what counts as an activation

Dairuka wrote:...

#6. He stated that changing out any hardware will directly use up an installation.

...

#9. He stated that resetting your CMOS or BIOS will use up an installation.

...

Both changing out hardware is standard for a PC as is flashing your BIOS. This is totally rediculous.

Also the original buyers are SOL on getting five installs? that is quite insane.

My respect for EA just dropped even lower.

Dairuka wrote:
He stated the following about the following issues:

#1. If they believe your account has been used over 10 times, you must provide proof of purchase on the back of your manual, as well as a proof of purchase by way of a receipt.

#2. The total installation attempts on the [b]first batch of games released in the month of September have a total of 3 installations. Any other versions of the game released have a total of 5 installations, leaving those of us suckers who bought the game early, SOL.[/b]

#3. He stated that a de-activation tool has nothing to do with Electronic Arts, and that he did not have a release date available for such a tool.

#5. He flagged my account due to the over-use of my account registration key; despite the fact that I've only given the Registration Key to The last Customer Service Representative I spoke to.

#6. He stated that changing out any hardware will directly use up an installation.

#7. He stated that changing firmware, or drivers will not use up an installation.

#9. He stated that resetting your CMOS or BIOS will use up an installation.

EA and SecuROM are just looking each time more evil and less reliable. Result: never buying EA products again.

Truth be told. I'm not satisfied with this result. Five days is a long time to wait; and I'm aggravated at the personal time I spent on this issue, as well as the money on long-distance charges I've been forced to spend.

I want Maxis to truly resolve this issue by making sure it doesn't happen to anybody ever again.

I'd also like to remind Maxis that I've got this thread saved on my computer, and archived on the Online Wayback Machine should anything happen to it.

Dairuka wrote:Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Started: 11:55am Pacific Time Standard
Finished: 12:23pm Pacific Time Standard

As you all know, I phoned up the Electronic Arts Customer Service support line again at: 1-650-628-1001.

[. . .]

I just read all of that an the previous posts in this thread. I am beyond disgusted. I wonder if changing mice, monitors, or USB accessories constitutes a change in hardware since it could be anything? I feel so terrible for paying money to buy Spore.

People need to sign this petition: http://forum.spore.com/jforum/posts/list/180/6804.page

If you've signed it already, bump it. If you want to do more, go to other forums and show your friends and get them to register, so they can sign it also.

If they don't change quite a few things, most especially the needing a receipt thing, this will be the last product I ever buy that's in any way connected with EA, and not just for PC.

Over the last ten or so years I've easily spent around two thousand dollars on products with EA on the box, for PC and multiple consoles. My last purchase from EA (for the PC) was in December of last year when securom caused me a problem, they were no help, so I stopped buying their products for PC. I only bought Spore because I'll be getting a new PC soon so I figured if they screw this one up I won't be that upset. Under no circumstances would I even consider purposely infecting a new PC with securom, just based on the problems it caused me last time.

The funny thing is that I don't foresee ever even hitting the install limit. That said, the idea that I could hit the limit a few years from now and would be unable to play without having saved my receipt is a great example of a scumbag company and it's crooked and deceptive business practices.

I would almost find it amusing that people who come by the game illegally have a much better experience than those who buy it, if not for the fact that I'm one of the people who was stupid enough to pay EA to rape me.