Activision Customer Support? Should YOU buy their software?

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 12:36:22 AM

Greetings all,

Well...as hyped as I have been about this game (MTX Mototrax) it doesn't negate the recent problem that I had. I had purchased a PS2 copy of the game as most of you know. Well after playing for hours and hours (literally) it formed a repetitive and unfixable problem. It hangs up when trying to load a track to race...all of the rest of the functions work...but without being able to race...the game isn't worth much for anything but a frisbee!

So as you're probably thinking by now..I contacted Activision customer support. Now I'm not sure what I thought that they were going to do. But one thing is for sure...I wasn't going to buy another copy of the game! I've been trying to save the funds (unsuccessfully so far) to purchase the PC version of the game. Well...anyway...they were somewhat less than helpfull as you also might have guessed from the fact that I'm posting this.

Anyway...if you'd like to read what they said you can do so HERE http://vmx-racing.com/vmx/ActivisionMTXbsResponse.gif <-CLICK THAT (Messages start at the bottom for some wierd reason)

I copied it with SnagIt so that if they removed the message (which I figure they are going to do) you could still see what was said.

Now maybe you'll read that and think that I was expecting more than they could do. But given the circumstances...I think that they could have been a little more obliging. In any case it's apparent from the actual response that they sent that they didn't really read everything that I posted. I think it shows a sincere lack of interest in helping their customers and I'm seriously considering NOT buying the PC version of the game now.

I'm thinking that after (if) they read my final response that I may recieve another response or email from them. If so, then I'll make sure to inform you of it.

Bunny · September 01, 2004, 01:06:26 AM

Man that stinks, my friend bought a copy of the game not too long ago but hasn't had any problems yet.

So was the disc scratched or something?

DBR_Dodgy · September 01, 2004, 01:08:49 AM

Quote from: Bunny on September 01, 2004, 01:06:26 AM

So was the disc scratched or something?

i guess like activision you didnt read it fully either lol

Ian,

thormx985 · September 01, 2004, 01:12:46 AM

dude that is really messed up u would expect a corpuration like that to at least give a dam. and try to do something, i mean u obviusly got ripped that's just messed up if u ask me.

Bunny · September 01, 2004, 01:58:53 AM

Quote from: DBR_Dodgy on September 01, 2004, 01:08:49 AM
Quote from: Bunny on September 01, 2004, 01:06:26 AM

So was the disc scratched or something?

i guess like activision you didnt read it fully either lol

Ian,

oops, i read most of it but scanned over the bottom of it, my fault

MotoX395 · September 01, 2004, 02:00:03 AM

Thats definitialy low by them, it is obvious that they haven't read it all OR thought about what you wrote. $:-\$

AMA_DirtTwister · September 01, 2004, 03:25:00 AM

I don't see the problem. I think they could probably do it cheaper, but if the game has worked for 90 days and then it stops working there is nothing on the CD that would cause that except damage to the CD or a problem with the PS2. Activision shouldn't be responsible for that, but they should have a mechanism available to get a replacement and they do. I would expect to pay 10 to 15 dollars for getting a non-warranty CD replaced. For 20.00 I'd see if I could pick it up somewhere else cheaper (yard sale, ebay, etc.).

If you know someone else that has the game I'd try loading their copy to see if it's something with your system.

Bruce

VRT_RIDEBLUE · September 01, 2004, 06:31:30 AM

My sons ps2 would play a certain game and it was the eye of the ps2, went to best buy and had a warranty, and replaced it, all worked ok, seems like a ps2 issue.

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 07:20:03 AM

Well all my other games work just fine as I told them. So I seriously doubt that it's my PS2.

In any case

Since I've posted this and emailed the rest of the involved parties...I've gotten one reply thus far from Left Field Productions...sounds like they WOULD help me out if they could. At the very least I know that THEY care. That's really the least that I hoped for. Under the circumstances though, I honestly thought that they should have been quite a bit more accomodating. (not Left Field...I'm talking about Activision)

Here's a copy of the email from left field-

Paul,

I'm sorry that you've had problems with your CD, but I'm afraid that there is nothing that we here at Left Field can do to help you.

As a developer, we have no leverage at all with Activision. We didn't even get complimentary copies for all the team, so I'm afraid that we don't have any spare copies to send you.

We have no connection at all with the PC version of the game, but Aspyr have a good reputation, and I expect that they will do a great job on the game.

Regards,

John Brandwood
President
Left Field Productions

____________________________________________________________

I believe that the gentleman who emailed me genuinely CARED about my problem. Even though he couldn't in fact help me. This is what I call good customer relations skills.

I'll keep you guys informed of any other replys from anyone else.

VMX_101 · September 01, 2004, 07:30:54 AM

Not sure how old your ps2 is but like Blue said, early ps2's have problems with the lens alignment. Around the SCPH 30001 Models. Which mine happenes to be

, and of course I've run into the same problem. Not with the same game (ESPN NHL 2004) but it locks up while loading save games. I'm not sure if this is your problem, but once I adjusted my lens I could load save games with no problem. For awhile lol, now it just does the same old thing DISC READ ERROR. To lazy to adjust it again lol.

Well here is one of the many articles covering it.

http://www.g4techtv.com/xplay/features/45797/PlayStation_2_Disc_Read_Error_Fix.html

Hope it helps, or atleast helps someone.

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 08:31:15 AM

Well...I tried it...didn't help. But thanks anyway Denny. I'm really no worse off then I was before..unless you count that I voided my warranty (like I'd ever use it! lol).

All formats are playing just fine on the PS2...it's just MTX. I can load the game itself..but when I try to race it hangs when I select and track and go to race on loading the track. I can play the videos and everything. It doesn't matter wether I'm in career mode or exhibition...just won't work to race anymore! DAMNIT!!!

AMA_DirtTwister · September 01, 2004, 03:12:25 PM

Have you tried using a new memory card, or a memory card with no MTX game data on it?

It's possible that there is bad data there.

Also stick the CD in your PC and copy all the files off it. That should let you know if there is a bad spot on the CD.

The reason other games can play fine but a certain game may not is because of the way it accesses the data off the CD. It could be doing it in a way that makes it run hotter or the timing of the way it does it messes up your PS 2. Try that CD on a different PS2.

Bruce

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 04:45:52 PM

Thanks for the advice Bruce! I tried playing it without a memory card (since I don't have another) and no luck. Then I stuck the disc in my DVD burner and tried to copy all of the files off of it...BOOM...the CD is definately the problem. It couldn't get a file called MTX.WAD off of the CD. So now at least, my suspicions are confirmed (thanks to you). It definately IS the CD and not my PS2. Funny how a little scratch (that is a lot less significant than most I have seen...used to work for Blockbuster and have repaired many game discs) can just kill the game.

Well...since my scratch repair kit can't seem to repair the disc...I'd say that taking it to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video and paying them to try to fix it wouldn't help. I know that they have a little better repair system than what I have...but I don't think that THAT will solve my problem. However, at least they COULD check it on another Playstation 2...but since we already know that my disc is messed up...that wouldn't really unveil anything new.

Guess that I'm just SOL! lol...

AMA_DirtTwister · September 01, 2004, 05:08:22 PM

I'd contact them again and try to negotiate a better price (that $20.00 price just seems too high for replacing a damaged dvd). Some places make you do a swap which requires you to ship the bad one back. You then pay double shipping.

I looked on ebay and it seems that $15-$25 is the going rate.

Bruce

Fredde · September 01, 2004, 05:31:49 PM

I don't know too good about copyrights laws, but if you own a copy of the game wouldn't you be allowed to make a copy of a friends copy? Maybe it can't runned on stock ps2 I dunno, or if it's legal. Just a thought

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 05:52:17 PM

Ya I thought about seeking out an ISO...not sure if that's possible...but I've got a spot to go look for such a thing. After the way Activision treated me I don't feel the need to help them get richer. If I can't get it for free (or darned close) then I just will have to do without.

MotoX395 · September 01, 2004, 06:07:31 PM

I'd not hassitate to get it illegal or something like that if I allready got it legal once...

Fredde · September 01, 2004, 06:11:35 PM

Quote from: MotoX395 on September 01, 2004, 06:07:31 PM
I'd not hassitate to get it illegal or something like that if I allready got it legal once...

But it is illegal to get a illegal copy, if you already got it legal?? Any lawyers here who knows?? lol

MotoX395 · September 01, 2004, 06:14:50 PM

Quote from: MXFredde on September 01, 2004, 06:11:35 PM
Quote from: MotoX395 on September 01, 2004, 06:07:31 PM
I'd not hassitate to get it illegal or something like that if I allready got it legal once...

But it is illegal to get a illegal copy, if you already got it legal?? Any lawyers here who knows?? lol

I'm not a lawyer but yes I'm 98% sure it is illegal... it is altough legal (I think) to make backups of a game but that is a different thing that can be used for the same goal... laws really are stupid these days but noone can be blaimed for that

ElDiablo (Paul) · September 01, 2004, 06:49:44 PM

OH you guys GOTTA check this CRAP out! Here is the response from Aspyr...these are the guys making the PC version of the game. This is THEIR idea of customer service I guess!

**********
Aspyr Media Support Response

Howdy Paul,

Thanks for the feedback.

-Cory-
-------
Aspyr Support Team

********************

This is the single worst example of customer service skills that I have seen or heard of since the movie CLERKS! This IMHO is indicative of the customer service that you can expect should you buy the game and have a problem with it. Something to think about. I know that I will definately NOT be buying the game now. However...I will be getting it! You figure that out...lol

Given the sheer balls of these people to give such an incredibly thoughtless and rude response as the above...I see NO reason to contribute to making these guys any richer.