Borderlands PC unlock date -why so late?

[2K Elizabeth]

If you have not yet received your Best Buy download (or any download that is supposed to be unlocked) please PM or email me so I can figure out what's going on.

I will also check in on what you have to delete so you don't have to re-download the entire game for the AUS version. If anyone gets that ahead of me, please PM or email me!

And finally, if you ever feel you are straying towards belligerent, please try and take a step back and calm down before you post. The volunteer mods and I are here to help you and being civil will make you a lot more. You don't have to be rude to get help, I promise.

[BrundleFLY]

That's what is really annoying me at the moment is the LACK OF COMMUNICATION between 2K/valve over this issue.

In 2K's defense I thought it is probably a Valve/Steam problem, but then this post...

"We'd like to confirm that the Australian version of Borderlands is not censored in any way. This applies to all platforms and distribution methods, including Steam. Because of an internal mix-up an incorrect version of the game was available to preload on Steam for a brief period of time. This version has since been replaced. We're asking everybody who has downloaded the Australian version of Borderlands previously to delete the local content and re-download the game to ensure that they have the proper files. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused."

Snezana Stojanovska, PR Manager, 2k Games

is from 2K. It clearly says to delete local content and re-download.

My Steam copy of Borderlands pre-load kicked in again this morning and downloaded around 30meg. On all the Borderlands forums people are claiming you don't need to re-download as what-ever it downloaded today fixes the problem.

So why has there not been an update or any sort of confirmation or anything on this matter. It is like you really hate your PC customers as you are suggesting I delete and re-download 8gb when it appears I don't have to.

Why for the love of anything is it so hard to get a clear concise answer to this question?

Edit: Thankyou Elizabeth for responding...you did so while I was typing...I don't think I have been rude to anyone just very, very frustrated and while I was typing this my local EB Games called me and said that I could pick up my copy (which I canceled to get the steam version) is ready to be picked up.

I cannot cut a break in getting this game

[vvv134]

If you have not yet received your Best Buy download (or any download that is supposed to be unlocked) please PM or email me so I can figure out what's going on.

I will also check in on what you have to delete so you don't have to re-download the entire game for the AUS version. If anyone gets that ahead of me, please PM or email me!

And finally, if you ever feel you are straying towards belligerent, please try and take a step back and calm down before you post. The volunteer mods and I are here to help you and being civil will make you a lot more. You don't have to be rude to get help, I promise.

Why should we remain calm? We have been lied to and 2K wont do anything about it. I understand that the scheduled release date was always 30th but you fail to understand that these are special circumstances and the least 2k could do now is allow valve to unlock it. I guess you will never understand how i feel simply because of your position as the community manager. I recommend that you put yourself in my shoes for a second and think instead of giving a standard BS answer. You dont have to support 2K just because you work for them. You can try to think for yourself every once in a while.

[2K Elizabeth]

Why should we remain calm? We have been lied to and 2K wont do anything about it. I understand that the scheduled release date was always 30th but you fail to understand that these are special circumstances and the least 2k could do now is allow valve to unlock it. I guess you will never understand how i feel simply because of your position as the community manager. I recommend that you put yourself in my shoes for a second and think instead of giving a standard BS answer. You dont have to support 2K just because you work for them. You can try to think for yourself every once in a while.

The entire mandate of my job is to do what's right for you guys. I was a gamer long before I was a community manager!

Although we cannot move up the unlock date, I can find out why the downloads that are supposed to be unlocked are not, and whether there is anything you can do other than delete and redownload the Australian version. I do believe I said earlier today (although it might have been in PM to one of you!) that I can completely understand how frustrating it would be to have to preload a game again.

It is, however, 9:30 at night, so although I've sent off all my requests and inquiries, I don't believe I'll get an answer until tomorrow morning at the very earliest.

[imadaman]

So, why can't you get VALVe unlock Borderland?
They said it's up to you...

Or to re-word it: Could you perhaps contact VALVe and give them Green Light on unlocking Borderlands worldwide?

[vvv134]

The entire mandate of my job is to do what's right for you guys. I was a gamer long before I was a community manager!

Although we cannot move up the unlock date, I can find out why the downloads that are supposed to be unlocked are not, and whether there is anything you can do other than delete and redownload the Australian version. I do believe I said earlier today (although it might have been in PM to one of you!) that I can completely understand how frustrating it would be to have to preload a game again.

It is, however, 9:30 at night, so although I've sent off all my requests and inquiries, I don't believe I'll get an answer until tomorrow morning at the very earliest.

Iam not Australian so i dont care about the preload problem. But If youre a gamer, then you understand how arrogant 2K is about the unlock date. What would you do if you were lied to about the time of availability of a certain product and made prior plans and then in the last minute, the company tells you it wont be made available for 3 more days? I want an honest answer from you as a gamer and not necessarily as a community manager representing 2K games. Is it really childish of me to demand that i be compensated for this? Is it really unfair asking for them to unlock the game now?

[BrundleFLY]

So in Australia the retail copy of Borderlands has been officially released before Fridays street date and I have just been told works fine.

So as I made the, in hindsight stupid decision to buy the Steam version as it deceptively led me to believe it would unlock Tuesday morning, why, oh please inform me why the Steam unlock date will still be enforced in Australia???

[AH_]

So in Australia the retail copy of Borderlands has been officially released before Fridays street date and I have just been told works fine.

So as I made the, in hindsight stupid decision to buy the Steam version as it deceptively led me to believe it would unlock Tuesday morning, why, oh please inform me why the Steam unlock date will still be enforced in Australia???

Hi BrundleFLY

Its pointless, 2K games are just going to play the wait-and-see game - after all, its less than 48 hours till steam unlock. Just get your money back like the rest of us at the office.

If you were hoping to set some sort of leveling record in game you can forget that too - on the gearbox forums there have been a few level 40s and I think I did see a level 50 posting as well. At this point we're just waiting for a few months for the game to be in the bargain bin before picking it up, since there is no effective difference now. For us (at my office), its the smart thing to do - 2K games isn't exactly losing money that way, and we, as gamers, are very acutely aware of game pricing structure over time, so its win-win for us with a very polite snub to 2K.

That said, what you decide to do is entirely up to you.

AH_

[BrundleFLY]

Hi BrundleFLY

Its pointless, 2K games are just going to play the wait-and-see game - after all, its less than 48 hours till steam unlock. Just get your money back like the rest of us at the office.

If you were hoping to set some sort of leveling record in game you can forget that too - on the gearbox forums there have been a few level 40s and I think I did see a level 50 posting as well. At this point we're just waiting for a few months for the game to be in the bargain bin before picking it up, since there is no effective difference now. For us (at my office), its the smart thing to do - 2K games isn't exactly losing money that way, and we, as gamers, are very acutely aware of game pricing structure over time, so its win-win for us with a very polite snub to 2K.

That said, what you decide to do is entirely up to you.

AH_

Oh I know it is pointless and to be honest I don't know why I have even bothered to post as it falls on deaf ears.

Sorry 2k Elizabeth but really what has been done for us PC players...nothing, "we hear you, we wish there was something we could do but it's just not possible". A lot of marketing and PR spin and stalling, the console gamers received the game 1st even allowing them to break street date. The PC version was delayed we were told for optimizations yet people from around the world said that it showed up in stores with the console versions.

This is in no way meant to be a slight against you 2k Elizabeth I am sure you are a nice person but your mandate that you quoted to us here in no way helped me in any of the situations I have found myself in with trying to obtain my paid for version of Borderlands.

You're going to say now that the Steam release is in Valve's hands, so yours are tied and there's nothing you can do. Valve says it's in 2K's hands and there's nothing they can do meanwhile I still don't have my copy to play.

The future is the console market, that is where the game developers and the distributors are at and who they pander too, the PC sector is fast becoming the red headed stepchild of the industry.

I now have enjoyed 7 full days of reading on various forums how much other people have been enjoying this game. Tonight my interstate friend with whom I play alot of lan games with will I am sure rub in my face, that he has picked up and will be playing tonight his copy of Borderlands from EB Games Australia.

[Project_Xii]

Ok, so apparently even though no release date other then Steam's "cause we say so" one exists, they STILL aren't going to unlock the game? Or so that's the feeling I get after my thread got locked.

Even though we sold truckloads of PC versions today, and will probably do the same tomorrow. Even though people all over Australia and New Zealand are already playing the game on PC, WE have to wait because we chose Steam. Goddam that sucks. Why keep the game locked for absolutely no reason? The 30th release date no longer exists! Just let us play for gods sake! X(

[FtRapture]

Or so that's the feeling I get after my thread got locked.

Thread was locked because it was a duplicate no other reason. If you have further questions about that you can send me a PM, not here in the forum.

[BeaconClose]

Ok, so apparently even though no release date other then Steam's "cause we say so" one exists, they STILL aren't going to unlock the game? Or so that's the feeling I get after my thread got locked.

Even though we sold truckloads of PC versions today, and will probably do the same tomorrow. Even though people all over Australia and New Zealand are already playing the game on PC, WE have to wait because we chose Steam. Goddam that sucks. Why keep the game locked for absolutely no reason? The 30th release date no longer exists! Just let us play for gods sake! X(

Actually, steam was blocked from issuing to aussies and euros and everything, even some people in the USA where stopped from getting it on the 26th. Its crooked.

Personally my copy was gifted from the US to the UK, according to steam FAQ purchases maintain their original regions attributes i.e release date and such.

In the past I have received games on their US date with them being gifted to me, the exception? Borderlands.

The only difference between other games and this is that there was the magic bulldozer on the 3min mark before launch and it all being a "miscommunication", I would have just let it pass and called the fact people unlocked before time a "miscommunication" instead of making your company look like its pulling the biggest dick move ever to its customers.

Last 2K game I touch on any platform, biggest botched launch in recent history. After bioshock and now this I don't doubt it will happen yet again.

[vvv134]

Actually, steam was blocked from issuing to aussies and euros and everything, even some people in the USA where stopped from getting it on the 26th. Its crooked.

Personally my copy was gifted from the US to the UK, according to steam FAQ purchases maintain their original regions attributes i.e release date and such.

In the past I have received games on their US date with them being gifted to me, the exception? Borderlands.

The only difference between other games and this is that there was the magic bulldozer on the 3min mark before launch and it all being a "miscommunication", I would have just let it pass and called the fact people unlocked before time a "miscommunication" instead of making your company look like its pulling the biggest dick move ever to its customers.

Last 2K game I touch on any platform, biggest botched launch in recent history. After bioshock and now this I don't doubt it will happen yet again.

Same here. I hope EA buys 2k.

[BrundleFLY]

Well I go to bed here in Australia as you Americans go about your work day. I get up this morning and hope there are some answers, especially as to whether we do indeed have to download the whole thing again or if the update fixed it.

Of course there is no news that I can find, I cant get on the Steam forums for some reason and of course there are no 2k updates in this thread about the issue.

Is it so hard to get an answer from somebody, I see on Steam my copy of Borderlands will unlock in approximately 1 day 2 hours. Yet it is being sold by all retailers in Australia since yesterday, why am i waiting again, how about another hollow apology.

Lets be clear, this whole fiasco is about money, not about looking after the customer. You have made deals with various retailers and Steam to distribute your game. What makes me laugh is they are all different deals so you can't tread on the toes of the other. Money!

2k Elizabeth, you may care about the customer but your company surely doesn't. All they care about is the almighty buck and be damned a few upset customers.

You have inferred and stated that the distribution model is there to logistically get the game out worldwide so it is as fair as it can be on everyone. How's that working out for you? I keep letting you know how it is working out for me.

So how about an answer, in plain English, not PR spin on why if the release date for retailers in Australia has been thrown out the window, why Steam has not been allowed to unlock. I wont be happy with the answer "that's up to Steam" as they are saying "it is 2k's decision."

You have told us you are part of the decision making progress and you are the community manager, well prove it!

This whole fiasco is unbelievable to me!

[vvv134]

Its not about getting to play it 3 days later than others for me. I want to know why this issue of how we were deceived is not taken seriously by 2K. They prolly think were a bunch of 10 year olds who have nothing to do but waste our time in these forums whining about it. Iam tired of them treating us like were ****. They did it when Bioshock came out and theyre doing it again. And the worst thing is that most will forget about this once the game comes out. I certainly wont .

[2K Elizabeth]

Brundle -

I'm looking in to your questions, but I haven't received any answers, so I don't have anything to report to you. At this point, I have no official statement on what specific files for you guys to remove, so I can't advise you on that. If anyone has an unofficial workaround, please offer it here because I'm sure a lot of you would benefit from it.

As for the unlock and selling dates, the official sale date is the 30th.

I understand everyone's frustrations, but it isn't going to help anyone to continue posting the same thing. I'm all about keeping threads open for as long as possible, but when this gets too spammish, or you guys continue to post degrading remarks, I'm going to have to close it. So please, when you post, try and have it be something new.

I don't want to silence unhappiness. I'm sure by now you can see that, as otherwise this thread wouldn't still be around. But it adds nothing to post the same things and will actually make new people to this thread have a harder time finding the information they want.

Thanks.

[BrundleFLY]

This will be my last post, so breathe a sigh of relief 2k Elizabeth. I don't see that I am posting the same thing over and over again, it may seem like it but I don't feel I am. (my frustration, then defiantly)

Nor have I really said anything derogatory about anyone, your company I have but I honestly ask, can you blame me. (apparently you can)

You posted your job title and your mandate in this thread and that you are part of the decision making process. So I and many others asked you to go to bat for us on our behalf, to be told after days of waiting "there is nothing you can do."

2k Game is supposedly a big multinational gaming company not 3 guys and a chimpanzee working out of their garage, so why is it so hard to get an answer for someone about the wrong pre-load. (the pre-load patched again yesterday...people who are doing the VPN workaround to trick the game into thinking they are in america say they have gore now...if this fixed it why doesn't someone announce this? It is still stickied on the forums to delete the whole thing and download again!

I am sure you can appreciate I will be angry if I delete and re-download to be told later I didn't have to. I am also sure you can appreciate I will be angry if I don't and it unlocks and I cant play due to I didn't re-download?

Maybe explaining why Steam can't unlock instead of just telling us the release date is the 30th. I am going to go out on a limb here and figure you know all of us out here waiting know the release date. Yet it was thrown out for console users, it was being sold on the 20th here and street date was the 23rd. And yesterday it was thrown out for retailers...okay I am repeating myself now, but I want you to answer me why will Steam stick to it when everyone else hasn't? (It doesn't even seem that the street date was broken either, they were given permission to sell it.)

I am very sorry that you feel I am attacking your mods and you as it certainly isn't my intention but you by your own admission put yourself into the decision making process and then stood behind "there's nothing that can be done."

Good luck and goodbye

[vvv134]

Iam leaving the forums as well as i dont think anyone seems to care about the false release date displayed on steam. If i had insulted the company in any way, iam sorry.

[six.]

BrundleFLY: You do NOT need to redownload the entire 8GB. A small 30MB patch fixes the low violence issue - this is downloaded automatically. I can confirm this myself, and numerous other people (such as on Whirlpool) who have activated via VPN can too.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post how to activate via VPN here .. but the details are in the Whirlpool thread on Borderlands ..


2K: Can you tell me why the release date is the 30th? This is an honest question, eg. movie releases are delayed here in Aus too and I have no idea why.

[2K Elizabeth]

Six: Feel free to link to the Borderlands thread. It could prove helpful to people here. I know not everyone checks both places.

As for the release date, I don't know the detailed reasons, but Europe and Australia's release date based on distribution ended up being later than North America. All PC versions are scheduled for release on the same day - 30th for Australia and Europe and the 26th for US.

For future releases, I can assure you that release dates will be clearly posted far before launch so that no one misses them. I'm sorry that didn't happen well enough for you guys this time, and I don't ever want it to happen again.

[BeaconClose]

For future releases, I can assure you that release dates will be clearly posted far before launch so that no one misses them. I'm sorry that didn't happen well enough for you guys this time, and I don't ever want it to happen again.

I don't think thats the only issue at work here, as others have said previously:

1)The game [PC ver] took a mysterious 1 week "delay".
2)The PC version still shipped on time for its regular release date (although I accept your point on not all stores stocking it at that time but i'm sure that was just a distribution issue at retailers).
3)Adverts say all 3 versions are available at the same time.
4)Early purchasers got suckered.
5)Last minute DD providers changing times/dates.
*6) People out side the US couldnt unlock their games even though they where US bought.

Multiple departments need to be told, not just ensuring dates are right at the start. IMO its no wonder copies where sold early when you have adverts pumping out all version are for sale at the same time.

As for *6) I list because (as I said earlier), my version was gifted from the USA, people who did similar things should have had their games unlocked at the same time as the US version but it didn't. Other games it has done fine , just not borderlands (others on the steam forums say the same).

When I asked valve support about this they said there is nothing they could have done as it was the publisher enforcing the regional dates. A side from the obvious bias of me wanting the game earlier, I do honestly think it is unfair if other games from other publishers where unlocked in the previous manor, especially with this being a coop game me and my friends where going to coop together. Now hes lvl 30+ and we're all 0 (except one of us who VPN'd it).

Also for everyones information even though it is a bit late (It'll probably serve 2k Elizabeth best):

Using a VPN for steam to unlock a game early means you must always use a VPN until the game is officially launched. On top of this using a VPN can get you BANNED, its in the steam T&C's that you are not allowed to mess with steam communication protocols and use proxies/tunneling/etc.

[six.]

Six: Feel free to link to the Borderlands thread. It could prove helpful to people here. I know not everyone checks both places.

Was beaten to it, the VPN method was just posted by 'ecwowserver@gmail.com'.

For those in Aus, fair bit of info regarding activating, various tweaks (fixing the FoV etc) in the Whirlpool thread here

[imadaman]

So can you contact Steam and tell them to unlock it today?

[BeaconClose]

So can you contact Steam and tell them to unlock it today?

It does unlock today at 11:59pm (today being thursday the 29th).

[Medic739]

You have received an infraction at 2K Forums

Dear Medic739,

You have received an infraction at 2K Forums.

http://forums.2kgames.com/showthread.php?p=536006

Reason: Personal attack
-------
If you're going to act like a child, go play in a sandbox.


lol, isn't that a personal attack on a subscriber by a moderator ?

[headkase]

Closing for Guideline #6 and #11.