Warning: You will be billed and unable to play today!

[JamesR]

Whether due to the various problems with launching the game or my predicament of the key-server being down, you will almost certainly be billed and unable to play this game today if you buy it now.

Best wait.

[meephunter]

yeah... found that out the hard way... wish I knew that before, think this will be my last steam buy

[observer92]

What is wrong with that you can download it from the games library as soon as the fixed version is released.

[JamesR]

I'm pretty close to filing a ticket for Compensation, it's pretty outrageous that currently I have in effect paid for nothing.

Without a licence key the software I've downloaded and installed is unlicensed and arguably that's illegal.

What is wrong with that you can download it from the games library as soon as the fixed version is released.

Same to this

[meephunter]

let me know if that works JamesR. I am with you, they should not be able to sell you something if they cant provide it

[JamesR]

let me know if that works JamesR. I am with you, they should not be able to sell you something if they cant provide it

Already figure it won't, I've never had any kind of support worth a damn from Steam. They'll tell me to drink p*ss and enjoy the lemonade like they always do.

[N3oN667]

It amazes me how upset people get over tiny issues.

[Marcothy]

This is incredibly ridiculous and irresponsible on Steam's part. Not saying I am surprised. It increasingly appears to be a company that is run with many loose ends, many of which has no desire in delivering in customer satisfaction.

Take your money without letting you know they don't have the product, no recourse, no notification.

I shifted to Steam from D2D. Sadly, never had a reason to switch. I am getting plenty of reasons to switch back. D2D has keys for T3. Just sad.

[meephunter]

It amazes me how upset people get over tiny issues.

what like buying a game and not being able to play it... yeah that is stupid

[Marcothy]

It amazes me how upset people get over tiny issues.

And it amazes me how someone thinks nothing of where they spend their money. When someone takes my money for a product, I expect the product. In a case like this where there is a maintained relationship in the fact that you have an account with them, I would expect them to have the balls to make a post on the status-not players who are figuring it out on their own.

[N3oN667]

And it amazes me how someone thinks nothing of where they spend their money. When someone takes my money for a product, I expect the product. In a case like this where there is a maintained relationship in the fact that you have an account with them, I would expect them to have the balls to make a post on the status-not players who are figuring it out on their own.

what like buying a game and not being able to play it... yeah that is stupid

It's called technical issues, it happens. No reason to throw this big of a fit over something steam can't help.
They happen, deal with it.

[JamesR]

It's called technical issues, it happens. No reason to throw this big of a fit over something steam can't help.
They happen, deal with it.

This is not the first time it has happened and it is also ENTIRELY avoidable.

There's no reason, when the transaction is carried out that Steam can't ping the key server before you pay.

Right now I have NO LICENSE to own the software I have downloaded and PAID for.

It's not just poor, it's almost certainly illegal.

[Marcothy]

How blindly naive of a statement is that N3oN667? Ever heard of inventory management? Ever heard of removing items for purchase if there are no cd keys assigned to it? It's only how most every professional software retail works. Both online and physical stores. When they receive keys, then the game becomes available. Its a simple query on a DB that manages their online store, not rocket science.

They are selling what they don't have, and its intentional because most wont seek a refund. Technical issues is something beyond their control. Inventory management for an online retail outlet is not.

Learn the concept of negligence-and quit making excuses for someone running a crappy enterprise.

[meephunter]

How blindly naive of a statement is that N3oN667? Ever heard of inventory management? Ever heard of removing items for purchase if there are no cd keys assigned to it? It's only how most every professional software retail works. Both online and physical stores. When they receive keys, then the game becomes available. Its a simple query on a DB that manages their online store, not rocket science.


he is just trying to egg us on... obviously he has no clue for what he is talking about...

[fyins]

You people are absolutely right. Get your 7.50 back and wait for a key to be available so you can buy it again. Of course, then we have to listen to you complain that you had to spend $30 on it....

I spent the 7.50 and a MINOR inconvenience of waiting until tomorrow to be able to play is worth $22.49 to me.

Yes, I have had the same issues as everyone with games like DA:O, ME2, L4D2, AVP, etc. Guess what? I'm STILL going to keep using Steam because I have other things I can do while the annoyance is fixed.

Get over it.

[JamesR]

You people are absolutely right. Get your 7.50 back and wait for a key to be available so you can buy it again. Of course, then we have to listen to you complain that you had to spend $30 on it....

I spent the 7.50 and a MINOR inconvenience of waiting until tomorrow to be able to play is worth $22.49 to me.

Yes, I have had the same issues as everyone with games like DA:O, ME2, L4D2, AVP, etc. Guess what? I'm STILL going to keep using Steam because I have other things I can do while the annoyance is fixed.

Get over it.

I'm glad you're easily pleased and don't mind paying for things you don't have.

It's easily avoidable and it's literally criminal. Literally.

[meephunter]

You people are absolutely right. Get your 7.50 back and wait for a key to be available so you can buy it again. Of course, then we have to listen to you complain that you had to spend $30 on it....

I spent the 7.50 and a MINOR inconvenience of waiting until tomorrow to be able to play is worth $22.49 to me.

Yes, I have had the same issues as everyone with games like DA:O, ME2, L4D2, AVP, etc. Guess what? I'm STILL going to keep using Steam because I have other things I can do while the annoyance is fixed.

Get over it.

ok first, we are complaining about the obviously HORRIBLE business practice of steam. I can see by what you said that you keep getting suckered back, fine for you. Had I known that steam could not provide me with a product that I paid for I would have gone else where, but i didn't.

[Marcothy]

fyins-A fool and his money will soon part.

D2D has it for 14.95. $7 is nothing for if someone actually has the product. The problems not the fact that they do it-its that they do it with no regard for who they are selling to. Give people the choice. Had I known, I would have paid the $15 at D2D. I'd rather play the games I pay for when I want to-not when they decide to let people play.

Thats the way life goes for people with a life...

[Mr.Buttocks]

I just called the FBI.

[fyins]

Yup, keep getting suckered back because every game I was foolish enough to part with my money for works just fine.

I have a receipt that says I own the product and what I paid for it. I'm looking at it as if Amazon had it on sale for the same price and offered free shipping. I have to wait, but they still have my money and are still required to deliver the product to me. Again, *I* can wait and not blow my stack over it.

If you believe that Steam is corrupt and feel you've been duped before and bought from the service again anyway.....

Thats the way life goes for people with a life...

I think you're view is slightly stray from reality here. If you had a life, you wouldn't be here screaming and crying about something that will be remedied.

As for my lack of life, well I guess I'll just go play another game, play with my wife, watch a movie, or anything other than pay attention to this thread again. Then tomorrow I'll play T3.

[wneubert]

I bought it last night for $7.50, downloaded it overnight and put my key in this morning and it worked fine, first try. This issue isn't happening to everyone.

Steam even put the key in a message where I could cut and paste it when requested. Steam also displayed they key when I started the game so I could see it while I was filling it in.

I can't beleive someone called the FBI. If they really did I bet the FBI is down there laughing cause it cost them more than $7.50 to answer the phone:)

[JamesR]

I have a receipt that says I own the product and what I paid for it.

Nein, that's not how it works.

Until the serial key is in your possession you own nothing, though you could argue that with Amazon when you paid the boxed copy became yours and ergo the key within it.

The problem here is I HAVE software I am not legally allowed to have because I paid for a licence that does not exist.

That's just poor business practice and it is effectively criminal.

And just like Amazon in your story, they should NOT have billed until they had the product.

If you've ever paid for a product on Amazon and been billed before dispatch then you sir have been stolen from ;)

I bought it last night for $7.50, downloaded it overnight and put my key in this morning and it worked fine, first try. This issue isn't happening to everyone.

Probably because at some point it pulled your serial key prior to when you played it. The system exists at the moment to allow you to download software you have no serial key for.

[azreil1]

OMG you have to wait like 2 days and you got it for cheap omg!
Quit crying its not a big deal it happened with fuel i waited 2 days and i got a key problem solved, your going to get a key so quit whining and learn some patience.
Also before you go on about i dont care about my money or some crap like that, that is not the case i just have faith in steam that they will deliver like they have before..
e.g FUEL

[Sgt_Pepper]

this is unbeliavable, ok, don't buy it today nor tomorrow, then purchase it at 30 bucks and you will have your key right of the bat, jesusssss

you people amaze me

[digitalithium]

@JamesR: lol, illegal.... Right. So if you buy a tv and it doesn't work out of the box, it's illegal for you to own it since it's broken? lol, are you a lawyer? lol

[Aigik]

How blindly naive of a statement is that N3oN667? Ever heard of inventory management? Ever heard of removing items for purchase if there are no cd keys assigned to it? It's only how most every professional software retail works. Both online and physical stores. When they receive keys, then the game becomes available. Its a simple query on a DB that manages their online store, not rocket science.

They are selling what they don't have, and its intentional because most wont seek a refund. Technical issues is something beyond their control. Inventory management for an online retail outlet is not.

Learn the concept of negligence-and quit making excuses for someone running a crappy enterprise.

God shut up, seriously. If you are about to board an amusement park ride and it breaks down, do you star screaming at the ride attendant? No, you be patient and wait for it to be fixed. Quit crying like a ♥♥♥♥♥ and get over yourself. Have some patience, please.

[hamchan]

A question to people complaining.

Would you rather buy the game for cheap right now but have to wait a few days for your key to arrive or would you rather Steam remove the game entirely for sale once the keys have run out, meaning people who wanted the discount can't get it anymore?

[ToastedShoe]

I just called the FBI.

overreact much lol, I got to think they have better things to do than worry about your computer game or lack of.

[Twiggy159]

Yup, keep getting suckered back because every game I was foolish enough to part with my money for works just fine.

I have a receipt that says I own the product and what I paid for it. I'm looking at it as if Amazon had it on sale for the same price and offered free shipping. I have to wait, but they still have my money and are still required to deliver the product to me. Again, *I* can wait and not blow my stack over it.

If you believe that Steam is corrupt and feel you've been duped before and bought from the service again anyway.....



I think you're view is slightly stray from reality here. If you had a life, you wouldn't be here screaming and crying about something that will be remedied.

As for my lack of life, well I guess I'll just go play another game, play with my wife, watch a movie, or anything other than pay attention to this thread again. Then tomorrow I'll play T3.

Well said Fyins.


Nein, that's not how it works.

Until the serial key is in your possession you own nothing, though you could argue that with Amazon when you paid the boxed copy became yours and ergo the key within it.

No JamesR, that is how it works. If you have something ordered online and you wish to cancel it you show them a receipt as a proof of purchase, which shows that you purchased the item, though you may not have it yet, and most companies still cancel the order for you and will happily refund you.

[BMFer]

as big of a kick in the balls as this BS is im still happy steam has such epic deals on games maybe they should mark every game down by 75% and just force you to wait a day it would save us tons lol

[retrolock]

Wow, as if the Steam message said "There are no Tropic 3 keys left, you suck and you'd better QQ on the steam forums."

Seriously lol.

[meephunter]

@JamesR: lol, illegal.... Right. So if you buy a tv and it doesn't work out of the box, it's illegal for you to own it since it's broken? lol, are you a lawyer? lol

wow fantastic example, but more like it would be you buy a TV at the store and you get it home. Then open the box to find lead weights at the bottom and no TV

[wxwalsh]

It amazes me how upset people get over tiny issues.

It isn't a small issue when you pay for something and do not get what you paid for.

[wxwalsh]

As for my lack of life, well I guess I'll just go play another game, play with my wife, watch a movie, or anything other than pay attention to this thread again. Then tomorrow I'll play T3.


This assumes that it will be fixed tomorrow. Steam's track record on that is not that great, and no official post has been to give anyone any indication it will be fixed tomorrow.

[Genosidoh]

Nein, that's not how it works.

Until the serial key is in your possession you own nothing, though you could argue that with Amazon when you paid the boxed copy became yours and ergo the key within it.

The problem here is I HAVE software I am not legally allowed to have because I paid for a licence that does not exist.

That's just poor business practice and it is effectively criminal.

And just like Amazon in your story, they should NOT have billed until they had the product.

If you've ever paid for a product on Amazon and been billed before dispatch then you sir have been stolen from ;)



Please, stop using words like "criminal" and "illegal" when you do not even have a firm grasp of the laws that apply in this situation. Neither Steam nor yourself have done anything criminal here. It is not an unavoidable issue, as someone mentioned before, it does happen even in retail stores. Gamestop is especially notorious for this, as an example.

While I sympathize for your cause, I would recommend submitting a ticket as well as calling them. I put extra emphasis on calling them. I have not personally had any problems with their email support, however, the phone support I receive from any company has always been better than email support.

It would be far more productive than posting on forums implying something criminal has taken place.

[Alexc26]

You lot who are crying and complaining, you don't deserve the game, hell, just stop using steam, would make everyone happier, you are complaining about getting a game for 75% of the price and having to wait a day or 2 before you can play it.

[azreil1]

Well said alexc26. Maybe if they all quit whining and pretending they were lawyers saying that steam is breaking the law. You know what im suprised some one hasnt gone "Im going to file a class action lawsuit everyone help! " Thats what people usually say when stuff goes slightly wrong with games.

[Alexc26]

Well said alexc26. Maybe if they all quit whining and pretending they were lawyers saying that steam is breaking the law. You know what im suprised some one hasnt gone "Im going to file a class action lawsuit everyone help! " Thats what people usually say when stuff goes slightly wrong with games.

Lol, cheers :P

People seem to forget that Steam isn't perfect and that there are problems sometimes, they also seem to forget that Steam doesn't have to have a sale for Tropico 3, or in fact even have the game on the steam store, so another reason for the cry babies to stop crying and just wait.

[wneubert]

You have to see that steam won't benefit from delaying your key, they just get unhappy customers, so I'm sure they don't want this to happen and will try to fix the glitch that caused it.

Since it didn't affect me, I wonder how many actually got affected and if it was limited to just Tropico, or is this a common issue for their "specials".

I wouldn't worry much though - the FBI is on it:)

Funny but when I wrote the last line I couldn't help remembering "Die Hard" where the bad guy says "I give you, the FBI":)

[Sayphe]

Poor service. Valve know that there's a problem with this product, so they should remove it from sale until the problem is fixed. Simples.

[Alexc26]

Poor service. Valve know that there's a problem with this product, so they should remove it from sale until the problem is fixed. Simples.

Maybe they are being kind and letting people buy it at a cheap price instead of stopping people being able to buy it and then when its all fixed the game goes back to the full price.

[den rare]

Maybe they are being kind and letting people buy it at a cheap price instead of stopping people being able to buy it and then when its all fixed the game goes back to the full price.

Good point! I hope the deals ends soon though so i can play the game :D

[DJ_Professor_K]

/facepalm at all the whines

actually /doubleacepalm at those saying that having a techical problem is avoidable and it's a crime.

If having a techical problem is a crime, guess that if someone get's sick, then he's a most wanted criminal, am i right?

Please, make us a favor and go learn some common sense insted of comming here bash not only valve, but fellow community members.

[Cerous]

... ok ... To conceive an opinion to calm the masses would be in good measure here. I unfortunately cannot reminisce on one truthful resolution without being bias... so... The deal which has been bestowed on us will more than likely be restored on which a day Valve will be working. Please wait patiently until they can further assist with the situation.

[BigEV]

Wow.

Just wait a few days for them to add new keys. It happened before with other games, but it was resolved fairly quickly. Valve isn't responsible for such a huge number of sales and the lack of keys; I do believe the publisher is. But they simply didn't expect such a huge number of newly sold games, so obviously they ran out of them. They'll just create new ones and add them eventually.

It's not like Valve is evil and is selling the game without keys to deliberately steal your money without giving you the game in return.

Or are they?

[galestorm]

well I do agree that they should put up a notice and keep people in the know, instead of just in the dark that is just lame and far as i know steam is owned by Valve so if your upset should really be upset at Valve right?

[Alexc26]

well I do agree that they should put up a notice and keep people in the know, instead of just in the dark that is just lame and far as i know steam is owned by Valve so if your upset should really be upset at Valve right?

Well, its not valves fault, seeing it was the devs who gave steam those keys, so if valve run out of keys it means the devs need to give some more keys to valve.

[galestorm]

when i had it playing it never even asked me for a key ? when you guys installed it and it was up and running did the game ask you for a key becuase I was actulyl able top play it, it just did not install correctly like it would not say it was installed but it was and when ever i started it up it just never asked for a cd key it did want a key but for the orginal torpic not the expasion pack.

[Mad_Minstrel]

It's not like they couldn't put in a little piece of code that says something to the effect of "if (keys_available=true) sell(game);"

[meephunter]

Maybe they are being kind and letting people buy it at a cheap price instead of stopping people being able to buy it and then when its all fixed the game goes back to the full price.

why so they can take more peoples money with out giving them anything?

[Clintonio]

Any real idea on when this will be solved? I'm itching to play!

[meephunter]

Well, its not valves fault, seeing it was the devs who gave steam those keys, so if valve run out of keys it means the devs need to give some more keys to valve.

no that's not it at all. What happened was, Valve buys these key (or licenses)in bulk. more than likely in the 10 to 20 thousand area. Then after several months and only having about 2 to 5 hundred left, Valve says, "well lets get rid of these so we can get another batch at a lower rate". Then BAM! a 75% off sell. The only problem is that now Valve runs out of keys and forgets to take the DL offline. Now they have to go out and buy more keys at a loss. So I do not see them jumping though hoops to get this done anytime soon.

[Clintonio]

no that's not it at all. What happened was, Valve buys these key (or licenses)in bulk. more than likely in the 10 to 20 thousand area. Then after several months and only having about 2 to 5 hundred left, Valve says, "well lets get rid of these so we can get another batch at a lower rate". Then BAM! a 75% off sell. The only problem is that now Valve runs out of keys and forgets to take the DL offline. Now they have to go out and buy more keys at a loss. So I do not see them jumping though hoops to get this done anytime soon.

I'm pretty sure that they expected more than a few hundred buys.

[meephunter]

I'm pretty sure that they expected more than a few hundred buys.

guess not seeing as the RAN OUT

[meephunter]

While I sympathize for your cause, I would recommend submitting a ticket as well as calling them. I put extra emphasis on calling them. I have not personally had any problems with their email support, however, the phone support I receive from any company has always been better than email support.


please if you have a number, post it so people can call

[Clintonio]

guess not seeing as the RAN OUT

You think they ran out after a few hundred? I think there are more than a few hundred people here asking where their keys are.

I would think they expected a few thousand minimum.

Also, I don't know where you got the lower prices idea from, I'm sure that the prices of Tropico weren't going to drop any time soon.

[meephunter]

Also, I don't know where you got the lower prices idea from, I'm sure that the prices of Tropico weren't going to drop any time soon.

so you have never see a game go down in price over time after it has been out? Even after an expansion has been released?

[Marcothy]

Well, its not valves fault, seeing it was the devs who gave steam those keys, so if valve run out of keys it means the devs need to give some more keys to valve.
Well, this proves you know nothing on the process of software retail. Developers aren't in the loop on CD key Distribution, or even the selection of a DRM option.

That is left up to the publisher. Retailers have to manage their product inventory. Retailers = Valve.

For you all that want to say "Steam isn't perfect, just be patient..."

It doesn't fly, and won't fly. Someone who used Steam to make their first purchase for Tropico 3 won't come back (back that example up with any other game thats had this issue).

There are those that have been using Steam, that is tired of the imperfect status quo with no communication from Valve on a major issue. Sorry, but in retail, not having items that are sold is a major issue. Problems can happen, but 2 thread flame fests and trolls from users with no word from Valve is not the way to handle it. And no, D2D and Gamestop do not have this frequent of an issue coupled with complete lack of communication.

Steam is killing their own customer base with this, because any new customer wont trust an E-Tailer that operates in this way with no communication. And existing customer are getting fed up.

Let the cycle continue, and then you can actually learn the answer of what happens to your steam games when Steam goes out of business.

It's in everyone's best interest that Vavle/Steam act appropriately in the marketplace. And while having patience certainly is doable, selling what you do not have WITHOUT communicating anything to your customers what is going on won't help a company last.

[jimmirock]

Wow.

Just wait a few days for them to add new keys. It happened before with other games, but it was resolved fairly quickly. Valve isn't responsible for such a huge number of sales and the lack of keys; I do believe the publisher is. But they simply didn't expect such a huge number of newly sold games, so obviously they ran out of them. They'll just create new ones and add them eventually.

It's not like Valve is evil and is selling the game without keys to deliberately steal your money without giving you the game in return.

Or are they?

Prey says hi.

For those not in the know - Prey was included in the Holiday Sale in December at 75% off. Everyone and their dog bought the game, keys ran out. Here we are 5 months later with no new CD keys and the store page has been removed.

[BigEV]

Prey says hi.

For those not in the know - Prey was included in the Holiday Sale in December at 75% off. Everyone and their dog bought the game, keys ran out. Here we are 5 months later with no new CD keys and the store page has been removed.
FUEL responds.

The new keys for Fuel were added in a day or two once they ran out of them.

It depends on the developer / publisher. Seeing Kalypso pulled down a broken release of the Absolute Power expansion, and didn't leave it there for people to buy it without being able to play it, I wouldn't be worried. So far, they have been fair to customers.

Give it a few days before making assumptions. Valve has just got into their offices now, they'll do something with it quite soon, in my opinion.

[meephunter]

mine just, on its on, started to DL itself again... Anybody else?

[Kordusain]

Same here, a 100mb update.

[meephunter]

never mind... it just paused itself... I guess this is how valve will tell us that it works, the will fix it and not tell us

[Teh Madness]

Same thing just happened to me. 100mb update and still nothing =/

[filipeg165]

Keys have been added.

Restart Steam if you are still seeing this error.



I just bought it and its still downloading, lets see...

[meephunter]

ok got a key, it works, just no voice!!! round 2 START

[TimM]

What voice... are there any voices in the game?

[Lim0FF]

Watchya saying? Tropico 3 doesn't work? I bought it like two days ago, and it has been working 100 % from when I bought it... O_o

[azreil1]

Wow.

Just wait a few days for them to add new keys. It happened before with other games, but it was resolved fairly quickly. Valve isn't responsible for such a huge number of sales and the lack of keys; I do believe the publisher is. But they simply didn't expect such a huge number of newly sold games, so obviously they ran out of them. They'll just create new ones and add them eventually.

It's not like Valve is evil and is selling the game without keys to deliberately steal your money without giving you the game in return.

Or are they?

Ah the truth is out! DUN DUN DUN

[wneubert]

Now I did get my key right away and was not even aware of a problem, but I have no voice and was thinking from before that it should be there.

Are you saying it is fixed now?

[vicviper]

Are you sure you're missing the voices? It should be fixed by now. Tried verifying cache integrity or restarting your client?

[wneubert]

So sorry, even as I typed that message it was probably fixed.

After I typed I decided to login to see if there was a patch since last night. There was, it loaded automatically and painlessly, and it fixed the voice:)

I love how both my Steam games just keep themselves up to date with no effort from me.

[Threesixtyci]

Prey says hi.

For those not in the know - Prey was included in the Holiday Sale in December at 75% off. Everyone and their dog bought the game, keys ran out. Here we are 5 months later with no new CD keys and the store page has been removed.

As I recall, they took it off the sale list and replaced it with another game, as well as refunded the money for Prey, to those that didn't receive the key.

So, it wasn't exactly the same.