Buyer beware!

[soulmist]

First, I would like to state clearly that I think the game is well worth the purchasing cost - and that I am not complaining about the game or the price - merely the way that it is presented. (It is in my opinion rather deceptive in what it leads you to believe is being sold.)


I recently purchased the game "Alan Wake" for the midweek madness sale, thinking that I would receive the game, as well as what appeared to be a "special offer" on the game's sale page - (developer commentary videos, pdf book, soundtrack, and two special episodes.)

(If you click the below link, as of 5/8/2012 @ 10:14 PM MST you will see what I am referring to)

http://store.steampowered.com/app/108710/


What I discovered, however, was that after purchasing and downloading the (14.99 version) game, none of those materials are included.

Now you may think that "It's obvious that only comes in the Collector's edition" But why would they include all that information on the 14.99 version's sale page and NOT MENTION that it was only a part of a different item's package? No where on the page does it state that the "special offer" is something that is purchased on a different part of the site.

The sale page makes it appear that you get these materials with the 14.99 version. Since there is no mention that they only appear in the collector's edition on the page that I purchased the 14.99 version. To reiterate: there is an entirely different page for the collectors edition, which would lead anyone to believe the "special offer" mentioned on the bottom portion of the above link is included in the 14.99 version.

I feel that the page is misleading and deceptive, and I am genuinely disappointed and perturbed. Generally I am very pleased with the Steam service. I know there isn't much to do about this. I don't want a refund, I just want honest marketing. I guess I just want to forewarn others so they can be aware of this before they buy.

Edit: I have a screenshot of the page, but I can't figure out how to post it. Sorry.

[AJRMD]

Originally Posted by soulmist

I feel that the page is misleading and deceptive, and I am genuinely disappointed and perturbed. Generally I am very pleased with the Steam service. I know there isn't much to do about this. I don't want a refund, I just want honest marketing. I guess I just want to forewarn others so they can be aware of this before they buy.

Sorry to hear that you find the page confusing. This certainly isn't intentional. Can you please PM me about this and we'll figure out how to get this sorted out for you?

[Vraust]

Originally Posted by soulmist

But why would they include all that information on the 14.99 version's sale page and NOT MENTION that it was only a part of a different item's package? No where on the page does it state that the "special offer" is something that is purchased on a different part of the site.

The sale page makes it appear that you get these materials with the 14.99 version. Since there is no mention that they only appear in the collector's edition on the page that I purchased the 14.99 version. To reiterate: there is an entirely different page for the collectors edition, which would lead anyone to believe the "special offer" mentioned on the bottom portion of the above link is included in the 14.99 version.

Wow that does suck. I was just about to buy the $15 version for this reason. Thanks man, wish I could help you out.

[Larry1212]

Originally Posted by soulmist

First, I would like to state clearly that I think the game is well worth the purchasing cost - and that I am not complaining about the game or the price - merely the way that it is presented. (It is in my opinion rather deceptive in what it leads you to believe is being sold.)


I recently purchased the game "Alan Wake" for the midweek madness sale, thinking that I would receive the game, as well as what appeared to be a "special offer" on the game's sale page - (developer commentary videos, pdf book, soundtrack, and two special episodes.)

(If you click the below link, as of 5/8/2012 @ 10:14 PM MST you will see what I am referring to)

http://store.steampowered.com/app/108710/


What I discovered, however, was that after purchasing and downloading the (14.99 version) game, none of those materials are included.

Now you may think that "It's obvious that only comes in the Collector's edition" But why would they include all that information on the 14.99 version's sale page and NOT MENTION that it was only a part of a different item's package? No where on the page does it state that the "special offer" is something that is purchased on a different part of the site.

The sale page makes it appear that you get these materials with the 14.99 version. Since there is no mention that they only appear in the collector's edition on the page that I purchased the 14.99 version. To reiterate: there is an entirely different page for the collectors edition, which would lead anyone to believe the "special offer" mentioned on the bottom portion of the above link is included in the 14.99 version.

I feel that the page is misleading and deceptive, and I am genuinely disappointed and perturbed. Generally I am very pleased with the Steam service. I know there isn't much to do about this. I don't want a refund, I just want honest marketing. I guess I just want to forewarn others so they can be aware of this before they buy.

Edit: I have a screenshot of the page, but I can't figure out how to post it. Sorry.

I see what you mean. It is quite misleading.

It's a problem with STEAM, if you bring it up with them they should allow you to upgrade for the price of the actual Collector's Edition and fix the information on the page(Shouldn't be presented like that).

Honestly, I wouldn't really say the CE is all that worthwhile. The soundtrack is alright but it's not something you're going to be listening to outside of the game. The PDF file is alright but only a five minute read from what I remember. Developer commentary isn't all that either, something for a replay.

I'd suggest getting the CE more as a way to support the devs and welcoming them back to the PC platform(Damn right!) than anything else. *shrugs*

Also, in order to post a picture or screenshot you need to upload the file to an image hosting site(I would suggest imgur) then post the link in your post.

Edit: The PDF isn't a 5minute read. It's 129 pages and mostly text so if you're into reading that i'd say for the extra €2 it's worth it, yeah.

[Cross{x}Hair]

Was the collectors edition a free upgrade for pre-ordering Alan Wake? Maybe it's left over from that.

Just a guess.

[Velvet Raven]

I did the same thing it looks like the entire description for the 14.99 version is included. This is why I bought it here and not GOG, GOG offers all the extras for the same price. I did a lot of searching before making Steam my choice. I bet they did that to get people who were thinking of buying off GOG to buy from Steam. I am still DL the game now, I hope it's worth the price when I'm done.

[noobdeagle]

Originally Posted by Cross{x}Hair

Was the collectors edition a free upgrade for pre-ordering Alan Wake? Maybe it's left over from that.

Just a guess.

yeah the content was free for pre-orders previously i guess the page was just never update to reflect that it wont be included in the normal edition.

[5HOOT4]

Originally Posted by Velvet Raven

I did the same thing it looks like the entire description for the 14.99 version is included. This is why I bought it here and not GOG, GOG offers all the extras for the same price. I did a lot of searching before making Steam my choice. I bet they did that to get people who were thinking of buying off GOG to buy from Steam. I am still DL the game now, I hope it's worth the price when I'm done.

Ahh shoot, I also bought the 16€ version, thinking I would get the soundtrack and all the extra stuff.
Somebody needs to fix this!

I am not blaming Remedy, but please take it up with Valve and rearrange/change that page.

EDIT: Wait a second!
In this screenshot it clearly states that I get the extras. So have they already changed it?
I haven't downloaded the game yet, so I can't check if the content is there, but I will update my post later.

EDIT2: I misunderstood the original authors description.
If you bought the CE, you get the content.
That's all.

[ericL]

thank you for the warning

[Velvet Raven]

I installed the game and there were no extras so I guess Steam will have to make this right later if they choose to.

[AJRMD]

Just wanted to drop everyone a note that it looks like this issue is mostly related to folks either accidentally buying standard edition or not finding the additional materials. Collector's Edition should have all the extra's included so if you cannot get them something's gone wrong. Please double check and if there's any issues PM me or Markus, okay?

[FreeManG]

Try looking in Steam\steamapps\common\alan wake\... if you see \alan_wake_files and \soundtrack you've got the extras.

I bought the game soon after release and have this stuff, though I vaguely recall there was a "all new purchases are CE" deal for a couple weeks after release. <--- and this is surely what the store page description references.

[GremaR]

tells you on the alan wake page where the extras should be if you read it?

The Soundtrack will be placed in your Alan Wake folder in the Steam directory:
...Steam\steamapps\common\Alan Wake\Soundtrack

The 130-page illustrated PDF Book will be placed in your Alan Wake folder in the Steam Directory:
...Steam\steamapps\common\Alan Wake\Alan_Wake_Files

Still with the exchage rate it's a third cheaper on gog for me...may or may not get it ...would have prefered steam but a little sick of seeing much cheaper dollar rates

[soulmist]

In response to the last three posts, my outrage was due to the fact that the store page misled me into believing I would get the extra content with the base game purchase. That was not the case. I have checked the aforementioned folders and I have no such content on my system.

I'm not insinuating this isn't a good game or that you shouldn't buy it. Just wanted to make other buyers aware that there is misleading advertizing going on here. I did open a post with the Steam help desk but have gotten no response.

AJRMD, I'm not sure what you could do to remedy the situation if you're not able to update the store page. That was really what I was looking for.

[gentlefury]

Originally Posted by noobdeagle

yeah the content was free for pre-orders previously i guess the page was just never update to reflect that it wont be included in the normal edition.

OK that makes sense then....because I bought it in Feb and don't remember buying a collectors edition...but I have the bonus material.