Author: Admin

Zenimax Permanently Bans Hundreds of ESO Accounts Over Morrowind Codes


A bunch of players logged into their emails to find some bizarre notifications this week. For some, they were learning that not only had their subscription been cancelled but their accounts were permanently disabled. While MMO Fallout is not a stranger to reports of mass bans over cheating or bug abuse, this one is a bit peculiar. As it turns out, Zenimax Online permanently banned players over their Morrowind game codes.

The issue, at least for many, appears to stem from the player having entered an early access code for Morrowind without later entering in the full product code (which would indicate that they pre-ordered for early access and simply cancelled). Others noted that they had cancelled their pre-orders due to issues with Amazon not shipping/delaying physical copies of the collector’s edition. Others went further, stating that they had not only received their copies but had entered the codes only to find their accounts banned due to not owning the content anyway.

The thread discussing the incident can be found here, with players complaining of being locked out despite customer service claiming to reactivate their accounts for 24 hours to resubmit their product key. Codes which, for users who already redeemed the keys on their accounts, will be useless.

“Thank you for reaching out to us about your account. Our records show that this account has been deactivated as a result of not applying a valid Morrowind game code. This account has been notified on multiple occasions that we required a Morrowind Collector’s Edition code to be redeemed on the account, and as a result of this code not being redeemed, the account has been turned off.

However, we are willing to make a one-time exception and have reactivated this account for 24 hours. During this time, we ask that you please redeem a valid Morrowind game code to your account. Should your account not have a Morrowind game code redeemed on it within 24 hours, the account will be permanently deactivated. If you have any questions or issues redeeming a code, please respond to this message, and we’d be happy to provide assistance.”

The accounts have since been reactivated. Zenimax’s official statement:

Yesterday, we deactivated a few hundred game accounts due to not applying a valid ESO: Morrowind game code. However, we found that some game accounts were wrongfully suspended and we are in the process of fixing those accounts now. This should only take a couple hours to complete today; we appreciate your patience while we correct this issue. If you are still not able to access your account by this afternoon, please contact our Support Team and they will follow up with you. Thanks in advance, and we apologize for the confusion this has caused.

[Community] Why the Marvel Heroes Store Change Matters


Last week MMO Fallout reported on Gazillion Entertainment reducing the price of storage by 50% and refusing to reimburse people who had already made purchases. I’ve seen a lot of discussion on this, both for and against the decision, and I wanted to discuss why this is a topic that needs attention.

First off, let me qualify that whenever the term refund or reimbursement is brought up in this article I’m strictly speaking in terms of cash shop currency. I’m not suggesting, nor do I think many would expect, Gazillion to hand out hundreds of one or two dollar refunds over the PSN. In the grand scheme of things, Gazillion could have easily run a check to see who had purchased the storage upgrades and set the system to place the G’s back in their wallet, or just grant them extra storage for the equivalent new price. But they didn’t.

Gazillion is obligated to do something for its early backers, not because it’s written into law but because of how Marvel Heroes is being marketed and sold to consumers. I’ve seen a lot of people comparing this to buying a product and then complaining when it goes on sale, a comment which I have to say is wrong on two levels. First, this isn’t a normal product that you buy from a store. It’s a digital good that you’re buying for an as of yet unreleased video game. The cost didn’t come down because of a sale, but because Gazillion made some adjustments and found the price to be too high based on user feedback. As a short second, most stores will reimburse you if an item you bought goes on sale shortly after.

This calls back to an issue that we’ve talked about for years: Developers deciding that open beta now means soft launch, allowing them to effectively launch the game and monetize it while claiming immunity from strong criticism because it’s just a beta. You can’t have it both ways without risking trust issues with your customer base, which is why the first thing that most developers do when they launch a game these days is hammer down the cash shop. It may seem like priorities in the wrong place, but it stops moments like this from happening.

Another point I’ve seen come up is on the idea of products coming out and immediately going on sale. Yes, that does happen and it is not received positively by the customer base for whom it becomes a reason to not trust the developer/publisher. While it may not be particularly egregious, you risk burning out customers early because what you’re telling them is that you don’t have your stuff in order, and you’re willing to make them foot the bill for it. It’s the new form of old developers who sold long subscription times on the premise that they would never go free to play, only to make liars out of their PR people.

Otherwise I have no opinion on the matter.

Protector’s Jubilee Returns To Neverwinter: New Rewards/Events


It’s back! Like the McRib, the Protector’s Jubilee only comes around once every so often to the delight of its audience. While Neverwinter’s event may not be glazed in barbecue sauce, it does offer a host of freebies and sales during the week long event. Beginning Tuesday and running through June 26, players will be able to take part in several events including Elminster’s Messages which will task you with traveling to various zones to complete quests as well as the Protector’s Speech Skirmish, an instanced party mini-game involving the protection of Lord Neverember himself.

During the event, you’ll also be able to get your hands on free goodies including the bag of holding and level 60 experience boost. You’ll need to log in each day to claim the new item.

(Source: Neverwinter)

Marvel Heroes Refuses Compensation Over Storage Price Cut On PS4


Marvel Heroes is permanently cutting the price of storage on Playstation 4, and in case you’re worried about compensation for those who purchased storage at its previous price, you have nothing to worry about. You’re not getting compensated. Prices have dropped 50%, with the beginner starter pack running for 250g (from 500) and the individual packs running for 100g (from 200). When asked on the forums, Gazillion responded that there are no refunds or compensation being issued.

Sorry but we are not issuing refunds or price protection at this time.

Marvel Heroes is still in beta so adjustments to prices are guaranteed as user feedback is taken. Gazillion refusing to compensate players who bought in early could harm long term trust and discourage early purchases.

(Source: Marvel Heroes)

Heroes & Generals Will Still Ban You If Your Cat Cheats


Heroes & Generals developer Reto-Moto has zero tolerance for cheaters, even if your cat is the one (allegedly) installing the nefarious programs. While cheaters are regularly banned in waves, the folks at Reto-Moto want anyone thinking of giving themselves an advantage to “try it out” should know that there is a zero tolerance policy in place. Cheat once, you’re gone for good.

  • Anyone who is found to have, at any point in time, used any kind of third-party software designed to cheat while playing Heroes & Generals will lose their accounts once the cheat has been confirmed.
  • Do not “try out” a cheat, not even once: You will be permanently banned on all accounts. Neither the legitimate players, nor we, care that you were only “trying it out”.
  • Do not expect to get away with excuses like “my brother / son / cat used my account”. You are responsible for any abuse perpetrated by anyone with whom you share your login credentials (which is also prohibited by the terms of service).
  • Confirmed cheaters who bought Gold will not be entitled to any kind of compensation whatsoever.

(Source: Heroes & Generals)

[Video] RuneScape: Invention Batch 2 Diary


The next RuneScape expansion is right around the bend, and Jagex is talking about a major update to Invention coming along with the update. For now Jagex is taking community feedback regarding changes to Invention as well as new device ideas.

Mods Ollie, Deg and Erator take you through what they have planned for the second batch of invention, due to be released with the next RuneScape expansion. Check out the video and give us your thoughts and feedback on what you would like to see added to invention, as well as how to complete the skill.

Interested players are encouraged to head over to the official forums and Reddit to voice their suggestion.

  • Benefits for reaching higher levels
  • New devices, focusing on 99+
  • Machines, which will slowly automate simple processes for you
  • Quality of life improvements.

And more!

(Source: Youtube)

Weekend Starter: A Collection of Free Weekend Games


What is free to play this weekend? Everything, apparently. Well maybe not everything, but there are a fair amount of free games to fill your weekend, especially if you’re willing to subject yourself to things like the Uplay launcher. Of the games listed below, Battleborn is permanently free to try and Payday 2 is the only one that you can snag now and keep forever. Regardless, if you’re looking to kill some time, you’ll find plenty of grinding to do in RuneScape and The Division.

  • RuneScape is hosting a free weekend until June 12 where players can log in and access members-only content. You’ll also be able to snag a free mummy outfit from Solomon’s Store during this weekend.
  • The Division is free to try on Uplay this weekend. The promotion includes the base game with progress saving for the full version if you do buy it.
  • Trials Fusion is also part of the Uplay weekend.
  • Steep is also part of the Uplay weekend.
  • VR shooter Battledome is hosting a free weekend on Steam.
  • Mirage: Arcane Warfare is also hosting a free weekend on Steam.
  • Payday 2 is free for the first five million people who grab a copy.
  • Deformers is hosting a free weekend on Steam.
  • Battleborn has transitioned to a free trial game.

PSA: Payday 2 Is Free, In Limited Quantities


Overkill Software is giving away five million copies of Payday 2 on Steam, and all you have to do to collect is to head over to the Steam page and click install. In an unorthodox giveaway for the platform, Payday 2 will remain free until five million free copies are redeemed, after which it will be available for full price. Overkill has already announced plans to shift Payday 2 and its great abundance of DLC into one package, dubbed the Ultimate Edition, that people who already own the game and some of its DLC will be able to buy into at a pro-rated discount.

That package isn’t ready yet, but the DLC is being taken away from the store, so Overkill is making the base game free in the meantime. Not everyone is happy about this change, but the game did come out in 2014 meaning those who bought in on day one should have gotten more than their money’s worth by this point.

Perfect World/Cryptic Announce Magic: The Gathering MMORPG


Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios have announced that an MMORPG based on Magic: The Gathering is coming to PC and consoles. The announcement comes directly from Cryptic Studios, and while there isn’t much in the way of details (those are coming later), the developer did announce that the game is being built from the ground up for both PC and console systems. Going by Perfect World’s other titles, it makes sense that the game should come to both Xbox and Playstation 4.

The world’s most popular strategy card game, Magic: The Gathering transforms players into Planeswalkers, powerful mages who can travel between planes, cast spells and summon mythical creatures. The beloved trading card game has over 20 million fans across more than 70 countries, and is available in 11 languages. Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios’ new RPG will allow fans of the game to fully immerse themselves in the Multiverse, the rich fantasy world in which Magic: The Gathering takes place.

More information on Magic: The Gathering to come.

(Source: Perfect World Press Release)

[Column] RuneScape Pride Day Provokes Bigoted Backlash


This Thursday sees the launch of a mini-event in RuneScape, something that given its scope and scale probably shouldn’t elicit much more than an “oh okay,” or a “that’s neat” at the peak of emotion. Jagex is adding in a rainbow scarf, obtained through finding a small number of rainbow fragments hidden all over the game world, in support of Pride Day. This is why players are rioting in RuneScape.

And because a small section of the base wants to show that they are not, in fact, bigots and simply don’t want politics “shoved” in their game, people are showing up in Old School RuneScape dressed in a manner to resemble KKK uniforms, shouting racist obscenities about Jewish people, lobbing homophobic comments at Jagex, and advertising for Alex Jones’s Infowars. Because it’s all about keeping politics out of gaming and nothing to do with bigotry.

RuneScape has previously held events for political subjects, including the YMCA, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Prince’s Trust. In case you were wondering if these players reacted similarly to “politics being shoved down their throat” when the subject wasn’t gay pride, they didn’t. Regardless, Jagex isn’t backing down from their plan to release the scarf. While there are no plans to ban players for simply protesting the event, bans have already been handed out for players using offensive slurs or bigoted speech in chat, as well as for those walking around dressed up as Klan members.

Despite the bigoted backlash, there have been level-headed players offering fair criticism of this event, including the fact that it was not polled. While players have disagreed on whether or not such an event needed to be polled, those of you who read MMO Fallout are likely aware that the game is pretty well built on polling for content, with updates not being delivered unless voted on by at least 75% of respondents.