Well, if you've never played or haven't played for a very long time (like me), you're not coming from a place of any knowledge other than what you might have heard. I played in beta and for about 9 months after, I think, so I'm familiar with the game at that time. I went back and looked at the free trial but a few days isn't really long enough to get too in depth about the state of the game, although I did notice some small things.
In some cases, you might be right. Very general things, issues that might present themselves in any sort of MMO... fair enough. However, I have to agree that those who are currently playing the game, or have played very recently, are in a better position to make relevant suggestions. He worded it badly,, perhaps... but sort of true, all the same.
Having said that, I've found most of the things DANU said in those chat sessions, and much of what those who are subscribed have complained about, to be kind of ominous. Based on that bit of information, I wouldn't subscribe to Horizons again. Well, at least not at this time. If people had started raving about the changes and how wonderful the new company seemed to be, you never know. Of course, this game has a history of broken promises and the new team haven't offered up much info so far.
Please be careful if you decide to check out this game. The new company is having a lot of trouble with the billing. I was charged immediately for my free trial and this is happening to virtually everyone. Once signed up you can not cancel your account.
They are not responsive to any inquiry for help in my experience.
Here is a quote from their official forums from a senior moderator after a member asked why they were charged with no chance to cancel - "Have you logged into the game since EI took over? If so, are you aware, that by doing so, you actually gave them permission to bill you for your monthly fees? Its in the Eula, you might want to check that aspect out."
This does not make me giggle like the other poster said, it scares me to think people are going to get tricked into providing information that will be used to charge them with no hope of being able to cancel.
When EI bought it they knew that. They are just hoping it keeps a small playerbase and makes them a small profit. Considering they apparently bought the game for less than $100K it won't be hard to do. Which probably means no more development for Horizons since dev's cost a pretty penny to a small mmo like Horizons.
As it stands today.. I am still reading horror stories from many of the players on the community boards. Many people are having problems yet with the billing. My account isn't up for renewal until the end of the month, hopefully they will have it fixed. When I am sure it is in working condition again, that Cancel Subscription will be right under my clicking curser.
Is there a reason to wait before you try and cancel? Is it a matter of possibly compromising your personal information if you try and cancel at this time? I know all games have issues, but this one seems to be a problem magnet.
I was reading yesterday in the official forum about a woman who cancelled because she had fallen on hard times and the cancel didn't go through. Her $13 sub became $50-something because she had insufficient funds and was charged late fees or something. It took her ages to sort out because they wouldn't talk to her and every phone number she had for their company was broken. The lead forum moderator, who seems to have a big heart, finally intervened on her behalf and got the problem sorted for her.
I hope they don't have to spend their $100K on refunding money and paying people's late fees!
Actually, that player was only promised that a refund will be issued at some point in the future.
I'd be a lot more impressed with this "resolution" if EI had processed the refund immediatly, covered the overdraft fee caused by their improper billing, apologized publically, and fixed the bloody billing system. But hey, that's just me...
Originally posted by KlausW Actually, that player was only promised that a refund will be issued at some point in the future. I'd be a lot more impressed with this "resolution" if EI had processed the refund immediatly, covered the overdraft fee caused by their improper billing, apologized publically, and fixed the bloody billing system. But hey, that's just me...
Its not just you Klaus, I agree also, as I believe most people probably do.
I'm in the same boat as the player you mentioned.
1) I can't cancel 2) I got charged my renewal, even after sending them an email of my intent to cancel 3) EI will not respond to my emails, posts and other attempts at contacting them. 4) Now I'm forced to file a dispute of the charge with my bank, so they can help me get the matter resolved. 5) Who knows how long I'll have to wait for all this to be resolved and get MY MONEY BACK.
All this company had to do was communicate with us, yes its that simple, and they blew it imo.
Originally posted by Signe Is there a reason to wait before you try and cancel? Is it a matter of possibly compromising your personal information if you try and cancel at this time? I know all games have issues, but this one seems to be a problem magnet.
Certainly, for me there is a reason to wait. Upon talking with many players that have been trying to cancel subscriptions even yet today, there are many problems with cancelling and being billed numerous times for them. As far as I have gathered I don't believe canceling an account is a clean cut-and-dry option at this point. No one answering phones, and no email support. Unless there is a complete turn around with support, (which everyone with any type of passion for the game is hoping for) when my due date comes up, I most likely will contact my cc company to block payments to have a new card issued. My imagination runs wild when I think that there is no terms of service, secure billing, very little interaction with the community, no support, technical and or billing wise. I can't help but think, that they may take the game for what they can get without putting themselves in any type harms way and dump it. I sure I hope I am dead wrong.
As for the official forums, most of the people with woe's won't post there because of the moderation. Due to it being deemed unacceptable. They have however spread out across different forums to take up their discussions about their experiences.
Originally posted by DangerGirl My imagination runs wild when I think that there is no terms of service, secure billing, very little interaction with the community, no support, technical and or billing wise. I can't help but think, that they may take the game for what they can get without putting themselves in any type harms way and dump it. I sure I hope I am dead wrong.
After reading around on some forums and now your most recent post, I am likely to agree. I don't know if it's the case or not, but it's certainly worth the worry. In some circumstances I'd be likely to blame it on growing pains but, it seems, they have already bought and are running another game... although most people seem to have never even heard of it. Although I left some time ago, Horizons is probably one of the few games that has had serious problems that is worth trying to save. Some of it is very clever. I have a feeling that it will have to be by a more savvy company than EI, however.
Comments
In some cases, you might be right. Very general things, issues that might present themselves in any sort of MMO... fair enough. However, I have to agree that those who are currently playing the game, or have played very recently, are in a better position to make relevant suggestions. He worded it badly,, perhaps... but sort of true, all the same.
Having said that, I've found most of the things DANU said in those chat sessions, and much of what those who are subscribed have complained about, to be kind of ominous. Based on that bit of information, I wouldn't subscribe to Horizons again. Well, at least not at this time. If people had started raving about the changes and how wonderful the new company seemed to be, you never know. Of course, this game has a history of broken promises and the new team haven't offered up much info so far.
Please be careful if you decide to check out this game. The new company is having a lot of trouble with the billing. I was charged immediately for my free trial and this is happening to virtually everyone. Once signed up you can not cancel your account.
They are not responsive to any inquiry for help in my experience.
Here is a quote from their official forums from a senior moderator after a member asked why they were charged with no chance to cancel - "Have you logged into the game since EI took over? If so, are you aware, that by doing so, you actually gave them permission to bill you for your monthly fees? Its in the Eula, you might want to check that aspect out."
This does not make me giggle like the other poster said, it scares me to think people are going to get tricked into providing information that will be used to charge them with no hope of being able to cancel.
1
I was reading yesterday in the official forum about a woman who cancelled because she had fallen on hard times and the cancel didn't go through. Her $13 sub became $50-something because she had insufficient funds and was charged late fees or something. It took her ages to sort out because they wouldn't talk to her and every phone number she had for their company was broken. The lead forum moderator, who seems to have a big heart, finally intervened on her behalf and got the problem sorted for her.
I hope they don't have to spend their $100K on refunding money and paying people's late fees!
Actually, that player was only promised that a refund will be issued at some point in the future.
I'd be a lot more impressed with this "resolution" if EI had processed the refund immediatly, covered the overdraft fee caused by their improper billing, apologized publically, and fixed the bloody billing system. But hey, that's just me...
Guildleader, Mithril Council, Chaos
I'm in the same boat as the player you mentioned.
1) I can't cancel
2) I got charged my renewal, even after sending them an email of my intent to cancel
3) EI will not respond to my emails, posts and other attempts at contacting them.
4) Now I'm forced to file a dispute of the charge with my bank, so they can help me get the matter resolved.
5) Who knows how long I'll have to wait for all this to be resolved and get MY MONEY BACK.
All this company had to do was communicate with us, yes its that simple, and they blew it imo.
As far as I have gathered I don't believe canceling an account is a clean cut-and-dry option at this point. No one answering phones, and no email support. Unless there is a complete turn around with support, (which everyone with any type of passion for the game is hoping for) when my due date comes up, I most likely will contact my cc company to block payments to have a new card issued.
My imagination runs wild when I think that there is no terms of service, secure billing, very little interaction with the community, no support, technical and or billing wise. I can't help but think, that they may take the game for what they can get without putting themselves in any type harms way and dump it.
I sure I hope I am dead wrong.
As for the official forums, most of the people with woe's won't post there because of the moderation. Due to it being deemed unacceptable. They have however spread out across different forums to take up their discussions about their experiences.
Best regards..