Apparently a few other people have been hassling Microsoft for an answer for the lack of Gears of War 2 mapcodes and we now have a mass media response from Microsoft
It’s lengthy so click through to see what they have to say
The Gears of War 2 limited collector’s edition for the South African market does not contain any of the downloadable elements found in the version advertised on international websites & where the Live service is available. Live has not launched in South Africa at this point and as a result downloadable content which relies on users having legitimate access to the service is excluded from the content of the collector’s edition.
Legislation and a ruling by the Advertising Standards Authority prevents us from utilizing Live branding on local versions of the game until such time as the service is available in country. The inclusion of Live branding and Live related content would imply that the service is available locally and could be construed as being misleading .
We are in the process of seeking alternative methods of delivering this content as we recognise the value this content to our local customers. In addition we remain committed to bringing Live to SA but unfortunately there is no update with regards to a launch date at this point. We appreciate your understanding at this time as we seek an alternative solution to this issue.
So in other words, you aren’t supported and you ain’t getting it… my professional answer, I don’t care if we are not supported just give us the damn codes. We are on Live anyway and you know it so stop hiding behind bollocks and hand em out…Â
Which is why Nick is the one dealing with them and not me…
Hopefully we can come to some deal with them and give away a pile of codes in a comp or something *nudge nudge, wink wink*
Thanks to Spl0it (HelloPeter) and CraigN
Last Updated: November 14, 2008
Vern
November 14, 2008 at 13:52
Why can they not make it available on xbox live as a downloadable content,like the previous extra maps we downloaded for Gears 1.This code story is up to s**t!!!
Gnarkill
November 14, 2008 at 14:13
Funny how they include all xbox live members when they brag about the 15 million ppl using live even after knowing that a small percentage shouldn’t be on their service because they aren’t supported.
Strife Lives
November 14, 2008 at 14:32
I knew something was up when there wasnt an xbox live logo on the GeOW2 case. But its pure BS.can somebody please litigate the fact that while the case doesnt state ‘xbox live’ on it.THE DISK STILL DOES ! !and that in itself is misleading! this is bs.Msft.
eyesuc
November 14, 2008 at 14:52
short and curlies people… can you feel the pain?
this is rather unsporting, and inexcusable. luckily i didn’t pay for a lancer or map-pack. but if i did, i would demand a refund
Krypty
November 14, 2008 at 14:52
Piles of codes you mean… 1000-2000 in a install base of 72 000 that is not asking for much.
Chevron
November 14, 2008 at 15:17
It’s so that the people that buy the game second hand don’t get the codes.
They are trying to get everyone to buy the game new.
doobiwan
November 14, 2008 at 15:57
That doesn’t fly in my book. The codes are a feature of the game not of Live. I’m taking my copy overseas in a few months and as such I don’t see why I should be discriminated against based on where I bought it.
RivaZA
November 14, 2008 at 16:05
Lucky for me I held off buying this game to see if this would be resolved. I have a friend coming from England next month and I have now asked him to pick me up a collectors copy.
JMFanMan
November 14, 2008 at 18:50
No problem… Just give us Live now then. I really don’t mind…
Strife Lives
November 14, 2008 at 20:41
dont worry,we’ll get Live,I think we’re just behind Zimbabwe in the line.
baba
November 14, 2008 at 22:16
I already moved to Linux, maybe it is time to put the box behind me as well.
I’m gonna play some PS3 now, on my legal, South African, PSN account…
Gigabyte
November 15, 2008 at 08:44
have a little faith they said they are looking at an alternative
gazza
November 15, 2008 at 09:36
Thing is as Doobiwan says these maps are a feauture of the game, they could be played offline via system link in horde and so forth, its too bad the content is not just unlockable on teh disc itself.
doobiwan
November 16, 2008 at 02:59
Gazza, I’m pretty certain they are on the disc already and the code is just an unlock – When you cycle through the maps in the lobby you can see them and a logo pops up as “unavailable” or something.
Problem would be that the code needs to authenticate against Live.
Wolfy
November 17, 2008 at 07:38
wowowowow i think i know now why PS3 is catching up to X360 its not hardware failure.. well not entirely but the meer fact that most 3rd world countries (like ours) .Dont have Xbox live support yet, and Sony already recognizes they’re country and dont have to pay a damn thing to log on and play where MS charges you. And in cases like this where we dont have Live or a local server we end up last with DLC penaltes because MS doesnt wanna take the chance of giving us Live. One would think its obvious that when we get Live sales will grow by 15% because of being able to play online then
Marc
November 17, 2008 at 08:09
They are marketing the X360 to the tune of “if you are not online you do not have anything” even a large percentage of the games have online achievements which you can not access unless you are on live, the NXE is pretty much only about making the live experience better. So why sell the XBox in a country that does not have live? Should we all return ours to MS and demand our money back?
RivaZA
November 17, 2008 at 08:51
I used to be a very pro 360, but it is BS like this that makes me regret my purchase. The sad thing is this is only a taste of things to come, as more and more games start including these unlock codes to get people to buy new. The 360 owners in this county are going to be shafted. Instead of bringing Live to use like they say they would the situation is only getting worse and worse.
I for one will only be importing all my Xbox360 games and then only the exclusives I want. I have a PS3 so everything else I will get on that, graphical disparity be damned.
If I knew this is what the Xbox situation would be like back in November 06 I would have rather waited for the PS3 and put all my energy into that.
I will not be buying the next Xbox.
baba
November 17, 2008 at 08:57
I feel pretty much the same. That said, I haven’t touched GeOW2 for more than a week now, LBP is keeping me very happy and very busy.
Growing closet
March 5, 2010 at 16:55
Pretty interesting post – raises some interesting points for debate. I just stumbled upon your blog this morning and wanted to say that I have really liked browsing some of the posts. Anyways, I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope to read more very soon!