Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (Full Version)

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Erik Rutins -> Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 11:50:46 AM)

********* Official Communique 11/13 ******************

Dear Purchasers of AGEOD's WWI,

For those who do not already know me, my name is Philippe Thibaut, General Manager of AGEOD. I wish to make a brief announcement on behalf AGEOD regarding our just released title, WWI.

WW1: La Grande Guerre is an extremely ambitious game, based on a very rich and sophisticated set of rules. It was developed by a third-party team based in Italy. The engine is not same one which drives BOA, AACW, NCP, WIA, and ultimately VGN. WWI was produced with a vastly improved version of the same engine which was first used to develop the game, Great Invasions.

Some of you are experiencing various problems (freezes, CTDs, bugs, unclear rules, and/or a lack of adequate documentation). I am deeply sorry for these problems. However, I am absolutely certain that these problems will all be completely resolved to your ultimate satisfaction. Please accept my personal apologies for any inconvenience and disappointment. Luca Cammisa, head of the Italian team, is working around the clock to correct any and all issues. I have many years of experience working with Luca. He and his team are very talented, and I have full confidence in them.

The plan is to get out the first patch as quickly as possible to address stability and hardware compatibility issues. A second patch should follow in a few weeks which will address the most serious game play bugs. Beyond that, as there have always been for our games, there will be further patches until the game realizes its full and ultimate potential. Finally, we are aware that the initial game manual is inadequate and that providing a copy of the board game rules for download is no substitute. Concurrent with coding and testing, we are working on a complete and comprehensive manual.

AGEOD has always strived to be an ambitious industry leader when it comes to history oriented strategy/wargaming. Quite a few of our games have received awards and wide spread acclaim. Ambition has driven us to raise the bar with each new game. However, no company can continuously push the edge of the envelope without occasionally stumbling as has happened here. Modeling the "War to End All Wars" and one of the greatest conflicts of the last century was an epic undertaking. Despite some humbling initial problems, we assure you that AGEOD is up to the task. Ultimately, WWI will be no less of a masterpiece than any of our other titles.

We appreciate everyones' understanding, patience, and loyal patronage. We have been as open and transparent as possible about this situation. However, we would never seek to impose on or exploit our customers' good will. Therefore, we fully understand and accept that some of you might prefer not to wait until all remaining issues with WWI are addressed. So for those who are not satisfied with WWI as it now stands and prefer not to wait for patches, we are ready to reimburse your purchase price.

Please know that ultimately what AGEOD values most as a business is our reputation for quality and customer service along with happy customers who feel that they have received full value for their hard earned dollars or euros. Even if you should choose to return the game, we hope you will still consider yourself part of the AGEOD family. You will always be welcome here to discuss our products with us and guide us to realize games that are only bounded by your and our imaginations. Thank you.

Philippe Thibaut

General Manager, AGEOD




***********************************************************




ETF -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 1:36:40 PM)

Appreciate the update...........pity though the product was know to have some many problems but yet was released anyways. I'm sure it will no doubt be a great game so for the time being I will look at the pretty map [;)] 




JudgeDredd -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 2:51:09 PM)

WOW...good to go.

'tis a shame the game has been marred in it's release, but you have to give them their dues...a refund is a pretty good offer from a company nowadays.

Kudos...and I WILL be getting it...just after the problems have been ironed out. [&o]




GBS -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 4:20:43 PM)

I too was/am planing on purchasing later. I have become highly skeptical of new issue war games. Anyway, this should be a jamup game by end of January.




TheGreatRadish -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 7:02:50 PM)

Well, that's very fair.

I really want the game actually and if I had the cash I would buy it today, regardless of the problems discussed. Unfortunately, the costs of roof repairs, car servicing and some other things I've had to pay for in the last month means I can't get it just at the moment. But I'm even more keen now.




Lascar -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 8:02:16 PM)

AGEOD has always held to a high standard of integrity and this gesture confirms it. I haven't bought WWI yet but intend to do so once the majors bugs are ironed out.

Meanwhile I continue to enjoy Frank Hunter's Guns of August which Frank continues to polish and improve.




SlickWilhelm -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 10:24:01 PM)

Wow, this kind of apology and transparency is almost unheard of in the gaming industry. I think I'll buy the game after all, just because I want to support a company that is not above admitting when they make a mistake. So many companies could learn a lot about customer service by this single act of doing right by your customers.




therockyfroggy -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/13/2008 11:42:06 PM)

It's funny when people post that they will buy a game which has issues and no indepth manual just because the company posts that they will refund people who want one.

Personally, I will probably buy the game because I love boardgame and most boardgame conversions and any super duper in depth game is a thumbs up from me. I'll wait a bit though. [;)]




z1812 -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 12:30:16 AM)

Hi All,

How refreshing to read an honest and sincere statement from a gaming company..................actually from any company. I do not have this game although I am interested in it. Certainly this explanation and offer of a refund to those dissatisfied is a breath of fresh air. I think it fair to say they will generate a lot of goodwill through this.

Regards John




mariandavid -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 12:33:54 AM)

I also will puchase - promises and statements like these indicate a dedication to a product that is sadly lacking elsewhere. Apart from that I have long been searching for a game with the depth and detail of 'War in the Pacific'




tevans6220 -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 4:23:57 AM)

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.




Hanal -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 5:49:31 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.



I think alot of people would have appreciated a similiar statement from companies like PARADOX who released games like Diplomacy, and lest we forget, Hearts of Iron I was alot worse than this game when it was first released. Obviously, individuals such as yourself can never be satisfied by whatever anyone does, but that is your problem...[8|]




tevans6220 -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 7:17:14 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: J P Falcon


quote:

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.



I think alot of people would have appreciated a similiar statement from companies like PARADOX who released games like Diplomacy, and lest we forget, Hearts of Iron I was alot worse than this game when it was first released. Obviously, individuals such as yourself can never be satisfied by whatever anyone does, but that is your problem...[8|]


It has nothing to do with being satisfied. It's called accountability. There are consequences to actions. Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not going to heap praise on a company that knowingly and willingly releases a bad product and then makes a statement apologizing for it and assuring that they will rectify the problem. I would expect nothing less. Minor bugs and design flaws are on thing. This game crashes, locks up and doesn't even come with proper documentation. PhilThib fully admits it but that doesn't make it right or okay. Is it okay for me to rob you and keep your money just because I say I'm sorry. Offering refunds seems like a classy move but if they didn't, it would be perpetuating a fraud. They knowingly and willingly sold and released a game that basically doesn't work. They even sold preorders. I like PhilThib, Pocus and Ageod. I own and play a lot their games (BOA, WIA, ACW, NCP) but that doesn't mean I think they walk on water. I call 'em as I see 'em.

On a personal note, I'm glad that you have the infinite wisdom to make personal judgements on people you don't know. You don't even know me and yet you were to see that I have a problem with never being satisfied. I'm humbled and I bow to you. Here's a bit of advice. Keep your wiseass observations to yourself because you come off as a condescending asshole. It might get you into trouble someday. Like I said, I call 'em as I see 'em. Don't like it? Tough!!




Adam Parker -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 9:07:18 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.


FINALLY someone with a brain, commonsense and the capacity to think for themselves! [&o]

This "communique" from AGEOD is not a message of benevolence but one protecting their legal backside.

It does not appear that AGEOD's games carry the standard clause against their software warranteeing correct performance. Instead their warranty states that in the event of any defect they will swap their product within 3 months. As a swap for broken code is impossible, their warranty then assures a refund.

AGEOD had might as well have written "we refer dissatisfied customer to their warranty protection guaranteed not by us but by law".

I count roughly 30 pledges of support for AGEOD on their WW1 Communique thread.

quote:

Marketing Rule of Thumb:

"Unhappy customers will share their dissatisfaction with between 8 to 16 people".


Let's hope AGEOD only made 30 sales for their sake...




DBeves -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 9:24:17 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

quote:

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.


FINALLY someone with a brain, commonsense and the capacity to think for themselves! [&o]

This "communique" from AGEOD is not a message of benevolence but one protecting their legal backside.

It does not appear that AGEOD's games carry the standard clause against their software warranteeing correct performance. Instead their warranty states that in the event of any defect they will swap their product within 3 months. As a swap for broken code is impossible, their warranty then assures a refund.

AGEOD had might as well have written "we refer dissatisfied customer to their warranty protection guaranteed not by us but by law".

I count roughly 30 pledges of support for AGEOD on their WW1 Communique thread.

quote:

Marketing Rule of Thumb:

"Unhappy customers will share their dissatisfaction with between 8 to 16 people".


Let's hope AGEOD only made 30 sales for their sake...


Here Here mate...

That is exactly the point ...

A refund for an obviously broken product should be the rule and not the exception..

Power to AGEOD for making the promise but they should have eaten humble pie and admitted the game was not ready for release rather than trying to make some silly deadline.

I must also say that what is conspicuous by its absence however in the statement from AGEOD is exactly how I would go about getting a refund ... perhaps they can make it clear ?

Also - does this apply to people who bought from matrix ?

What I also fail to understand is that why ... following such an earth shattering statement from the producers of the product as to its quality - matrix are still offering it for sale ?






Terminus -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 9:25:24 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: tevans6220

I think some people are losing sight of the big picture here. Had the game not been released in such a sorry state there would have been no need for PhilThib (Ageod) to make such a statement. This game was definately released too soon and in an incomplete state. Praising them for admitting it seems a little odd to me.


Agreed. AGEOD have really screwed the pooch on this one, and they should hang their heads in abject shame.




sterckxe -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 9:50:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DBeves
What I also fail to understand is that why ... following such an earth shattering statement from the producers of the product as to its quality - matrix are still offering it for sale ?


Because at this point in time you're basically given the option of getting your money back or trusting AGEod to put things right through patches. Given their good reputation as to patches thus far, I don't think a lot of people will actually take them up on the refund proposition, but will put the game on the backburner for now awaiting patches to fix things.

What I can't understand is why AGEod is taking flak over their refund offer. Zeus knows I can name at least two other titles from two other publishers this year which were released in a state *more* deplorable than this game and no refund was ever offered there.

AGEod did the honourable thing here : admitting they screwed up by pushing this title out the door too soon to make the artificial deadline of 11/11 and making an offer *everyone* should be pleased about.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx




DBeves -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 10:15:07 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: DBeves
What I also fail to understand is that why ... following such an earth shattering statement from the producers of the product as to its quality - matrix are still offering it for sale ?


Because at this point in time you're basically given the option of getting your money back or trusting AGEod to put things right through patches. Given their good reputation as to patches thus far, I don't think a lot of people will actually take them up on the refund proposition, but will put the game on the backburner for now awaiting patches to fix things.

What I can't understand is why AGEod is taking flak over their refund offer. Zeus knows I can name at least two other titles from two other publishers this year which were released in a state *more* deplorable than this game and no refund was ever offered there.

AGEod did the honourable thing here : admitting they screwed up by pushing this title out the door too soon to make the artificial deadline of 11/11 and making an offer *everyone* should be pleased about.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx



No - I think you miss my point ... If I bought a car and four days later all the wheels fell off then I would have a right in law to get my money back... The product fails to do what it states it does.

Now games will be a matter of taste - and likes or dislikes should never be cause for a refund - but when the thing plain fails to simply work ... I should have just as much right for my money back... I dont think AGEOD are getting beaten up for making their offer - they are getting beaten up for releasing an unfit product - the point being made above is that given the obviously known state of their product and the fact they took peoples money for it a refund is what they should have done - I dont think they should be getting plaudits - as they are on their forum - for implementing what should be a basic consumer right. the fact other companies dont do the same doesnt alter that fact....




balenami1291 -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 10:35:19 AM)

Im Angelo from italy I NEVER played an AGEOD's Game.

I have no direct interest or business with ageod.

I follow this game and its forums since this summer.

Excuse my bad english..
I hope I can hurt no one with my words.
If some words sound wrong is only my bad english.
I deeply respect this comunity.

Please, you should consider

1) AGEOD is french. European & U.S.A laws are pretty diffferent.
European Customers are less protected than amercicans.
In Europe, "Refund option" really sounds different than in U.S.A.

2) The game suffers 2 different kinds of problems.
a) the game was released 11/11/08 at 11.00 o'clock.
Exatly 90 years after the end of war.
It's clear, and AGEOD dosn't hide this, Was made a great effort to resperct this date. A patch was planned to release just after the gamers begin to play it. the manual will follow the same strange path . ATM you can play with a very small manual and you help yourself with the boargame rules dowladable from AGEOD forum. So fast als possible you'll receive the (fully) manual of the Videogame.

b) A nasty problem regards HW compatibiltywith AI. AGEOD admits no Beta testers intercepts this issue. They are work night and day to understand and fix it.

So they planned 2 diferent patch:

1 They realese the firsrt one so fast as possible to fix incopatibility.
2 Around at the end of ther month, they'll release a patch to fix and enhanced the vanilla verision.


I think since we (customers) spend regular money we should receive a regular game.

But in Europe we need to remember wath was WWI. I really think a realese at 11/11 was no only a marketing issue.

About AI incompatibilty I think everyone can make a mistake.
before we fire this game, we should think this is a very ambitious and difficoult project with a small market's niche of fans.

Again, Excuse my bad english.

Angelo







Terminus -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 10:40:18 AM)

Oh please, of course it was marketing. AGEOD made a conscious decision, for the sake of their sales, to release this game on 11/11. Don't think it was anything else. It wouldn't have been a problem if they'd released a finished product, but they didn't.

And I'm pretty sure that consumer protection in Europe is a lot better than in the US.




sterckxe -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 10:42:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DBeves
I dont think they should be getting plaudits - as they are on their forum - for implementing what should be a basic consumer right. the fact other companies dont do the same doesnt alter that fact....


Basic consumer rights is a phraze as hollow as the inside of a balloon and almost totally meaningless in the game software world - and everyone knows it. So when a company actually, in an almost unprecedented way goes totally against the grain and actually does the right thing some people still find that not worthy of at least a nod and a "well done" ???

<boggle>

Well, there ain't no pleasin' some people.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx




Gresbeck -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 10:58:01 AM)

quote:


1) AGEOD is french. European & U.S.A laws are pretty diffferent.
European Customers are less protected than amercicans.
In Europe, "Refund option" really sounds different than in U.S.A.




O.K. Angelo, in principle I could agree with you, but let's not depict European and Italian Law as if we lived in the age of stone. I'm a lawyer and you can trust me. We have a European directive about protection of consumers, and there is no doubt that even under our old European Law every customer has the right to give the product back and to have his money refunded, when it's proved the product doesn't perform its function. I trust Calvinus and Ageod. I think in the future we'll have an excellent game, but there is no doubt that AGEOD has promised nothing more than respecting the law.




tevans6220 -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:08:16 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: DBeves
I dont think they should be getting plaudits - as they are on their forum - for implementing what should be a basic consumer right. the fact other companies dont do the same doesnt alter that fact....


Basic consumer rights is a phraze as hollow as the inside of a balloon and almost totally meaningless in the game software world - and everyone knows it. So when a company actually, in an almost unprecedented way goes totally against the grain and actually does the right thing some people still find that not worthy of at least a nod and a "well done" ???

<boggle>

Well, there ain't no pleasin' some people.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx



Geez Eddy I guess it's okay for me to rob you and keep your money as long as I say I'm sorry. Bottom line is they screwed the pooch by releasing an unfinished product and for many a non-working product. Apologies, assurances and offers of refunds doesn't change that fact. Praising them for their communique seems a little odd to me. It's like praising failure or mediocrity. It's like saying "Oh thank you for screwing up. Way to go." Ageod are a bunch of good guys and I have no doubt that they'll make it right. That still doesn't change what happened. As a consumer I expect nothing less than apologies, assurances and offers of refund for a faulty product. As you said it's totally meaningless in the game software world but they better wake up. The gaming industry needs me a whole lot more than I need them.




DBeves -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:15:37 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: DBeves
I dont think they should be getting plaudits - as they are on their forum - for implementing what should be a basic consumer right. the fact other companies dont do the same doesnt alter that fact....


Basic consumer rights is a phraze as hollow as the inside of a balloon and almost totally meaningless in the game software world - and everyone knows it. So when a company actually, in an almost unprecedented way goes totally against the grain and actually does the right thing some people still find that not worthy of at least a nod and a "well done" ???

<boggle>

Well, there ain't no pleasin' some people.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx



I'm sorry - but I pay my money for a game that AGEOD knowingly knew didnt work and I have to thank them for offering me a refund ? I hear where you are coming from but to thank them for it is to accept the morality of not giving me one ... which I dont... I tend to look at the world in terms of what it should be and not what it is ...




Stwa -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:24:57 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Terminus

Oh please, of course it was marketing. AGEOD made a conscious decision, for the sake of their sales, to release this game on 11/11. Don't think it was anything else. It wouldn't have been a problem if they'd released a finished product, but they didn't.

And I'm pretty sure that consumer protection in Europe is a lot better than in the US.



Maybe, but me thinks the release date was a MONEY decision, not a marketing decision. Hence, the "pre-release" of about 30 days duration. (maybe shorter). There's really no marketing magic behind the 11/11 date. Heck, my kids were out of school that day so getting on line and buying something was not really in the cards. Know what I mean. [;)]

Plus they probably already had the box sets waiting for the CD's.

[:)]




Prospero -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:29:24 AM)

Apology accepted!

There is a lot of work to do for you guys, but after reading the communique, I am sure you'll work on enhancing the game.

I have already bought and played WWI. The map is beautiful (but I don't understand why the map is turned by 45° counterclockwise) and the game concepts show a very large potential for a very good game. Since it's crashing alot I wasn't able to play more than two or three turns in a row. Also, the game often misinterprets my movements and does different things than I want it to do. Moving an army is pain, as well as changing army compositions. I would appreciate a "left mouse click -> activation" and "right mouse click -> action" type of interface, so I don't end up moving armies to locations I don't want them.




Adam Parker -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:32:21 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

Basic consumer rights is a phraze as hollow as the inside of a balloon and almost totally meaningless in the game software world...


Actually, Eddy going on the warranty included with AGEOD's ACW, AGEOD does not include the standard software clause that protects the company from faulty code.

That is unique!

Therefore, if any customer who bought this game from AGEOD, Matrix, Amazon etc., wants a refund due to bugs, they can claim under warranty on this one within 3 months. After that, local law kicks in.

I don't have the WW1 warranty wording but someone here might want to confirm this.

What's the bet AGEOD changes this disclaimer forthwith if so [;)]




Adam Parker -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 11:35:34 AM)

I'll delete this one and replace it with something positive:

We at least still have the GMT boardgame "Paths of Glory"... they've just expanded that one into the Middle Eastern/Turkish theatre.

Happy gaming [:)]




sterckxe -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 12:24:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker
Actually, Eddy going on the warranty included with AGEOD's ACW, AGEOD does not include the standard software clause that protects the company from faulty code.


Actually that standard clause is totally bogus and is totally trumped by European Union consumer laws anyway. The thing is that nobody takes a games developer to court, with all the costs/time involved in doing so, if the most you can get in damages is the price of the game itself.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx




Stwa -> RE: Communique from AGEOD on World War One Status (11/14/2008 12:40:10 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: sterckxe

quote:

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker
Actually, Eddy going on the warranty included with AGEOD's ACW, AGEOD does not include the standard software clause that protects the company from faulty code.


Actually that standard clause is totally bogus and is totally trumped by European Union consumer laws anyway. The thing is that nobody takes a games developer to court, with all the costs/time involved in doing so, if the most you can get in damages is the price of the game itself.

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx



That's right, it would be like trying to sue Pizza hut for a couple of lousy pizzas. But, if you could prove substantial psychological damages (shouldn't be too tough), then maybe you could drain a little cash out of em. [:D]




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