Haven't checked in with this since the switchover, so I figure I should throw my hat in the thread...or something.

I haven't actually used Gametap once since the switchover (which was right before I subscribed again for a year). Didn't know about the browser thing, and I'm not keen on sticking a random plug in in my main browser, but I'll worry about that once I can actually play stuff

macnbc wrote: If you put in a request with customer service relatively quickly after subscribing and explain your issue you should be getting a refund, however it is always a good idea to please read the system requirements before subscribing.

I see this being repeated over and over again in this thread. This thread has also been going on for almost a year now, and (though I haven't read the entire thread, it's quite long) I haven't seen two things that probably should have happened on day one of this issue.

• A warning that if you're using a 64-bit OS, Gametap won't work with Windows games. It's apparent that almost no one realizes this until it's too late. It's counter-intuitive. You'd think that since the games themselves will work fine that Gametap will as well. You also have to take into account how many people actually read the system requirements, which will be quite low.
  
  Sticking your head in the sand and saying "well, you should have read the system requirements!" doesn't help you or the customers. How hard is it to add another step to the signup process to ask what OS you're using, and give instructions on how to see if it's a 64-bit OS? It's a minor annoyance to save people from the larger annoyance of having to cancel the subscription and get a refund.
  
  And I realize that you went through an ownership change and implemented a new browser-based client, but that's no excuse for not seeing several years ago that 64-bit Windows will dominate the marketplace and that this is a rather large problem. This is something you should have had ready shortly after the launch of Vista, not two and a half years down the road.
  
• Instructions on how to get a refund. I think I've figured it out, but a link in the FAQ would be really helpful. If you're not going to help prevent people from making this mistake, the least you can do is help them get their money back. It might be somewhere in this thread, but I honestly don't want to read the entire thing. This information should be on the first post.

UziMonkey wrote: A warning that if you're using a 64-bit OS, Gametap won't work with Windows games. It's apparent that almost no one realizes this until it's too late. It's counter-intuitive. You'd think that since the games themselves will work fine that Gametap will as well. You also have to take into account how many people actually read the system requirements, which will be quite low.

Since this thread was started, a notice was added to the signup page indicating that 64-bit operating systems aren't supported. It's not just on the system reqs any more. Where else might Gametap put it?

UziMonkey wrote: And I realize that you went through an ownership change and implemented a new browser-based client, but that's no excuse for not seeing several years ago that 64-bit Windows will dominate the marketplace and that this is a rather large problem. This is something you should have had ready shortly after the launch of Vista, not two and a half years down the road.

I believe Gametap was waiting to see if they could get their existing encryption vendor to support 64-bit. Since they seem to be pretty stubborn, they're now going to someone else.

UziMonkey wrote: Instructions on how to get a refund. I think I've figured it out, but a link in the FAQ would be really helpful. If you're not going to help prevent people from making this mistake, the least you can do is help them get their money back. It might be somewhere in this thread, but I honestly don't want to read the entire thing. This information should be on the first post.

I'll add it.

macnbc wrote: UziMonkey wrote: [list] [*]A warning that if you're using a 64-bit OS, Gametap won't work with Windows games. It's apparent that almost no one realizes this until it's too late. It's counter-intuitive. You'd think that since the games themselves will work fine that Gametap will as well. You also have to take into account how many people actually read the system requirements, which will be quite low. Since this thread was started, a notice was added to the signup page indicating that 64-bit operating systems aren't supported. It's not just on the system reqs any more. Where else might Gametap put it?

Is this what you're referring to?



It's... well, quite small. And this is something whoever put that there should have asked themselves: who reads the fine print? Who reads anything below the "Submit" or "Continue" button on a form? When filling out a form, people tend to look at each field top to bottom, filling in as they go. When they get to the button that submits it all, they might look over their answers or just hit submit. I don't think I know anyone who actually reads the fine print.

UziMonkey wrote: macnbc wrote: UziMonkey wrote: [list] [*]A warning that if you're using a 64-bit OS, Gametap won't work with Windows games. It's apparent that almost no one realizes this until it's too late. It's counter-intuitive. You'd think that since the games themselves will work fine that Gametap will as well. You also have to take into account how many people actually read the system requirements, which will be quite low. Since this thread was started, a notice was added to the signup page indicating that 64-bit operating systems aren't supported. It's not just on the system reqs any more. Where else might Gametap put it? Is this what you're referring to? Attachment: Untitled.jpg It's... well, quite small. And this is something whoever put that there should have asked themselves: who reads the fine print? Who reads anything below the "Submit" or "Continue" button on a form? When filling out a form, people tend to look at each field top to bottom, filling in as they go. When they get to the button that submits it all, they might look over their answers or just hit submit. I don't think I know anyone who actually reads the fine print.

Wow i just signed up to GT to play freelancer and i was reading the ToS and all that stuff in the signup process and i admitt i missed completly what that meant,it didnt even occur to me that it was talking about my OS being blocked completely since i have bought and played freelancer on my 64bit vista OS and not got a single conflict.

To then find out that the software that ive paied for refuse's to download atall was a huge kick in the balls,over 80% of the games i buy are not vista supported or 64 bit supported mainly because alot of them are older games and vista wasnt even thought of then.apart from a compatability issiue in some games launch windows thats about the extent of the interferance i recieve for these older games.there are some that dont work and require a XP compatabile mode or something.

but im not PC literate and if the work around isnt very simple i dont even bother trying most of the time,it wasnt untill after i had returned 3 games to the same guy at a EB store because disks werent being detected after install or sometimes dureing install if mutly disks required,that the problem was with the inbuilt anti cheat software and i could go to a website and download a piece of software that negated the need to have the CDs in the drive and fixed the issiues.

sorry went off on a tangant there for abit,but either way i wont be staying with GT ill just have to find some other site to download freelancer from.

LittlestCthulhu wrote: For the last couple of poster's, in case you missed it a few pages back. Thanks to our new ownership we are currently working on integrating a new encryption that is not only 64-bit compatible, but allows for mods and patching. No ETA as of yet but I think it is likely to roll-out this year.

So are you implying what I've personally thought for a while. That Turner didn't want to spend the time or money to develop 64 bit compatible encryption or pay someone else to do it? It's safe to answer this question now isn't it?

I'm just a volunteer mod and not privvy to those kind of things. But I think it wasn't that simple. I think everyone was hoping that they wouldn't have to liscence a new piece of software, that eventually Exent would catch up (thus saving time and money.) Metaboli, for whatever reason, already had liscenced that, so the merger brought it to the table. (Marriage of technology and all that.)
So I don't think it was a simple "Turner didn't want to spend money on it" as much as a it was "Turner was working towards a solution that didn't involve multiple encryption schemes and liscening fees" that became a non issue once the merger happened.

Still Waiting...

I canceled my account several months ago after no one would give me an ETA on 64-bit support. I'm still waiting.

As soon as it's available, I'm a member again. Until then, you ain't getting my $$$.

Your move.

elron wrote: Still Waiting... I canceled my account several months ago after no one would give me an ETA on 64-bit support. I'm still waiting. As soon as it's available, I'm a member again. Until then, you ain't getting my $$$. Your move.

Still no ETA, but I've rumblings of the devs running Yummy games from the silent player, I'll sneak some video of it in action when something tangible is ready.

I guess this is finally it - after struggling with the new Gametap on XP for months, I built a new 64-bit Vista gaming system for unrelated reasons and pretty much nailed the coffin of Gametap compatibility shut. I won't go into the technical 'blah blah everything else but Gametap runs'... I understand the business decision not to support 64-bit Windows. I don't buy the technical justifications because I write 32- and 64-bit compatible software for a living myself.

My simple suggestion: please add full 64-bit Windows support and I _may_ consider resubscribing after my subscription lapses, which I currently have no plans to do. I would also like to point out that the move to the new client has driven away a formerly satisfied customer who would probably have continued subscribing more or less indefinitely.

P.S. Staffing your 'support' forums with volunteer moderators is unprofessional and irritating.

Bye!

I signed up today, missed the fine print regarding 64-bit systems, and now my subscription is basically worthless.

syclick wrote: I signed up today, missed the fine print regarding 64-bit systems, and now my subscription is basically worthless.

Same, really aggravated about it. I put in a request for a refund but I'm bummed now since I'm going to miss out on a lot of games I wanted to play. (And I don't have the money to go buy them all).

Sucks. It just feels so archaic not having support for 64bit.

It's now been a week since I've put in the support request asking for a refund. I've received no response at all. Now I'm going to have to try to contest this with Paypal or something. Thanks a lot, that's a lot more work for me and you just to get my $10 back. GameTap's support is a joke.

UziMonkey wrote: It's now been a week since I've put in the support request asking for a refund. I've received no response at all. Now I'm going to have to try to contest this with Paypal or something. Thanks a lot, that's a lot more work for me and you just to get my $10 back. GameTap's support is a joke.

Refund requests take longer since they have to go through the billing department, have records cross-checked, etc. I've heard that the average one right now can take up to a month.

macnbc wrote: UziMonkey wrote: It's now been a week since I've put in the support request asking for a refund. I've received no response at all. Now I'm going to have to try to contest this with Paypal or something. Thanks a lot, that's a lot more work for me and you just to get my $10 back. GameTap's support is a joke. Refund requests take longer since they have to go through the billing department, have records cross-checked, etc. I've heard that the average one right now can take up to a month.

How hard is it to respond with "We're currently processing your request for refund. This could take up to a month, please be patient."? I've heard nothing at all back from them.

My xp machine is dead , and now I have 2 vista 64 systems. I am not angry at gametap (I am a coder/IT pro as well, so I know how things can get), but I believe that this discussion would really calm down/make people more patient if a timeline was released.

If not a timeline, then at least some updated news. The last we've heard, you are looking to switch to yummy, but nothing past that (AND THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER!!!!). So, please just throw us a bone. Please

d3stroyer427 wrote: If not a timeline, then at least some updated news. The last we've heard, you are looking to switch to yummy, but nothing past that (AND THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER!!!!). So, please just throw us a bone. Please

The Yummy news was far more recent than September, Mac simply edited the original post.

buster42 wrote: The Yummy news was far more recent than September, Mac simply edited the original post.

and even put "Updated June 2009" at the top.

I'm really happy to see movement on the YUMMY encryption. Looking forward to seeing any video tidbits LittlestCthulu can dig up for us.

I have three systems at this point, two desktops and a laptop. For other software I use, all three are 64-bit. The day they get at least a reasonable percentage of their PC titles compatible with 64-bit computers, I'll be signing up again.

It's the middle of 2009. At this point, I would only buy a 32-bit system for either a cheap laptop (admittedly, even my current cheap laptop is 64-bit for work reasons) or a desktop solely for word processing. For Gametap (or their game license providers) to continue this way is about as clever as designing new Gamecube games.

A growing share of a shrinking market is a bad business goal.

No way?!? No x64 support?

Man, I just saved $80 searching for Ubuntu support and stumbling across this!

I might install and dual-boot the 32 bit version and get a months worth to try it out, but I shouldn't have to...

This needs to be moved to the front of the list. A quick consult of any PC building sites should show you why. This service will die without quick development of 64bit support. You could put the latest games that just released on here for subscribers and people still wouldn't buy it because there is no support for 64bit. The person who said a growing market share of a shrinking market is a bad business goal was spot on.

If I'm reading all the posts right around these forums (and I may just be misreading) it sounds like this is at the near top of the list. Unfortunately, it may just take that long to move things along. (LC did say that the devs are testing some games in Yummy though, so maybe we'll get stuff sooner rather than later.)

Cartigan wrote: This needs to be moved to the front of the list. A quick consult of any PC building sites should show you why. This service will die without quick development of 64bit support. You could put the latest games that just released on here for subscribers and people still wouldn't buy it because there is no support for 64bit. The person who said a growing market share of a shrinking market is a bad business goal was spot on.

This is at the front of the list, the devs are working diligently to implement the new encryption scheme.

LittlestCthulhu wrote: Cartigan wrote: This needs to be moved to the front of the list. A quick consult of any PC building sites should show you why. This service will die without quick development of 64bit support. You could put the latest games that just released on here for subscribers and people still wouldn't buy it because there is no support for 64bit. The person who said a growing market share of a shrinking market is a bad business goal was spot on. This is at the front of the list, the devs are working diligently to implement the new encryption scheme.

About time. I've been posting on this issue for years now.