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FFXIV Problems Already Showing. What do you think?Follow

#1 Aug 22 2013 at 8:07 PM Rating: Decent
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494 posts
While I am very optimistic about this game, I am becoming overly pessimistic about SE.

A great game is great, only if a competent team is running it.
And sadly, the last few weeks have shown SE is far from competent.

HOWEVER: Launch will show whether or not this game will succeed. So maybe I'm making this post 2 days too early.

Here is just a list of some major problems that have recently appeared:

1. Gay Marriage Threads Deleted / People Banned
It doesn't matter what your view on gay marriage is. When threads on a topic are getting 40+ pages a day, that's a serious issue in your game. Instead of "cleaning up the threads," SE decided to just delete all threads pertaining to gay marriage, and dish out bans to supporters (while apparently not banning people who stated things like "all you **** should just die").
As a result, a number of websites strongly criticized SE, and a change.org petition gained over 1000 signatures (http://www.change.org/petitions/square-enix-allow-same-sex-marriage-in-final-fantasy-xiv-a-realm-reborn)
The most depressing part about this is that one of the mods posted that they are o.k with people civilly discussing gay marriage.
So the next day someone posted a well thought out interesting thread on it. And to no surprise the thread was deleted.
In other words, SE is -saying- one thing, while acting in an opposite way. People do notice this.

2. Error 3102 & 90000
Throughout the entire open beta, many people were unable to access the game at all.
Threads on the forum reached 1000s of pages on the issue
And the forums just shut down (I'm assuming they overloaded)
SEs solution to this? Give players 6 extra hours.... from 5am to 11 am..... on a weekday....
The hitler reacts youtube video summed this issue up pretty well...

Why is this a problem?:
Open betas are generally meant to show off the game to new players, not sure if it's worth dishing out $70 on a game. From a marketing perspective this was a disaster. If anything, the beta did the opposite, scaring people away from it.
The lack of communication basically showed that either the devs don't care, or they are just unorganized.
And in a competitive MMO world where most devs/mods respond to serious issues within 30min of the problem arising and then post hourly updates (GW2, SWTOR), this open beta basically showed that SE is not up to the task of competing.

3. Character Creation Suspension and Server Overloads
One of the major things you do in any open beta or launch is ensure your servers are working well. Most major betas in the last few years have done this surprisingly well.
After experiencing server overloads -every- other beta, you would think SE would learn from their mistakes and extend server capacity to handle larger loads.
But instead, they suspended character creation, resulting in 1000s of people unable to play with their friends.
In an era when games are trying to eradicate servers (ESO), or have overflow servers (SWTOR, GW2), SE is still doing things the old-fashioned way, and failing at them.
Again, for potential new players (basically the entire point of this game re-design), this is one of those turn-off points.

4. Pre-Order Code Server Overload
After overloading the game servers, one would think that SE would realize "hey lots of people are going to flood our servers."
If they did, it would be an indication they are learning from their sever mistakes
There are lots of options. They could get more server capacity, spread out the registrations over multiple servers, or create a system where you enter your code, it's confirmed, and you get a message saying they will e-mail you when it's processed.
However, this is not the case.
For days, people were getting Pre-order code errors, and were completely unable to register their CE.
When registration got through, the next steps weren't clear. And the 100s of questions on this forum show that quite clearly.

5. Pre-order Confusion
Rather than creating a simple "log into your account and enter this code system," SE opted for a string of confusing "go here, now here" puzzles, and even to this point, half the community doesn't seem to know if they are properly registered, or why they have 2 accounts, or what is going on.
As a 1.0 CE owner and Legacy member, even I had trouble navigating the multiple accounts and steps involved in registering my PS3 code.
When entering a code becomes more confusing than quantum mechanics, you have a problem.

6. Lack of in-house shipping or financial management
1.0 resulted in 1000s of complaints about a terrible payment-service that seemed to overcharge people and steal money.
This would generally suggest to a wise manager, that outsourcing important things like payment or product sales, is not the way to go.
Sadly SE seems to have decided not to pick up this obvious piece of wisdom.
As a result, people have had their CE orders randomly cancelled, and various other issues with digital river.
Just based on the forums, it seems like very few people like them.

7. Forum Limitations
One of the best parts of forums is finding useful guides, explanatory posts, help, etc.
SE has instead opted to ridiculous limitations, preventing any serious threads from being created.
It is very difficult to make an optimal argument in only 1000 words.
And this should have been clear on the Beta Forums, where nearly everyone edited their posts to over-take the limits.
However, SE has opted for one of the most limiting forums I have ever seen for a game.
Given their history of deleting entire threads instead of cleaning up specific offensive posts, I'm assuming this is a cost-saving method.
However, with huge limitations like this, it is hard to have any serious discussions or constructive posts on the forums.
It also makes the forums look constrictive when compared to other MMOs out there.

8. Customer Support Issues
This is no surprise.
The number of complains about SE's customer support is outrageous.
I've seen people being banned multiple times because someone necrod a thread they had already been banned for
People post about spending 3 hours in a queue only to be told to send an email because a representative isn't available
People spend 3 hours on the phone waiting to talk to someone
People being told they can't merge accounts, when the only reason they have 2 accounts is because SE made things overly complicated in betas (or laggy)
E-mails that take 2 days just to be acknowledge, and 2 more days to get a 1-sentance reply
Misinformation
etc.
FFXIV ARR is a game with almost no real support

9. Commercial
I take this one a bit personally, as I run a marketing company.
This is probably one of the worst commercials I have ever seen in my life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCAqc9J3iZc)
I have to assume they skipped the entire market testing process, because it's just -that- terrible
Rather than attract players to this game, it makes the game look like some corny children's low budget RPG.
Not the image you want for an epic redesign.
The saddest part is that FFXIV looks amazing. Within a few hours i'm betting forum-goers could throw together footage to create a more appealing and effective commercial.
When a company screws up this hard you know there will be problems (remember the windows vista Seinfeld commercials?)

Overall
Overall, SE is dropping the ball time and time again.
Now they are basically saying "btw, there will be server congestion at launch", rather than doing what every other modern MMO is doing, and creating overflow zones.
SE Still hasn't managed to get their servers in order, and there is a good chance the errors affecting people during p4 will return. If they can't fix a problem in 3 days, the likelihood is they won't fix it completely in 6 days. Especially since there are no longer 100k+ people to test things.

With a rushed game,
Terrible support,
And massive confusion,

This game will only "succeed" financially with a lot of luck.
And that is really worrying.
If FFXIV was the only MMO I don't think I would consider these major issues.
But when you take into account who FFXIV has to compete with, they seem to fall behind in almost every area outside of the game.

I really really love this game and I'm hoping i'm dead wrong here.
But at this point, I can't see this game going further than the Niche market it already has a hold on.

What do you think?


Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 10:08pm by Azurymber
#2 Aug 22 2013 at 8:10 PM Rating: Excellent
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1,080 posts
You know what? I think I'm just going to play the effin' game and not worry about all this other crap. Stuff will get changed or fixed in due time.
#3 Aug 22 2013 at 8:11 PM Rating: Default
Agreed on each point. Finally someone with some sense.

I don't know if the game itself is rushed but Square Enix as a company is once again showing its incompetence and how out of touch it is with its audience.
#4 Aug 22 2013 at 8:13 PM Rating: Excellent
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220 posts
Vorkosigan wrote:
You know what? I think I'm just going to play the effin' game and not worry about all this other crap. Stuff will get changed or fixed in due time.


While it's true that the game is what is most important, and Yoshi-P is doing a solid job, bad support from the upper management can destroy the game and possibly drive people away. Not to say that will happen but I hope they get their infrastructure problems fixed.

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 10:13pm by PyrielDD

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 10:14pm by PyrielDD
#5 Aug 22 2013 at 8:13 PM Rating: Excellent
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2,232 posts
The only issue I've had with any of the things you mentioned is the 3102 error. While it was a pain they fixed it.

Click and buy was an awful idea which has been done away with.

Most of the rest of the stuff you described is growing pains IMHO. Or people not being able to follow directions.

I don't think the sky is falling
#6 Aug 22 2013 at 8:15 PM Rating: Excellent
I think things will be fine.
#7 Aug 22 2013 at 8:17 PM Rating: Excellent
Well I have already bought the game and gone through all that... SO... Oh well might as well play.
#8 Aug 22 2013 at 8:17 PM Rating: Excellent
Mopdaddy wrote:
Well I have already bought the game and gone through all that... SO... Oh well might as well play.


Smiley: laugh
#9 Aug 22 2013 at 8:18 PM Rating: Excellent
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220 posts
I think that Square is a little gun shy after the amount of money they lost on 1.0 and developing 2.0. If things turn around, and I'm positive they will, the money will start flowing in and the managment will give this game the support and leeway it needs to be great and remain great.
#10 Aug 22 2013 at 8:23 PM Rating: Decent
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494 posts
LebargeX wrote:
The only issue I've had with any of the things you mentioned is the 3102 error. While it was a pain they fixed it.

Click and buy was an awful idea which has been done away with.

Most of the rest of the stuff you described is growing pains IMHO. Or people not being able to follow directions.

I don't think the sky is falling


I just want to make a point about psychology.
I posted a similar thread years ago about 1.0 here: http://ffxiv.zam.com/forum.html?forum=152&mid=128526957471285740#15
More focused on the game than server issues

And people posted the following:
"hi2unewMMO."
"Holy crap the game just came out yesterday CE. They still have a week to go before the other copys start shipping out to the people that didn't want the CE. "
"we all need to chill, bc all these comparisons are on MMO's htat have been out for a while "
"Look the deal is the games been out for what 38 hours? and people are ALL READY quiting because they cant find mobs? "

I just find it interesting that "it's new" seems to be an excuse people use to justify their decision to play a game that is clearly riddled with problems.
I'm not criticizing you or anything btw. I personally will play no matter what and think certain things will be fixed.

But SE hasn't changed its customer support in years, and people have always had a problem with it. I don't think things like that are growing pains. I think they are just poor management. And when you have a normal game, it's probably ok. But when you are trying to revive a game that died, it's probably detrimental to some degree.
#11 Aug 22 2013 at 8:24 PM Rating: Excellent
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2,232 posts
Killua125 wrote:
Agreed on each point. Finally someone with some sense.

I don't know if the game itself is rushed but Square Enix as a company is once again showing its incompetence and how out of touch it is with its audience.


How many tens of thousands of steps had to be taken to get to where we are right now? The fact that his hasn't melted down to slag is its own special achievement.

While I do agree that there have been some blips in the process of 1.0 to 2.0 the gains outweigh the losses by a staggering amount.

My prediction is I'll be having a damn good time next week and nobody is really going to care what happened in P4 or 1.0 or early release or all the other steps on the way where doom was predicted. And the people who flip out and quit because of problems that EVERY major MMO launch faces can just go back to their complaining. I don't need them cluttering up my screen.
#12 Aug 22 2013 at 8:25 PM Rating: Excellent
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190 posts
Personally I just think they didn't realize the mass amounts of people that would actually want to play the game. Espacially after version 1.0 failed.


They are probably understaffed for the current fanbase, give it time. They will catch up I bet.
#13 Aug 22 2013 at 8:28 PM Rating: Good
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6,899 posts
In some ways I see your point OP, but in a lot of ways... well, to be honest I just don't care. If this game was still 1.0 release bad, I'd jump right on your bandwagon. But it's not. The game itself is fantastic for me. Yes they have some backend issues, but pretty much every game at launch does. I know you claim they don't, but I played the swtor beta and I can't tell you how many game-breaking bugs there were up through and including launch. In every game I've been in at launch, things have not gone smoothly. I'll agree it seems a bit worse with SE, but it's certainly not anything that would make me not want to play.

As for the commercial, while I respect your opinion, I actually thought it was ok. I didn't think it was great, but I thought the concept of it was really cool. I wish they had shown actual in-game footage, and made it longer, and had a much more diverse crowd other than just Twilight teens, but the concept was still very cool and I still enjoyed it.
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#14 Aug 22 2013 at 8:30 PM Rating: Excellent
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2,232 posts
Azurymber wrote:
LebargeX wrote:
The only issue I've had with any of the things you mentioned is the 3102 error. While it was a pain they fixed it.

Click and buy was an awful idea which has been done away with.

Most of the rest of the stuff you described is growing pains IMHO. Or people not being able to follow directions.

I don't think the sky is falling


I just want to make a point about psychology.
I posted a similar thread years ago about 1.0 here: http://ffxiv.zam.com/forum.html?forum=152&mid=128526957471285740#15
More focused on the game than server issues

And people posted the following:
"hi2unewMMO."
"Holy crap the game just came out yesterday CE. They still have a week to go before the other copys start shipping out to the people that didn't want the CE. "
"we all need to chill, bc all these comparisons are on MMO's htat have been out for a while "
"Look the deal is the games been out for what 38 hours? and people are ALL READY quiting because they cant find mobs? "

I just find it interesting that "it's new" seems to be an excuse people use to justify their decision to play a game that is clearly riddled with problems.
I'm not criticizing you or anything btw. I personally will play no matter what and think certain things will be fixed.

But SE hasn't changed its customer support in years, and people have always had a problem with it. I don't think things like that are growing pains. I think they are just poor management. And when you have a normal game, it's probably ok. But when you are trying to revive a game that died, it's probably detrimental to some degree.


I really don't think you can put the colossal Fustercluck of 1.0 against ARR.

ARR has the 3102 error a tight squeeze on server capacity and monkeys working customer service.

1.0 got a Sr exec or two smacked down the game got destroyed by a giant dragon and 99.999% of the people who played it were glad to see it go.

As for the customer service issue I don't think that's ever going to change. At least you can get someone to talk to you. Most companies don't even bother with that.

ETA: my point is the guy in charge of the game fixed the game. I would bet dollars to dumplings he's pulling his hair out because of some of the crazy kraap the othe departments do.

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 7:33pm by LebargeX
#15 Aug 22 2013 at 8:31 PM Rating: Good
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217 posts
Most of the things you listed can be addressed with one word - Beta! All of the flaws happened while we were still in different phases of beta. I've been in alot of Beta's, including 1.0, and I have to say, this game is pretty darn polished for only having been Beta. I have no doubt that SE has been busting their butts to see that they produce the best game possible when it launches, their reputation is depending on it. Of course it might need a few tweaks here and there, but I for one am impressed with what I've seen and can't WAIT to get back into the game. Just my two gil worth Smiley: twocents
#16 Aug 22 2013 at 8:33 PM Rating: Good
Sage
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1,675 posts
The fact is SE (as a company) really needs to work on communication and better customer service.

Full Stop.

But all other points are "meh" to me. Some like the 3102 errors were said to be completely fixed, gay marriage or even marriage in general isn't on my radar, forums; don't use 'em, and I won't be really playing full time until a couple of weeks from now...so the queues won't really bug me.

I highly doubt that these points are what's going make or break the game. The game will have plenty of chances to do that.

All of us here in the US put up with bad cell phone customer service, but we stick with it because we almost have to. People who are fans are going to put up with SE's horrible customer service and communication to play FFXIV. I'm not excusing it, but I think once people get what they want, all of the past transgressions are pretty much forgiven.

Plus like others have said ALL MMOs have some kind of issues. Yes GW2's launch was pretty seemless, except for the fact that the AH didn't really work until a month in, and it still had problems then. And I've also mentioned WoW's launch which was plagued with buggy problems, queues (like long ones) and other issues. So there's that.



#17 Aug 22 2013 at 8:39 PM Rating: Good
If that is the best you can come up with to criticize the game then I'm thinking we have a winner.
#18 Aug 22 2013 at 8:42 PM Rating: Good
Scholar
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2,430 posts
I don't think it is nearly as big a deal as the OP makes it out to be. There may be some bugs that still show up (almost surely) but most of the issues you listed don't matter to people if they like the game. Bugs will get fixed; people expect everything to run flawlessly and they're a little out of touch with reality in that way.


I agree that their registration/account management "system" is absurd and needs to be brought up to date. Again, it won't keep so many gamers from playing that the game won't make money. On the other hand, I had no problems registering for the game or for early access. I saw that people who jumped on registering their codes were running into problems, so i just waited. People freak out way too quickly about things.

While it's true that open betas are often no more than PR at this point, that just isn't always the case. Which doesn't make it ok that SE decided to have such an abnormally short one. At least another day to make sure things were working right would have been an intelligent choice. Yeah, the game is being a little rushed out. I kind of expected that? And I expect further issues to probably pop up. Really not a big deal to me and I honestly have a hard time understanding why it makes some people so upset.



Or i could have just said this:

Quote:
If that is the best you can come up with to criticize the game then I'm thinking we have a winner.


Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 10:44pm by Llester
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#19 Aug 22 2013 at 8:44 PM Rating: Excellent
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176 posts
Played XI for a lot of years pretty much immune to what SE does anymore. Though I'll say they're updating on problems leaves something to be desired typically it doesn't mean they aren't working on it or aren't aware of the issue. Better forums out there to use. Case in point we're posting on one now. As for the lack of communication it honestly doesn't bother me. I'm used to them at this point finding out about the issue starting work on it then telling us whats going on sometime later. I also doubt that it scared many people off at all given the number of people who took the time to complain about it then post in the thread when they were asked to.

I'm sure the game will have issues come EA. It's pretty much inevitable as it's something that occurs to every MMO that I'm aware of. But I'm patient and will just enjoy the game as I already do.
#20 Aug 22 2013 at 8:47 PM Rating: Good
OP -
My experience during Open Beta... zero issues. I logged in every time I wanted to and played without issues. Although I do realize there were some people who had 3102 and 90000 problems, I'm guessing the majority of those were resolved... it was beta.

Pre-order code server overload. We have like 4 days to do it before early access. Why people see the need to enter the code as soon as it is available with a million other people is confusing. Just wait a few days, and there won't be any problems and you're not missing anything. I entered the code today and had zero issues, and I will still enter early access the same time as the people who spent hours upon hours trying to get their code to go through.
There was no pre-order confusion if you took the time to read. I pre-ordered, got an email with a code that said it would be redeemable before open beta started... which was correct.
Also instructions in that email... "
FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Pre-Order Bonus Package - Instructions to sign up for early access to the game: <br><br> Visit http://preorder.na.finalfantasyxiv.com and register. You will be notified via email prior to the launch of the game on when you can return and redeem your preorder code to unlock Early Access to the game along with instructions on how to receive your Cait Sith Doll minion and Moogle Cap digital content. <br><br> You will need an active Square Enix account to complete this process so, if you want to set one up in advance, please go here: http://na.square-enix.com/members."

That was clear if you took the time to read. And they did send the email with the 20 digit code when it was redeemable. The rest of your issues - customer service/official forums/commercial are petty and irrelevant to gameplay.
#21 Aug 22 2013 at 8:49 PM Rating: Good
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170 posts
I may have to disagree with you with 2 and on. There is a saying I like to use and thats ********** happens"
#22 Aug 22 2013 at 8:51 PM Rating: Default
It's just a Beta!

... It's just Early Access!

B-but guys, the game just came out!

They'll patch it in 2.1!

Guys? Where are you going?
#23 Aug 22 2013 at 8:55 PM Rating: Decent
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494 posts
ShonaSeraph wrote:
OP -
My experience during Open Beta... zero issues. I logged in every time I wanted to and played without issues. Although I do realize there were some people who had 3102 and 90000 problems, I'm guessing the majority of those were resolved... it was beta.

Pre-order code server overload. We have like 4 days to do it before early access. Why people see the need to enter the code as soon as it is available with a million other people is confusing. Just wait a few days, and there won't be any problems and you're not missing anything. I entered the code today and had zero issues, and I will still enter early access the same time as the people who spent hours upon hours trying to get their code to go through.
There was no pre-order confusion if you took the time to read. I pre-ordered, got an email with a code that said it would be redeemable before open beta started... which was correct.
Also instructions in that email... "
FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Pre-Order Bonus Package - Instructions to sign up for early access to the game: <br><br> Visit http://preorder.na.finalfantasyxiv.com and register. You will be notified via email prior to the launch of the game on when you can return and redeem your preorder code to unlock Early Access to the game along with instructions on how to receive your Cait Sith Doll minion and Moogle Cap digital content. <br><br> You will need an active Square Enix account to complete this process so, if you want to set one up in advance, please go here: http://na.square-enix.com/members."

That was clear if you took the time to read. And they did send the email with the 20 digit code when it was redeemable. The rest of your issues - customer service/official forums/commercial are petty and irrelevant to gameplay.


I entered my code
I got -NO- e-mail ever
I was provided with a code that I entered into PS3 to download the game
there were -0- instructions after I installed
-TODAY- they updated the PS3 client and I was able to link my account

Before that, I had no idea what to do, and not a single person on a forum seemed to have a clue either.

I realize that some people got e-mails, but it's fairly clear that many did not (and may never get any). From what I read, some people lagged out, didn't get their code, didn't get an e-mail, and now the original code doesn't work.

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 10:56pm by Azurymber
#24 Aug 22 2013 at 8:55 PM Rating: Good
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154 posts
I agree that the customer service and lack of communication is poor. Gay marriage(or lack thereof) isn't an issue with me. The 90k error is the one that I had to put up with. They had, what, 1 million people sign up for open beta? I think that should have been a sign for them to create more servers. Overall, i think the issues will be resolved.
#25 Aug 22 2013 at 8:55 PM Rating: Excellent
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176 posts
Killua125 wrote:
It's just a Beta!

... It's just Early Access!

B-but guys, the game just came out!

They'll patch it in 2.1!

Guys? Where are you going?


That is an impressive amount of pessimism.
#26 Aug 22 2013 at 9:04 PM Rating: Excellent
1. Gay Marriage Threads Deleted / People Banned
-It's a game, lighten up and keep real world issues out of it. Couldn't care less if I'm able to get married, it's an MMO not Sims.

2. Error 3102 & 90000
-I got hit with this one, it sucked, I raged, I cried as time was lost....I got over it.

3. Character Creation Suspension and Server Overloads
-This was lame! My wife wasn't able to get on the same server as me the ENTIRE beta, same with FC members. Needed something to prevent this from going this far.

4. Pre-Order Code Server Overload
-I waited a day and had no issues, and still have time.

5. Pre-order Confusion
-Registering this game is ridiculous. Told a friend who was thinking of ordering today that registering is harder than any raid boss we have faced. (We was in a top 20 world guild in WoW, so yeah)

6. Lack of in-house shipping or financial management
-No issues yet, can't comment.

7. Forum Limitations
-Way over board, but not a game killer. Official forums are never, Never, NEVER a good place to go anyways; especially when CS/Admins never post anyways.

8. Customer Support Issues
-Agree 100%

9. Commercial
-It did not make me want to rush out and get the game, that's for sure.

EDIT: Error 3102 is the only thing we should be attributing to "it's beta" at this point. I still remember posting issues with 1.0 and people saying it's just beta, and we all know how that turned out.

Edited, Aug 22nd 2013 11:06pm by planeswalker
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