HTC and Individual Customers

[glennco]

Today I am awe struck by a customer service issue at HTC.  I recently downloaded the new version which supported integrated video, and while I noticed a few performance issues which I expected, and as I haven't played since AHI was decommistioned, I really anticipated trying it online.

When trying to do so, I learned that HTC would not allow a second trial period in order to evaluate the new software.  In fact after pleading my case I received the following reply.

No, you can try it offline or in the H2H arenas.  There is only one two
week
trial available per client.  The purpose of the trial is to allow new
people
to witness and participate in the massive online arenas.  You already
know
what that is like.
Whether or not you are online or offline is not an issue.  If the game
works
with the integrated video chip is the main issue we are trying to
address.

While I wasn't expecting the the 75hz framerate I was receiving with AHI, I did want to evaluate its performance online before deciding to anty up the bucks.

I can already hear the replies coming from this crew of bb posters, "buy a video card, Why should HT care about integrated video" I will hear from you all, but I state that there is only a certain investment I'm willing to make to play a game I pay for monthly.

Until the axe swung my way I totally understood HTC's position in some of the posts I read on my nearly daily bbs reading, but now I have come to realize that HTC does not take the individual customer into consideration whatsoever, only the concerns of the hoarde.

The worst part is, my addiction to this game is such that sooner or later they will probably be taking my money again, and for that I only have myself to blame.

[SunKing]

New games, technology = upgrade. It's been like that for years. Where's the issue.

[KurtVW]

I don't think I could ever be accused of being on the "always-support-the-vendor" side of the argument, but allow me to illustrate a point to you Glennco

Its been what?  6 months since you played?

During that time you saved :  $89.70 in AH fees...

MORE than enough to buy the better video card you needed anyhow.

Case closed.

[United]

Glen, I have a strong feeling you are in the minority on this issue.  Most people who had questions to HTC had them handled and fixed better than any other company.

Also, they are correct.  They offer one free trial period for a reason:  So that people cant take advantage and use a different name when one trial ends.


But... Why can't you go into the H2H rooms?  All you need to do is create an account and you're in.  No need to pay, no subscription nessesary.  In fact, you dont even need a name.  It gives you a NewU### and you're flying.

[Wotan]

If your issue is whether or not your integrated video card can handle AH2 then you test that offline and in h2h.

Why would it require another 2 weeks free in the main?

While I wasn't expecting the the 75hz framerate I was receiving with AHI, I did want to evaluate its performance online before deciding to anty up the bucks.

Evaluate what? AH2 is the same game as AH1 was online line. AH costs .50 cents a day and even a 1 month sub is hardly a large 'anty'.

Obviously HT put time into getting a patch out so those with the integrated cards could play. He could have just said to hell with them all together. Why do you think HT owes you any more then that?

What other modern game can you play with that card anyway?

HTC's reply to your request is perfectly reasonable and I can't for the life of me figure out what you expect to gain from this thread.

[glennco]

I fully expected a berating from most of the crew here, but I really just wanted to get my opinion out in the open.

I also totally understand the general policy regarding trial accounts, in this case I was hoping it would be waived given the newness of this version and the lack of widespread use in a large arena.  

The H2H arena will not put the load on a system that the MA will.  Frame rates regularly drop when you're defending a base from the hoarde, and I didn't want to be stuck paying for something only to receive 2hz framerate.

On putting out the cash for a video card.  When purchasing this computer I never intended it to be used for gaming, as a matter of fact I had no intention of gaming before oboe talked me into AHI, and thus I still resist purchasing a video card for a machine that was close to top of the line 10 months ago.

[Tarmac]

FYI, I had a similar issue when I subscribed after having network connection issues and changing ISP's.  I called HTC and Skuzzy told me that while they couldn't waive the 2 week trial, they would refund my money if I subscribed and couldn't play due to crappy connect on my somewhat new ISP.  Good enough for me.  

Call them, explain your situation, and maybe they can work something out.  *****ing about it on their own BB isn't going to make any friends.

[streetstang]

God I hate people who try to make a buck to feed their families.
Damn HTC to hell!:mad:


Get real dudes. Or get a life.

[Mak333]

If you REALLY wanna play this game, you'd get a new card.  Plain and Simple.

If you don't have a vid card that is compatible with AH2, i'd say you be using some onboard technology for 7 years ago which costs basically nothing.  Today video cards have dropped a ton.  I used to own a Radeon 8500, from the time i bought it (150 dollars) it dropped about 60 in just 4-6 months.  You don't even need that good of a card to get decent frame rates.

[Drunky]

If you buy a meal and your stomach/intenstines can't handle it certainly isn't the vendors fault or responsibility if they offer a safe food.

HTC posts hardware criteria that they have tested and verified.  They actually have done more than most companies, beta testing with the current crowd, etc.

I don't think that $19.95 for a month's worth of seeing if your machine will handle 'the load' is unresonable to ask since HTC has already posted minimum specs.

Of course you could extrapolate the frame rates you get from H2H.  Are you getting 5 fps when taking off in H2H?  Then you probably can't fly in the MA.

Twenty dollars will tell you if you can play as your hardware stands, but $80 will also probably buy you a card that will handle it without any problems.

If you wanted to test your card then you could ask seven friend to join you in a H2H room and everyone take up a formation of lancs.  That should give you a good idea of your frame rate.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

First off, you can go into an H2H arena and turn up the details and see how it works.

Second, if that box was close to top of the line 10 months ago it would run AH II. And if it was close to top of the line at any time, it would not have integrated graphics. Think about it, 10 months ago is 1-27-2004. Close to top of the line would be an Intel 2.8 or better with a Gig of RAM, and a GeFarce 4 or better video CARD. Or an Athlon 3000+ with a Gig of RAM and a Radeon 9600 or better video CARD. Or something VERY close to the above descriptions. I'll give you the benefit of doubt and assume that you are not a gamer (since you didn't buy the box to game) and simply don't know that your box was not even close to top of the line 10 months ago. My 2-3 year old GeFarce 3 card runs AH II just fine. And my rig is only a 2500+ AMD with 512M RAM. Hardly close to top of the line.

I understand your desire to see if you can run AH II on your machine, but I do not feel HTC owes you a second free trial.

I'm not trying to be rude, I'm not giving you a hard time. Lord knows I've had my differences with HiTech, but this time he's right.

Your assertion that HTC does not consider the needs of single customers is completely false and without merit. Nothing could be further from the truth. Being "awestruck" by the fact that HTC won't give you a second free trial is more than just a little absurd.

Ante up the $15.00 and give it a whirl.

[TBolt A-10]

HTC is one of the most user-friendly companies i've seen.  

I don't understand why you can't try the game in H2H in order to "test" the game out.  ???

[Drunky]

Damn.

I was trying to be polite since he said Oboe talked him into playing and I respect Oboe.

[oboe]

I agree with Glennco that performance in the online arenas may be different than in H2H or offline (I'm thinking of the stutters I get when custom skin textures are loaded during furballs - I would never experience those offline).

Therefore, I can see Glen's request as reasonable; it was just up to HTC to waive the one two-week trial policy per customer and they wouldn't.     It might be a smart decision on HTC's part to make exceptions and give a second trial period to those people who were left out of AH2 due to integrated video issues.  Not sure I've seen the MA top out over 400 on busy nights when it used to be above 500-600 typically.   Might need a carrot to get some of those people back.   But in the end its HTC's call.

Now its up to Glennco to decide whether to risk $15 or not to see if the new patch works in his system satisfactorily in the online arenas.    Or try HTH to see if it even looks promising enough to risk the $15.   Or, just hang back and read the posts of other people with Dell's and try to gauge if the patch seems to be working out for them before taking the plunge and resubscribing.



EDIT: Thanks, Drunky -didn't see your reply while I was posting mine.    Thanks to all who replied to Glen - this thread has stayed very civil IMO.

[nopoop]

It's fifteen bucks..

You had a trial. Everyone get's "one"

You used yours.

Fifteen bucks isn't a decent tip for going out to dinner for a good meal.

I drink fifteen bucks of cheeep beer in on a weekend afternoon.

But they're COLD cheeep beers.

Not including the electricity to make the fridge that never empties stay at the "proper" temperature.

..so...fifteen and chump change.