I guess it might be in the EULA somewhere or posted on a FAQ, so sorry if I am asking something people already know but what is the policy on down time for paying subscribers ?
Most of us are probably all on our 30 day "free" included with the retail box - do we get any days carried over if the down time exceeds a certain number of hours in that 30 days - e.g. lets say the servers are down for a total of 5 days in that 30 days - do we get those 5 days free still ?
Lets say this regular downtime extends in to the paid subscription - how much server maintenance and down time is allowed for Cryptic before the subscribers are allocated free days to cover that paid time when they couldnt play ?
For example, Blizzard drop their servers for maintenance an hour or so every few weeks - which most WoW players dont expect to get reimbursed time for - but when the servers are up and down like the proverbial, then Blizzard can issue a free day to cover the fact the players couldnt use the service.
Could somebody from Cryptic billing reply stating if there is such a policy at Cryptic and if so what are the terms of it - i.e. how many days are expected/accounted for in a paid month and what triggers free days, if any ?
I've never heard of a circumstance where days were carried over for maintenance or down time. Its a part of the game. A welcomed part where the fix and improve the game.
The only time I've seen any kind of reimbursement of time is where there is a significant downtime period. Significant being several days with servers down.
These situations are incredibly rare and I can really only remember once or 2x when it occurred in any game.
Downtime happens. If it is a major thing, like when EQ2 was down for nearly a week at Christmas, they'll consider reimbursements. For a couple of hours, nothing.
Using WoW as a example, I think it had to be at least 12 hours before they credited a day. So, unless the server is down for at least 12-16 hours I dont think we'll be getting any extra time.
I got 2 weeks free time from Blizzard when i couldn't log in for almost 3 weeks since day of launch. And i wasn't alone. Many others got free time too but not the same amount of days. However, free time was given after 30 days were over.
The EULA will say something about them not promising that the servers will always be up. It's a standard part of an MMOG EULA to cover themselves in times like these.
As frustrating as it can be (particularly if you haven't been there at many MMOG launches), this is pretty standard at launch time for most online games and is why people often give the game a few weeks for the devs to iron out the wrinkles.
Ok - I just wondered if there was an actual official written rule somewhere - it only rarely happens in MMOs. I can only remember 3 or 4 "free" days in WoW in 4 years. Just curious... and seeing as the server appears to be back up now (?) I guess my curiosity can wait for a Cryptic reply - or I can always read the small print on the EULA or retail box during the next down time !
I guess it might be in the EULA somewhere or posted on a FAQ, so sorry if I am asking something people already know but what is the policy on down time for paying subscribers ?
Most of us are probably all on our 30 day "free" included with the retail box - do we get any days carried over if the down time exceeds a certain number of hours in that 30 days - e.g. lets say the servers are down for a total of 5 days in that 30 days - do we get those 5 days free still ?
Lets say this regular downtime extends in to the paid subscription - how much server maintenance and down time is allowed for Cryptic before the subscribers are allocated free days to cover that paid time when they couldnt play ?
For example, Blizzard drop their servers for maintenance an hour or so every few weeks - which most WoW players dont expect to get reimbursed time for - but when the servers are up and down like the proverbial, then Blizzard can issue a free day to cover the fact the players couldnt use the service.
Could somebody from Cryptic billing reply stating if there is such a policy at Cryptic and if so what are the terms of it - i.e. how many days are expected/accounted for in a paid month and what triggers free days, if any ?
I hope these questions are reasonable.
Blizzard CAN but they never do unless your out for DAYS....
trust me... i know this
I've never heard of a circumstance where days were carried over for maintenance or down time. Its a part of the game. A welcomed part where the fix and improve the game.
mmos even wow has extended play time if the service been down for an unusual amount of time..
II. Description of Services
Through the Cryptic Studios Sites, Cryptic Studios may provide you with access to a variety of games, products and services, and related resources, including download areas, communication forums and product information (collectively "Services"). The Services, including any updates, enhancements, new features, and/or the addition of any new Cryptic Studios Sites, are subject to these Terms of Service and any license agreements, codes of conduct or posted rules, instructions or guidelines regarding a particular Service and any related Software and materials (as applicable, the "License Agreement"). If there is any conflict between these Terms of Service and the applicable License Agreement for a particular Service, Cryptic Studios shall resolve the conflict in its sole discretion.
VI. Disclaimer of Liability
1. NEITHER CRYPTIC STUDIOS NOR ANY PERSON OR ENTITY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING OR DISTRIBUTING ANY CONTENT OR SERVICES CONTAINED ON THE CRYPTIC STUDIOS SITES, NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, MAKE ANY WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THAT THE CRYPTIC STUDIOS SITES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE; NOR DO THEY MAKE ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM USE OF THE CRYPTIC STUDIOS SITES OR AS TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, QUALITY OR CONTENT OF ANY INFORMATION, SERVICE OR MERCHANDISE PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE CRYPTIC STUDIOS SITES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL CRYPTIC STUDIOS SITES COMMUNICATION FEATURES.
On occasion, sometimes time is extended to impacted players as an act of good faith, but they are not legally bound to do so, according to these terms.
Comments
These situations are incredibly rare and I can really only remember once or 2x when it occurred in any game.
But server downtime is very common in MMOs and you will never see reimburstment or rollover in American MMO subscription plans.
7 hours and 44 minutes of downtime a month is 99% uptime
74 hours down is 90% uptime
are you sure you really want to go there?
As frustrating as it can be (particularly if you haven't been there at many MMOG launches), this is pretty standard at launch time for most online games and is why people often give the game a few weeks for the devs to iron out the wrinkles.
Blizzard CAN but they never do unless your out for DAYS....
trust me... i know this
mmos even wow has extended play time if the service been down for an unusual amount of time..
On occasion, sometimes time is extended to impacted players as an act of good faith, but they are not legally bound to do so, according to these terms.