There are so many posts and so many different places where information and mis-information is being posted regarding this issue. I think it is best to try and consolidate all the arguments into one single thread and explain that this isn't the issue that people think it is.

I am going to divide this thread into two parts: first, I am going to explain the process of getting the pre-order and registering for the early access; and THEN explain the details.

Process

Funcom announces the pre-order program. As part of the pre-order program, you can get a mount/bow/bags and also an opportunity for early access to the game (a 3 day head start). However, if you read the fine print it says that "some restrictions apply" and to "see the registration page for details" (I can verify this for Gamestop and Best Buy).

So I go to the local Gamestop and $20 for the pre-order. I have been following Age of Conan for years so I knew that I was going to buy the game. At the time, they told me to check back later to get my pre-order information. Weeks later (around the end of April) I go back to the store and get the pre-order card (which is basically the same as Best Buy - it just doesn't come in a little box).

I got home and went to the website when it would let me (May 1st?) and registered my pre-order. On the webpage, I read the details concerning the $5 additional charge and that I would have to pay additional for early access. I was not happy about an additional $5 but it covered 10 days of game time so that made it okay. Days later I checked back and registered for the early access and submitted my account/billing info and got it done.

At that point, I waited until May 14th to start downloading.

Details

First and foremost, the early access program is governed by the Funcom website not by the pre-order. THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS!!! Pre-ordering the game doesn't guarantee a spot in the early access. So if you have been billed by Gamestop/Best Buy, then you have been charged for the pre-order and not the early access.

The details are a bit murky and it isn't clear but we have the responsibility as adults (and YES if you are pre-ordering and playing Funcom you are considered to be an adult) to be smart consumers and not get taken. Some responsibility lies with you the consumer and the business as well. Funcom has done nothing that is fradulent or a scam. Yes, there was a miscommunication but thats it.

If you pre-ordered and didn't get in the early access, you still got what the pre-order guaranteed. You have not been scammed. You were not charged or billed for the early access and Funcom isn't failing to deliver. Now IF you have gone to the registration site and signed up for early access and were CHARGED $5 by Funcom and you DID NOT get in the early access, then you have a complaint. I would recommend you contacting Funcom and/or your bank and getting it resolved.

However, I believe 99% of you complaining about this believed that you were guaranteed a spot in the early access because you pre-ordered and failed to understand that it was a separate registration process. However, it was clearly stated that you had to get the details from Funcom.

I am sorry for those of you who didn't get in to the Early Access. I would be upset too. However, I would not be trying to blame Funcom; I would accept my own personal responsibility for failing to pay attention and read carefully.  There are many of you here who are acting like that and saying "Hey, I screwed up". But many here are trying to blame Funcom for something that isn't their fault. DO I think the communication should be clearer? Sure, but I also learned LONG ago that you have to take initiative and find out the answers for yourself and to not expect them dropped in your lap.

And to those of you who are canceling your pre-order because of this issue, it is your right to do so but it makes me wonder how much you wanted to play anyway. Its 3 days and its easily remedied (you wait 3 days). Again I am sorry you didn't get into the early access, but taking a step so extreme as to cancel your pre-order is a bit much for a miscommunication. And I also want to apoligze to you because you are going to miss out on a great game because of a miscommunication that has been blown WAY out of proportion.

Very nice topic, well explained.

EDIT: And to add, to be honest, I was one of the ones who got fooled by this. I think Funcom purposefuly made it hard to understand so that they would make an extra buck off of you before launch. Yes I know that Gamestop/Best Buy and Funcom aren't affiliated and Gamestop/Best Buy will get all pre-order cash. And it would sound a little harsh of me to accuse Funcom of this, but it is true. In regards to this, I can state, I WILL NOT be canceling my pre-order with Gamestop because of this, and I WILL be buying the game on the 20th when it comes out.

i_own_u

Excellent post, let's not let a misunderstanding ruin what will be a fresh new experience in the MMORPG world. I don't think anything could make me turn back now. I'm so thrilled to finally be getting near the launch that I can't stop thinking about it.  Long live King Conan!

I hope we get on the same server, templarga because I would enjoy grouping up with you. I have always loved how logical and informed your posts are/

Nicely explained and a good summary.

Sadly I am quite certain that it will fly right by many people's heads or get outright ignored. *sighs*

Good effort though.

Originally posted by gamedever

I hope we get on the same server, templarga because I would enjoy grouping up with you. I have always loved how logical and informed your posts are/

Thanks man. I always try and be logical and informed (as you say) when I write. It really helps with my job (I am a college professor). Anyway you can find me on the server that OTG (Old Timer's Guild) is on at launch (PVE server). Thanks again.

I suppose that the marketing folks at Funcom werecompletely and toataly unaware that the retailers were alluding to early access in their advertisements......yeah

I actually missed my chance to get Early Access and really didn't know I need to rush to get this thing done. Best Buy was taking forever to get their pre-order boxes in. Will be alongside the rest of ya, crashing Tortage on launch day .

Process

I go into the store and pickup a Pre-Order box. It still advertises the Early Access program and doesn't mention anywhere on it that it is limited. It is a main selling point on the box. I get home and go to register the key only to find out then that there are no Early Access keys available. I go to forums and vent.

Funcom didn't tell all of the Distributors (online and in-store) that the Early Access was limited.

I'm sorry but there have been too many upsetting things going on with this game, I've decided to just cancel my pre-order and I'll skip this mmo.  I was very worried about it to begin with, I was there for Anarchy Online's launch, and I've seen the beta for AoC . . . now, the last straw was having purchased a pre-order for AoC months ago, and not being able to get early access to the game before launch.  That's kinda lame, and I hope it isn't a sign of things to come from Funcom for AoC players

I have the actual preorder box in my hand from Best Buy.  It says right on the front of the box:

Pre-order and receive the Best Buy exclusive in-game War Rhino AND 3 day early access to the game

Absolutely NO WHERE on the box does it say "while supplies last", "for a limited time only" or even that you are not guaranteed the three day access.

You mean to tell me FunCom didn't  see these boxes before they went to print and were not aware of the situation?  Who wrote all the text for the boxes, gave the codes and artwork to the printer? Best Buy? Bah.

FunCom's name is on the box and it's their game.  They're responsible for scamming the customer out of something the box CLEARLY states.

Baaaaad move on their part.  No way will I be associated with a company that says one thing and does another.

Originally posted by Jackdog

I suppose that the marketing folks at Funcom werecompletely and toataly unaware that the retailers were alluding to early access in their advertisements......yeah

Not alluding to early access, Jackdog... CLEARLY stating it.

Originally posted by JonMichael

I have the actual preorder box in my hand from Best Buy.  It says right on the front of the box:

Pre-order and receive the Best Buy exclusive in-game War Rhino AND 3 day early access to the game

Absolutely NO WHERE on the box does it say "while supplies last", "for a limited time only" or even that you are not guaranteed the three day access.

You mean to tell me FunCom didn't  see these boxes before they went to print and were not aware of the situation?  Who wrote all the text for the boxes, gave the codes and artwork to the printer? Best Buy? Bah.

FunCom's name is on the box and it's their game.  They're responsible for scamming the customer out of something the box CLEARLY states.

Baaaaad move on their part.  No way will I be associated with a company that says one thing and does another.

 

 

Small print.

On the back of the box about 10 lines down: "Your unique code to unlock both items and additional details are inside this box". This means read your card inside the box.

Card says on the bottom: "Some restrictions apply, see registration page for details".

Then you go to the webpage and gives you complete details/restrictions.

Thats all there is to it. I am not sure WHY its so complicated for some.

And to turn your argument around: where does it say "buy this box and you are guaranteed to get early access". No where  - it says more details elsewhere as I alluded too.