Final Fantasy VII Accidentally Re-released

[Zoomy]

Hmm, I just got an email from Square-Enix.

Thank you for ordering from Square-Enix, Inc.. At your request a return has been initiated. Your request to return items will expire in 7 days. You must follow the instructions below before your request expires. We are unable to issue a refund before these instructions are followed.

The thing is... I never requested a return. I wanna keep this, and I wanna play it (even if it means waiting until a proper release; I can live with this being a preorder)

P.S. Thanks

Everyone gets that email apparently. And hell, might as well get your money back and re-buy it when it's actually working.

 

[evilneko]

You keep saying that. What is the basis for this claim? It's an assumption.

Since all of your other comments hinge on this, I'll just reply to this one.

The basis? It is physically impossible for that product to exist for sale if it does not exist. They had to create a page, upload the data files, and install the DRM. You don't do that if you don't mean to sell it.

I'm not a programmer, but I know a few. They test stuff before it goes live. This looks like a test that wasn't supposed to go public, and accidentally did. Clearly they have kinks to work out, but they just as clearly intend to provide a product in the near future.

If they don't within a reasonable amount of time - two weeks, say - then that's another issue.

A product clearly exists - people downloaded it. It will be released at some point - and when it is, common sense (aka logic) indicates that those who downloaded it early will have working versions (remember, you can always re-download a purchased file, so even if they need to update their files, they will be able to do so for free because they already purchased it).

Okay. You're assuming. Squeenix has not provided any assurance at all that affected customers will have a working product at any point in the future. Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[MadTinkerer]

They're complaining that the original PC sound files were absolute garbage when compared to the sound files from the PS1 version. So yea, it's 2012 put in the better version of the sound files

The PC midi sound files DO sound better than PS1. Or maybe some people have crappy soundcards. But when I was playing FF7PC in 1999, the only part where the sound suffered was the One Winged Angel part which didn't have the vocals mixed in with the music because midi doesn't support vocals. (But that might have been a bug, because there was a .wav of the vocal track by itself.)

But otherwise, maybe I just had a better sound card than everybody. Or a better stereo setup on my PC than on my TV. Because FF7PC sounds and sounded awesome.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Okay. You're assuming. Squeenix has not provided any assurance at all that affected customers will have a working product at any point in the future. Thanks for clarifying that.

... why would they? Common senses indicates that when it works, anyone who bought it will be able to use their copy or download a new copy. That's how digital sales work. Why would this be different?

The fact that you are questioning whether or not they will get a product makes no sense. Am I making an assumption that Square isn't going to do something insanely stupid and illegal for no reason... yes, I am making an assumption that they made a mistake and aren't criminally insane.

I'm also assuming that Square isn't going to build a giant Laser on the Moon. That's just an assumption, mind - Square has released no Press Releases stating that they are expressly not building giant lasers on the moon.

**shakes head**

If you are determined to be upset over this, then fine, don't let me stop you. Better be wary though - Microsoft hasn't released a Press Release saying that they aren't going to release angry Bears into the homes of people who don't upgrade to Windows 8....

Edit:
Oh, wait - Square HAS released a statement (see the e-mail post above). They're offering a refund. How nice of them.

Now Square is no longer in the wrong. Good move Square.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

snip

you havent heard the pc sounds then, have you? the pc port sounds terrible

I have, but people are complaining that a game that they bought, which isn't finished, isn't up to the highest quality. If this was an official release then they are more than allowed to complain, but knowing what they know they should just ask for their money back and complain when the game actually comes out, if it still has the shit sound.

it IS finished. It was finished in 1998
They aren't making a new game, they are adding DRM and tripcodes to an ancient one.
Sony has a long history of screwing over their customers, in ALL divisions: i wouldn't be surprised if they accuse these people of piracy and make them buy it when the "official" release happens

 

[Beautiful End]

But when I heard they were literally re-releasing the same game only now was just utter bullshit. I wouldn't mind re-buying a game as long as it looks better (MGS, Jak and Daxter, DMC, etc.) but if it looks and feels the same as that game from 10 years ago, then why buy it again? I still got my original copy.

Because a lot of people don't have an original copy. And if you try to find an original copy today, it will cost several times what you'll be able to get this re-release for.

You'll pay no less than $30 on eBay, and at least $50 on Amazon.

But it's still the same as if you were to buy it for the PC today. So right now, it's just a matter of if you're a PC gamer or if you're willing to buy the PS1 copy. The only difference between the two is the price and accessibility. Personally, if I had to choose, I'd go for the PS1 copy because my computer sucks and I still got my PS1/2. But again, that's my personal choice.

So there's just a price gap between the two, more than anything. Nothing more.

 

[Beautiful End]

But when I heard they were literally re-releasing the same game only now was just utter bullshit. I wouldn't mind re-buying a game as long as it looks better (MGS, Jak and Daxter, DMC, etc.) but if it looks and feels the same as that game from 10 years ago, then why buy it again? I still got my original copy.

Because a lot of people don't have an original copy. And if you try to find an original copy today, it will cost several times what you'll be able to get this re-release for.

You'll pay no less than $30 on eBay, and at least $50 on Amazon.

But it's still the same as if you were to buy it for the PC today. So right now, it's just a matter of if you're a PC gamer or if you're willing to buy the PS1 copy. The only difference between the two is the price and accessibility. Personally, if I had to choose, I'd go for the PS1 copy because my computer sucks and I still got my PS1/2. But again, that's my personal choice.

So there's just a price gap between the two, more than anything. Nothing more.

You want it on PC? $30.
You want it on PS1? You'll pay around the same for the game, the system, the controller, the memory card, and you'll also have a PS1 hanging around being hilariously outdated.

But again, it's just a matter of opinion.
PC = $30. Alright, good deal. If you're a PC gamer. I wish I was one but I'm not for many economical reasons.
PS1 = $???. To some people who already own a PS1 or 2, it might be the best choice. Who cares if the PS1 and 2 look physically outdated? It's not like people will point and judge me and steal my firstborn because of my clunky PS. And the game itself? Well, from that I hear, it looks the same on the PC than on the PS.

So yeah, it's just whatever fits you better. Again, if it was a HD release, I'd be pale with envy or something and I'd probably consider getting it, along with a good PC, in the future. But it seems I'm not missing that much...

 

[afroebob]

Never played Final Fantasy, never cared about Final Fantasy, but all I know is anyone who would pay $15 for a rerelease of a game that's already on that system without any kind of graphical enhancements is an idiot.

 

[Michael Oliva]

Edit:
Oh, wait - Square HAS released a statement (see the e-mail post above). They're offering a refund. How nice of them.

Now Square is no longer in the wrong. Good move Square.

It is not "nice of them" to offer a refund on a defective product that they sold. It is their responsibility to compensate customers who were lead to believe they were buying a fully functioning product. It's the absolute least they can do. Any reputable retailer is absolutely expected to stand by their products and to refund a customer's money if the product they sell is defective.

 

[CleverCover]

Stabbed through the heart,
and the soundtrack's lame.
Square Enix,
You give FF a bad name.

I paid my part, let me play your game.
You give FF, a bad name.

Is it weird I came on this just to see what you would come up with?

OT: I really don't know what to say about this. Can't they just get a refund and let them delete whatever it is off their computer? If it's practically the same thing, they should just be able to play this already through the computer.

 

[The White Hunter]

I think we can call it official: Square Enix is just trolling the FF7 fans.

There are better ways to do that.

HD remakes of 8 or 9 would do the trick.

Are... Are you some kind of wizard of trolling?

That would be genius....i can almost feel the butthurt.

Not a wizard no, but I've always said those two would be better served with remakes than 7.
I could see forums lighting up with rage from 7 fanboys. It would be glorious.

Want to really upset the FF Community?

12 sequel.

Though my most wanted FF thingy? 10 prequel with Jecht/Auron/Braska.

They did sequel 12 lol it was that horrible revenant wings bs.
given how things are these days the could easily put VII, VIII and IX with redone graphics and fixs on one blueray and happily walk to the bank.

you may not get a prequel but they are "supposed" to be doing a 10 remake.

Yeah, but think how they would react to a home console sequel.
Honestly, I liked 12, didn't bother with spin offs though unless FFTA2 counts?

They could do that but I can't help but see them making them 3 seperate games if they did and still walk to the bank. What those games needs as a fix, at least for me, is some kind of in game notepad that reminds you what you did last so that when I inevitably take 6 months off halfway through I can actually figure out what I'm supposed to do, tis why I've never beaten 9 tbh.

Not too fussed about 10 remake, I replayed it recently and it looks fine to me, perfectly playable but I'd buy it anyway.

 

[Valanthe]

Stabbed through the heart,
and the soundtrack's lame.
Square Enix,
You give FF a bad name.

I paid my part, let me play your game.
You give FF, a bad name.

Haha, well played sir/madam/other!

As to the topic, well I was going to buy it, didn't even know about the accidental release before this, but Securom? really? I think I'll just keep my $13 and save the headache.

 

[lapan]

As i said, i'll stick with my original pc disks, the rerelease offers nothing interesting anyways.

 

[FallenTraveler]

snip

you havent heard the pc sounds then, have you? the pc port sounds terrible

I have, but people are complaining that a game that they bought, which isn't finished, isn't up to the highest quality. If this was an official release then they are more than allowed to complain, but knowing what they know they should just ask for their money back and complain when the game actually comes out, if it still has the shit sound.

it IS finished. It was finished in 1998
They aren't making a new game, they are adding DRM and tripcodes to an ancient one.
Sony has a long history of screwing over their customers, in ALL divisions: i wouldn't be surprised if they accuse these people of piracy and make them buy it when the "official" release happens

It's a re-release with supposed upgraded textures/audio/all that, not too much of a difference, but there will be a difference. They are fixing up their old game and adding DRM to it too, at least that is what was implied when they announced it.

What is this last bit about. This is Square Enix, but I don't really know what you mean by screwing people over, when has Square screwed anyone over?

 

[MonkeyPunch]

Wait, what?
They released a game early by mistake: I guess that can happen.

It doesn't work per se: understandable under the circumstances as it wasn't really meant to be released.

Not refunding customers who spent money on their game and only got it because of their mistake: Are. You. On. Crack dear sirs?

 

[shadowstriker86]

this is why final fantasy 6 will always be the best:

better story
better characters and a crapton of them
lots of things to find and collect (i.e. tools and espers)
awesome bad guy
no loading times
can name your characters any stupid name you want
you dont need a high powered machine to run the rom version of it, also makes it portable
LONG as hell
some of the best pieces of music in gaming history


i could go on but you get the picture

 

[f1r2a3n4k5]

What ever happened to the customer being right? Obviously, the people who support Square have not worked one of those horrific jobs with this motto.

Digital property is supposed to have very similar rights to physical property. So let's compare Final Fantasy VII to a cheeseburger that all of your friends claimed was delicious, but it turns out to be a bit overhyped.

If a customer orders a cheeseburger, they're gonna expect a cheeseburger. You can't tell them to come back in a few days when you have ground-beef. If they start complaining that they've been waiting too long, stuff a few fries or downloadable soundtracks/wallpapers into their fat faces. That'll teach 'em.

 

[ThunderCavalier]

OK, so what I've gathered from this topic...

Shitstorm.

Oh well. I just hope the people that paid for their (defective) copies of FFVII find some way to play the game eventually.

 

[CrazyGirl17]

...So people bought vopies of and old game that won't work, and when the companie took it off their listing, people complained anyway? ...Would this story warrant that mass facepalming clip?

 

[SodaDew]

I was going to buy it too, till I heard about the midi sound track... I'll stick with my PS1 version then unless they change it.