Box contents of Civ4 very slim...

[ButSam]

All I wanted for Christmas this year was Civ4. Imagine my excitement--bordering on elation--when I got it from my sweet wife this morning.

Now imagine the horror, bordering on complete disappointment--when I find out 2K does not quality check even the weight of their packaging, nor the contents thereof....

OK, my box of Civ4 contained:

1 CD (not 2--I thought it was 2...and yes, it says PC CD-ROM on the outside, so it's not a DVD...besides, I have a DVD burner drive anyway)
NO tech tree poster
NO manual
NOTHING else--no registration card or anything even remotely similar.

AND to add insult to injury, when I stuck in the CD-ROM, it was COMPLETELY BLANK.

I don't even want Civ4 anymore...but all I can do is exchange it now that it has been opened. Oh, sure, I want to play the game of course--Civ has always been my favorite...but I don't want to get my hopes up for nothing. I hope the freaking store (probably Walmart, but it could have been Target--obviously, I don't know for sure) will take it exchanged, considering it is missing no less than FOUR things! (And the one thing it has doesn't work at all.) This has been the biggest letdown this year...and my poor wife will most likely beat her up for it when I eventually tell her we need to exchange it tomorrow. I don't ever want to buy a 2K Games game again. I know Firaxis doesn't do the packaging, 2K does, so I don't blame Firaxis at all--I just hope Firaxis will strongly consider moving under someone else's lead--somewhere where they avoid putting 1 blank CD (with a fancy label, but nonetheless worthless) in a fancy box and call it good..... A simple weight check would have shown this box weighed FAR less than it should have...

Sam

EDIT: There are several other possibilities that in my frustration I didn't even think of; this game just looks so cool and I was looking forward to a round today--but tomorrow's not too far.

 

[Psyringe]

Was the box still shrinkwrapped? Was the included CD on of the official CDs - what's printed on the CD?

There were several blunders by Take2, like mislabeled CDs. or french tech trees. (The latter seem to have been dealt with by now). However, what you describe sounds more like someone opening the package before and getting himself a present for christmas.

I hope your frustration doesn't keep you from playing an (imho) great game.

And ... erm ... I suggest changing the thread title in something less offensive, unless you want to instigate flame wars, but your post itself doesn't sound so.

 

[MrCynical]

This sounds more like someone nicking the contents of the box than Take 2's fault (though Take 2 have been responsible for many of the other problems and so could be considered to "suck" justifiably). By my understanding, wherever you got the game from they have no choice but to replace it, just as much as they would if you were sold a TV and were delivered a large box of packing material. Whatever their disclaimers or complaints about opened goods I think they have no choice but to replace it.

I can see how frustrating this is, but I wouldn't let it spoil Civ 4 for you. It is a good game once you get it. As for Firaxis getting a new publisher I would be only too pleased to see it, but as I understand it Take 2 now own them, so I don't think they will be parting company any time soon.

I agree with Psyringe that a change of thread title might be in order unless you want a thread full of (admittedly often justified) ranting about Take 2/2K games.

 

[ButSam]

True that...

The box wasn't shrinkwrapped, but that is not unusual for the smaller game boxes. It DID have the plastic seal-thingy that covers the top of the box to keep it from being opened without breaking the seal--and that seal was intact until I cracked it open just moments ago.

It very well could have been a "man in the middle" problem (or clever shoplifter or something)...and my wife did buy it in November I think--she said it was the first gift she got...so it would have been when it was new.

The CD says "Sid Meier's Civilization IV" on it (in all caps, in the logo-like form), with a picture of the colosseum, jet fighters, and a bunch of other juxtaposed buildings from several eras (mostly Roman and American), with a road down the middle. Have we been hoodwinked by a "greedy man in the middle"? I'm pretty sure my wife got it at Walmart, since it is close and where we usually get stuff like this at...wouldn't put it past them, or others in the middle...

Definitely don't want flame wars--will change the title; I was just very frustrated--mostly over it now...I just hope the store will take it back.......It's precisely that I look forward so much to playing this game that I was so frustrated in the first place. This game looks like it absolutely rocks--I have read up on it so much, and looked forward to putting it in the drive. Oh well--plenty of other ways to have fun, and tomorrow's only a day away

Sam

 

[EL_OSO]

I highly doubt it was any of the above mentioned vendors' faults for a botch up like this. Take2 probably contracts the production work outside of it's premises. I would be willing to bet that there was more than one manufacturing company involved in the process. The machinery involved in the printing and packaging industry is extremely expensive to own and operate and that is why I doubt that Take2 has their own printing company. I think it is safe to assume that one manufacturer printed the CDs and another one was involved in creating the box contents.

The biggest problem with the printing industry in the USA is it is overrun by illegal aliens that don't understand the English language. This is due to the capitalist pigs that run these companies don't want to pay more than 6 bucks an hour to package their goods. Given this type of environment all it takes is one individual to overlook or not understand what they are doing and a lack of quality control checks in place.

 

[Blazer6]

My tiny box had a card that showed some information with the manual and bug report sites. The tech tree is in English. I almost missed it being on the bottom and overshadowed by many boxes larger than two dictionaries.

 

[MattJek]

Just go to the vendor and exchange the game. I think a blank CD will void any of their "opened software" return policy... and yeah, you original title was not a good way to get members of this forum to give you help

 

[Haderach]

Whatever store it was from, it is not an uncommon problem for less honest people to do the following:

1. Buy a game, CD, DVD, or what not.
2. Their targets are usually the less well secured packages, such as items without shrinkwrap and all those really hard to remove labels/stickers.
3. Carefully remove stickers/seals so as to not damage them. Many methods for this.
4. Take everything out they want.
5. Reseal the box/container.
6. Return the item to the store empty, or in your case with a fake CD with a lavel.

This has happened in many major stores, such as Walmart and Best Buy. The stores are aware of this prevalent practise/thievery so they don't usually question someone who claims they got an empty case. My workmate has this exact thing happen to him with DVD's at Best Buy - He opened the package and there was no DVD in it.

I'm truly sorry to hear that this happened to you, ButSam, but I'm afraid both you (and your wife) and the store were victims of a petty crime. it was bad luck - don't let that discourage you from getting a return and playing this fantastic game.

Had

 

[ButSam]

UPDATE: I am sorry 2K Games for not thinking in my frustration and just lashing out an accusation. Having swapped it out at the store that sold us the illegal copy in the first place, I am totally convinced that SOMEONE (a middle man, or someone who purchased and returned the game before me) had conducted illegal activity--the cover on the disc was completely different from the true cover on the 2 discs in the real version. Anyway, all is well now--wonderful game!!!!! I am so addicted!!!!

 

[Glinka]

Unfortunately, there are always going to be unscrupulous folk working scams in stores everywhere. If you take home a game that isn't shrinkwrapped and seems light on expected content--especially if the game disk doesn't look right--contact the store, and be sure to get in touch with the manager to report this. They're not going to help you out of the altruism in their hearts, but because this kind of thing is very bad for business.

 

[Karl Townsend]

i was surprised when i got civ 4
bloody humungus manual

 

[Hilliar]

What a bunch of mindless drivel this thread is... the only response needed was, take it back to the mother f*ckers who sold you that piece of **** and expected you to let them off lightly, and give them hell.