My copy of Splinter Cell: Blacklist came with an invalid CD Key

Last Saturday was gloomy. It wasn't raining as hard but I still had that feeling to bunker down for the weekend with a brand new title to tackle. But thanks to my cd key being invalid, I was unable to play my copy of Splinter Cell: Blacklist for 4 days.

I headed to the mall, decided on the PC version of Splinter Cell blacklist and rushed home. After installation, I opened my bag of chips, got myself comfortable and as soon as i typed in the cd key included in the case - invalid cd key. I tried again, 10 more times and nothing. It felt like the dreaded error 37 from Diablo 3 was haunting me again, preventing me from playing a game I've been waiting for a long time. I couldn't register my copy! I've double checked my cd key input, did it slowly, heck even asked a friend to try it for me. Nothing.

It was disappointing, my plans to go all out on the weekend was somewhat ruined. this was my first experience of having a problem with a game 's cd key. why do we still have these kinds of problems?

I then called Datablitz for answers, and what I found out got me troubled. As I was explaining my issue, the clerk stopped me mid sentence and asked me if I got any text message from them? I told them no since I haven't given them my cell number. She thought I was the previous caller a few hours ago complaining about the same problem. Two other people apparently was given invalid cd keys for the pc version of splinter cell blacklist.

Why is this troubling? Because they had copies in their shelves with invalid keys, ready for anybody to pick up. No matter what, it's still an inconvenience. since it's a weekend, the Datablitz clerk said a fix can only be done on Monday (it was Saturday when I called). Nothing could be done. I sucked it up and just stayed patient, assassins creed 3 needs finishing anyway.

as days went by, Datablitz was kind enough though to give me updates in the matter, but with not much detail. Everytime I headed to my pc, my copy of splinter cell blacklist was just there, I just had to find a way to get it working. What can I say, im stubborn that way.

So off I go to the Ubisoft forums to find people with similar issues. It took awhile but I eventually found a thread about it, and the people posting on the thread was interesting.

It was mostly pinoys complaining about the same thing. It's obvious at this point that more than three people who were affected. I wasn't  able to find a fix from this two page thread , but A Ubisoft rep did reply at least, but with the most basic and safe answer:

But don't get me wrong,  only a handful is affected by this. A friend of mine confirmed that his cd key worked and he bought the game the same day I did, but from a different Datablitz branch. The best guess I have to why this happened is there was a bunch of keys not yet activated.

four days later, Datablitz asked me to try my key again and thankfully it registered. I replied asking why was the problem, but of course no response after I've confirmed that my key was good.

What I don't get is why doesn't Datablitz bother to verify their products? Why is there an everyday customer support? Your telling me that when I buy a game on the weekends and I have an issue, my concern will only be processed on Monday? That doesn't seem right. I have this gut feeling that there's a miscommunication with Ubisoft and the suppliers. Hopefully everybody affected was also able to resolve the same issue. For those that haven't? Call them. Annoy the hell out of them. Believe me, it will get things moving faster.

Datablitz has always been my number one choice for picking up video games, but when it comes to pc games? I might have to pass for now.

Watch Dogs gets a 14-minute gameplay walkthrough video

Lately, Ubisoft has been quiet with regards to their upcoming IP Watch Dogs. I actually lost my excitement for this game thanks to all the E3 buzz and next-gen talk. A new video was released showing a 14-minute gameplay walking through the dynamic events that takes place in the world. But the one aspect of this video that kinda placed Watch Dogs back into my radar has to be their multiplayer beingsomewhat integrated into the single player campaign. You'll know what I mean when you check the video below.

I can already see the many trolls that will show up in this game. Watch Dogs is a launch title for both the Xbox One (November 22) and PS4 (November 15), but it will also be available on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and of course PC on November 19.  I might just pick up the PC version of the game. It does spark my interest, but I have this gut feeling that this won't be as good as everybody is expecting it to be.

Mighty No. 9 - Kickstarter Project by Mega Man Creator Keiji Inafune

Keiji Inafune, father of Rockman/Mega Man finally announced a new game that he and his new company Comcept is working on. What most people and even Inafune himself is saying as the spiritual successor of Mega Man, Might No. 9 looks like something to get excited about.

Announced at PAX this past weekend, Mighty No. 9 is a Kickstarter project by Inafune. With a goal of $900,000, Mighty No. 9 is said to be the classic Japanese side-scrolling acount we all loved but evolved.

From Kickstarter Page:

Classic Japanese side-scrolling action, evolved and transformed by Keiji Inafune, an all-star team of veteran Mega Man devs...and YOU!

Mighty No. 9 is an all-new Japanese side-scrolling action game that takes the best aspects of the 8- and 16-bit era classics you know and love, and transforms them with modern tech, fresh mechanics, and fan input into something fresh and amazing!

You play as Beck, the 9th in a line of powerful robots, and the only one not infected by a mysterious computer virus that has caused mechanized creatures the world over to go berserk. Run, jump, blast, and transform your way through six stages (or more, via stretch goals) you can tackle in any order you choose, using weapons and abilities stolen from your enemies to take down your fellow Mighty Number robots and confront the final evil that threatens the planet!

Every aspect of development—art, level design, music, programming, etc.—is being handled by veteran Japanese game creators with extensive experience in the genre, and with Mega Man in particular, all the way up to and including the project’s leader, Keiji Inafune himself! Backers will have unprecedented access to seeing this team at work through blogs, podcasts, videos, concept art—the works!

Mighty No. 9 is being developed for the PC with gamepad support (of course!), and will be made available through Steam and DRM-free digital distribution methods. Other platforms, including home consoles, Mac, and Linux, are a high priority, but only if we can afford them via stretch goals. Should we reach those goals, anyone funding the project will be allowed to choose which version of the game they would like to receive. The estimated release date is spring 2015.

Crowdfunding is the new thing with developers right now. But even this still falls in with the old tradition of Mega Man game development where in people would send their robot designs to Capcom to be added into the games. In all shapes and forms, from the art design, supposed gameplay style and audience involvement, this could very well be a true spiritual successor to the blue bomber. As of this post, they have reached $981,184 and with 29 days to go. I am very excited for this.

XCOM: Enemy Within ‘War Machines’ trailer shows each sides getting upgrades

2K games and Firaxis released a new trailer for XCOM: Enemy Unknown's upcoming expansion named XCOM: Enemy Within.  When it was revealed, we got a small tease, now we get to see what's in store for us in this major expansion.

XCOM: Enemy Within brings back the meaning of major expansion with all this new content added into the original game. The expansion will include 47 new maps, new weapons, new alien units to go against, a new resource to scavenge, and the ability to alter your soldiers genes to become more effective in combat.

XCOM: Enemy Within will be out on November 12, 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Gearbox Software finally releasing a Borderlands 2 Game of the Year Edition

Always wanted a copy of Borderlands 2? Don't buy it! wait for this, get your money's worth, because Gearbox Software has finally announced Borderlands 2's Game of the Year Edition which gives all the DLC released up to this point. Gearbox Software head Randy Pitchford regarding the Game of the Year Edition:

“For us and for fans, the love for Borderlands 2 has been nothing short of spectacular, so it's natural for us here at Gearbox Software to want everyone else to have a chance to experience the best-selling game and its most valuable expansion content," said Randy Pitchford, President of Gearbox Software. “The Borderlands 2 Game of the Year Edition offers more value than ever before in one package, giving everyone an opportunity to become a legendary Vault Hunter, and join in the award-winning mayhem and fun."

The Game of the Year Edition contains all DLC released so far, that means all the story content, skins, and character classes. Here's the official list of items in the bundle:

• Borderlands 2 Main Game
• Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty
• Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage
• Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt
• Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep
• Creature Slaughter Dome
• Premiere Club Content:
  • Gaige, the Mechromancer Character Class
  • Gearbox Gun Pack
  • Golden Key
  • Vault Hunter's Relic
• Krieg, the Psycho Character Class
• Collector’s Edition Heads and Skins
• Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 1

Support for Borderlands 2 hasn't stop. Gearbox will be releasing the Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 2 at the beginning of September which increases the level cap yet again by 11. More DLC is also in the works but has yet to be revealed.

Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition will be out in the US on October 8, with an international release on October 11 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

[Source: Gearbox Software]