ORIGINAL: Gary Childress
ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
I enjoy using Steam. It's essentially almost a one stop shop - and does have some great deals. I'm by no means a lover of it - but it suits my purpose.
What I would say though is the Matrix system is somewhat flawed. The transition from Digital River to Plimus was meant to be (and on the surface seemed to be) a good thing for us. As is, I'm not entirely sure how I can re-download a game I purchased should I have to and in fact cannot (and have never been able to) get the details of a game
I would look at the option to re-download games as a "perk" not an entitlement. Once you own a game you should be responsible enough to maintain the existence of your copy. Order a physical copy as I do. I still DL the game and play on the spot but I also have that magical thing called a "backup" when I lose my HD. I'm sure it costs matrix money to maintain order histories and everything to facilitate redownloading of games. Be happy the option exists at all.
You know what? I did have a hard copy. I did have a digital download on my main PC....I just went to Holland "thinking" it was on my laptop - and it wasn't. That isn't Matrix fault...it's mine...my point is, had it been a Steam game I would have downloaded it and installed it within seconds....I had to wait for Matrix Support to get back to me...which I admit wasn't a massive inconvenience - but an inconvenience none-the-less.
I've already said here and elsewhere that it's not their responsibility to store peoples downloads and allow them to re-download adhoc....but it would be a bloody nice to have - especially from a company that apparently prides itself in it's customer support. Hell - I can't even view an order I made from Matrix for Plimus through Paypal!!! Really?
Surely it's not a big deal to ask to allow me to log onto Plimus and view my orders....seems it is as I could not because I paid via Paypal....and as for the re-download issue...I'm not the only one to suffer from the fact that I cannot log into my account and download the game I bought a year ago...
Sorry - before I get accused of whining - can anyone else who has paid for their games via paypal able to view their orders through Plimus? It is NOT possible and that is not acceptable.
God forbid your download is ever corrupted and you find yourself with a DVD that will not install - the point being is we can all be caught short.
If Steam where to go bye bye then I really wouldn't have lost out....their games (and the ones I've bought) are either cheap or games I'm not really bothered about losing. Matrix Games on the other hand charge a premium for their games and I expect to be able to play them in the near and distant future...so for me there is a different perception between the providers....Steam go belly up, I cry not a jot...Matrix go belly up, I cry a lot
The added bonus with Matrix is they do not have to be there when I want to play. Although with their current system, I would need to contact someone for my order - becuase I paid by paypal and whilst that is an accepted method of payment, it's not allowed on their website when viewing your orders!
BUT they COULD go one step further by providing the users with the ability to re-download their orders as well as allowing downloads as and when required - without the need for customer support - and allowing users who paid via Paypal to view their orders....