"You may have multiple Spore accounts for each installation of the game" - Page 6

SteMot · 13-09-2008, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatfroggerx

Sounds like I have to buy a copy

or at least get someone to put scans up of it. Any reply from PC Gamer?

None as yet.

Talron · 13-09-2008, 01:10 AM

I have a brother and sister that wants to have their own individual Spore account, I pre-ordered the Galactic Edition of Spore thinking we would be able to have our own accounts, because I downloaded the manual and saw that little sentence over at the Sporepedia section of the manual "You may have multiple Spore accounts for each installation of the game", and now I really feel kind of ripped off by EA, we already invested more than 70 dollars on the GE, and now we would need to waste over 90 extra dollars to have 2 extra accounts, I have been trying to contact EA customer support regarding the issue, but all I get are stupid answers that have nothing to do with what I'm talking about... (By the way SteMot, did you read the PM I sent you some days ago? :P)

Well, I do hope they at least let people create 2-3 accounts per CD-Key, if they already have 3 installs limit, why not let people have some more accounts per activation?

AwkwardnBusy · 13-09-2008, 10:28 AM

Maybe all this negative press will have an effect. Grats on getting the magazine to take a look.

MistressPantera · 13-09-2008, 11:56 AM

I am also having the same issues as many of you, I bought the game for me, but my 2 sons also want to play, and well, with my username, its not very cool is it?!

However, I am thinking something here, in the UK we have the Sale of Goods act, whereby they need to abide by the description of the goods sold otherwise it is deliberately misleading the customer to buy a product that they may not have bought had they'd known it wasnt right for them. Many of us have bought SPORE under the premise that we ARE able to have multiple accounts for the one game (and another valid point - what if you change your email address?) there is no facility to cater for any of this, and therefore in effect we have been mislead by EA to buy a game that is not "fit for purpose" in a small, but significant way I believe.

I'm going to look into this a bit more, and then contact EA and see what they have to say on the matter.

BlackGarden87 · 13-09-2008, 12:22 PM

You are completely correct MistressPantera. And don't let them tell you that the manual is not a "trade description" - see my post on the previous page explaining why it is.
Of course, if it is genuinely a misprint, they can argue that it is a mistake (that is a legitimate defense) but they must either offer the service advertised to the customer, or give them a full refund, and they should have made a mass product recall when the mistake was discovered - not having done so is likely to get them in deep doodoos.

As a side note, I can't see why any limit needs to be imposed. All they need is to have some system whereby alarm bells start ringing when one copy of the game has hundreds of registrants all over the world...

MistressPantera · 13-09-2008, 02:27 PM

Indeed, you can see the purpose behind it with all these "I've lost me CD!" "I lost my registration code!" excuses that you get which are just a smokescreen to I have a pirate copy and cant get it to play

but i agree, there needs to be something in it for EA so that a set number of accounts can be set up say 6 to cover one household, with some way of being able to tell if that "household" apppears to have occupants in the UK, France, Japan and Paraguay

I fully understand their business interests, but not by misleading their customers, and expecting one family to by multiple copies at £30 a piece.

SteMot · 13-09-2008, 03:36 PM

I just received this e-mail from EA:-

Quote:

Hello Ste,

This is Canon again. I deeply apologise for the continued difficulties with the Spore game. There was a minor issue with the entitlement, which has now been fixed. You may now retry with logging in to your 'xxxx@xxxxx.com' account, you should now have the same privileges with the aforementioned account.

Regarding the screenshot you provided with the "conflicting" statement, this is not a mistaken statement as an account that already has Spore entitled to it should be able to make use of the said option. Since you now have two accounts with Spore entitlements, you may use the Logout feature as needed.

Best Regards,

Canon D.
Electronic Arts™ Customer Support

Indeed. I can now log on with two accounts as I needed in the first please.
I guess I should be happy, and I am, but I can't help feeling that if it can be done, why are they holding it back?
So if you do want multiple accounts, pester the **** out of EA and threaten them with Trading Standards etc, worked for me.

EDIT:- The funny thing is, I was getting on to Trading Standards this afternoon too, no reason too now.

EAUK_Aurora · 13-09-2008, 04:06 PM

Hi guys.

I just want to let you know that I am passing on your feelings and comments on this matter.

Caledorn · 13-09-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EAUK_Aurora

Hi guys.

I just want to let you know that I am passing on your feelings and comments on this matter.

Thank you very much Aurora! Know that at least I appreciate that you do this a lot!

BlackGarden87 · 13-09-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EAUK_Aurora

Hi guys.

I just want to let you know that I am passing on your feelings and comments on this matter.

That's great to know. It's really not an acceptable state of affairs as things stand, so I hope this will be resolved soon.
I have submitted a polite support ticket (which appears to have actually gone through this time! Hurrah! Previous tickets didn't show in my account) requesting that my partner and I have separate accounts which are both able to access the online features, so maybe my creations will finally stop showing up as "his" soon! It may seem like a small thing, but I don't want to have to keep on calling my partner over to put his password in so I can be "allowed" online.

knazzer · 13-09-2008, 06:44 PM

Seeing as i installed Spore on my younger brothers computer first & registered for him, then installed and unsuccessfully registered online on my PC, does that me i cannot download the patch when it comes out for my version?

Is there a way to un register my brothers account so i can get the patch etc?

flatfroggerx · 13-09-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knazzer

Seeing as i installed Spore on my younger brothers computer first & registered for him, then installed and unsuccessfully registered online on my PC, does that me i cannot download the patch when it comes out for my version?

Is there a way to un register my brothers account so i can get the patch etc?

You are stuck, once a key is tied to an account EA will NOT revoke it. You can patch your game but you still won't have only features. Nothing can stop you downloading a patch an applying it

DarthIrishGuy · 13-09-2008, 07:33 PM

If ye haven't seen guys, there are people on the spore.com forums who have contacted EA and can now use more than one account.

So ya, it's a bug it seems

flatfroggerx · 14-09-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthIrishGuy

If ye haven't seen guys, there are people on the spore.com forums who have contacted EA and can now use more than one account.

So ya, it's a bug it seems

Really? No one here has had any luck, I'm sure one of the staff members would of posted too if it was really allowed. Reading that thread only 1 person has managed it after a long trail of emails and there was a bit more to the story. I don't think there is any solid solution in place as lots more people in both this and that thread are stuck.

I doubt it is a bug. Its EA corporate greed, why else would they say the manual is a mistake? why else would they say its not possible? People caught EA out on this and theyre taking heavy flak for it. Its a ticking time bomb before someone calls them out on it and hits them with a lawsuit.

dodoman · 14-09-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EAUK_Aurora

Hi guys.

I just want to let you know that I am passing on your feelings and comments on this matter.

THANK YOU!!!!!
I am currently installing the game, and hope it will run smoothly.

theowldave · 14-09-2008, 12:46 PM

I have exactly the same problem. I have sent 2 sperate questions to EA support regarding this to which I have had no answer to either. The first being over a week ago.

I'm very dissappointed in the customer support offered and the lack of any answers being provided.

I bought the game on the premice that myself and my partner would both be able to play the game. if I was aware that we couldn't I wouldn't have spent £40 on it.

My last correspondence (sent today) gave 24 hours for a response before I raise a complaint.

I think the lack of any explanation from EA is a total disgrace and shows a lack of respect for the customers that pay their wages!

SteMot · 14-09-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theowldave

I have exactly the same problem. I have sent 2 sperate questions to EA support regarding this to which I have had no answer to either. The first being over a week ago.

I'm very dissappointed in the customer support offered and the lack of any answers being provided.

I bought the game on the premice that myself and my partner would both be able to play the game. if I was aware that we couldn't I wouldn't have spent £40 on it.

My last correspondence (sent today) gave 24 hours for a response before I raise a complaint.

I think the lack of any explanation from EA is a total disgrace and shows a lack of respect for the customers that pay their wages!

Threaten them, it's the only language they understand, Trading standards would have a field day with this, both the game and the manual state multiple accounts are possible, they probably know they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.
Make sure you follow through with the threats if they don't comply though, I was 3 hours away from getting in touch with trading standards when they sorted mine out (after I finished work).
Let them know your not happy.

Sporescore · 14-09-2008, 01:05 PM

Have you tried downloading the creature creator trial and creating an new account to a different e-mail address then logging on to spore?

Tell me if it works cus i will try aswell but my interenet is slow

BlackGarden87 · 14-09-2008, 01:35 PM

Can anyone from EA help me with this?
I attempted to send in a support request with regards to this account issue but now the question isn't listed in my account. This is the third time I've tried to send a support request about the same thing and the ticket disappeared every time. I have my number saved on my computer so I hope somebody can look this up for me.

EAUK_Aurora · 14-09-2008, 01:38 PM

BlackGarden, please could you PM me your incident number so that I can get this looked into for you?

theowldave · 14-09-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EAUK_Aurora

BlackGarden, please could you PM me your incident number so that I can get this looked into for you?

Hi,

Both my questions raised do not show on my account either, but are shown if I follow the link from the email. I will PM you my incident number.

Miikel · 15-09-2008, 08:27 AM

SteMot, nice one well done. im happy for you that you got this sorted, altho it kinda sucks that EA are now making exceptions, allowing certain users access to the features and not others. EAUK_Aurora i have a support ticket, number 080912-004128, that is for this issue too. My sons want to play online earning their own achievements (seriously, why cant they earn these while playing offline??) and getting peoples content etc... They are unhappy that they are unable to.

BurntEffigy · 15-09-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sporescore

Have you tried downloading the creature creator trial and creating an new account to a different e-mail address then logging on to spore?

Tell me if it works cus i will try aswell but my interenet is slow

Yes, I tried this - Installed Creature Creator on my 2nd PC, registered a new account in my sons name - that all went ok

When I tried to login to the full Spore game on the family PC with my sons Spore account, EA says that it will link this registration to the new Spore ID (on which I say Yes) - EA then says that it cannot link the account as the game is already linked to another user ID.

So no, it doesn't work.

flatfroggerx · 15-09-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurntEffigy

Yes, I tried this - Installed Creature Creator on my 2nd PC, registered a new account in my sons name - that all went ok

When I tried to login to the full Spore game on the family PC with my sons Spore account, EA says that it will link this registration to the new Spore ID (on which I say Yes) - EA then says that it cannot link the account as the game is already linked to another user ID.

So no, it doesn't work.

I don't think the CC had a "serial key" in the same sense that spore does and therefore it can be tied to whatever account. I don't think there is a limit on it, however it would be interesting if there was and it was 3. It might be left over signs that spore was meant to have multiple accounts in line with the activations.

flatfroggerx · 15-09-2008, 06:02 PM

And so, it hits the gaming blogs: Spore: Spore Only Allows One Account, Even If You're Playing With Family

13-09-2008, 11:56 AM	#129 (permalink)
MistressPantera Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lancashire Age: 35 Posts: 173	Something I will look into I am also having the same issues as many of you, I bought the game for me, but my 2 sons also want to play, and well, with my username, its not very cool is it?! However, I am thinking something here, in the UK we have the Sale of Goods act, whereby they need to abide by the description of the goods sold otherwise it is deliberately misleading the customer to buy a product that they may not have bought had they'd known it wasnt right for them. Many of us have bought SPORE under the premise that we ARE able to have multiple accounts for the one game (and another valid point - what if you change your email address?) there is no facility to cater for any of this, and therefore in effect we have been mislead by EA to buy a game that is not "fit for purpose" in a small, but significant way I believe. I'm going to look into this a bit more, and then contact EA and see what they have to say on the matter. __________________ AKA Claire

13-09-2008, 02:27 PM	#131 (permalink)
MistressPantera Rookie Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lancashire Age: 35 Posts: 173	Indeed, you can see the purpose behind it with all these "I've lost me CD!" "I lost my registration code!" excuses that you get which are just a smokescreen to I have a pirate copy and cant get it to play but i agree, there needs to be something in it for EA so that a set number of accounts can be set up say 6 to cover one household, with some way of being able to tell if that "household" apppears to have occupants in the UK, France, Japan and Paraguay I fully understand their business interests, but not by misleading their customers, and expecting one family to by multiple copies at £30 a piece. __________________ AKA Claire

13-09-2008, 04:06 PM	#133 (permalink)
EAUK_Aurora Community Representative Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Gender: Female Posts: 55,632 Blog Entries: 259	Hi guys. I just want to let you know that I am passing on your feelings and comments on this matter. __________________ Aurora Community Representative Electronic Arts View past Signature Showcase entries Currently playing The Sims 3 and Brutal Legend Looking forward to The Sims 3 World Adventures

14-09-2008, 12:46 PM	#141 (permalink)
theowldave Rookie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7	Same Problem I have exactly the same problem. I have sent 2 sperate questions to EA support regarding this to which I have had no answer to either. The first being over a week ago. I'm very dissappointed in the customer support offered and the lack of any answers being provided. I bought the game on the premice that myself and my partner would both be able to play the game. if I was aware that we couldn't I wouldn't have spent £40 on it. My last correspondence (sent today) gave 24 hours for a response before I raise a complaint. I think the lack of any explanation from EA is a total disgrace and shows a lack of respect for the customers that pay their wages!

14-09-2008, 01:38 PM	#145 (permalink)
EAUK_Aurora Community Representative Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Gender: Female Posts: 55,632 Blog Entries: 259	BlackGarden, please could you PM me your incident number so that I can get this looked into for you? __________________ Aurora Community Representative Electronic Arts View past Signature Showcase entries Currently playing The Sims 3 and Brutal Legend Looking forward to The Sims 3 World Adventures

13-09-2008, 01:10 AM	#127 (permalink)
Talron Rookie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	I have a brother and sister that wants to have their own individual Spore account, I pre-ordered the Galactic Edition of Spore thinking we would be able to have our own accounts, because I downloaded the manual and saw that little sentence over at the Sporepedia section of the manual "You may have multiple Spore accounts for each installation of the game", and now I really feel kind of ripped off by EA, we already invested more than 70 dollars on the GE, and now we would need to waste over 90 extra dollars to have 2 extra accounts, I have been trying to contact EA customer support regarding the issue, but all I get are stupid answers that have nothing to do with what I'm talking about... (By the way SteMot, did you read the PM I sent you some days ago? :P) Well, I do hope they at least let people create 2-3 accounts per CD-Key, if they already have 3 installs limit, why not let people have some more accounts per activation?

13-09-2008, 10:28 AM	#128 (permalink)
AwkwardnBusy Rookie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 7	Maybe all this negative press will have an effect. Grats on getting the magazine to take a look.

13-09-2008, 12:22 PM	#130 (permalink)
BlackGarden87 Super Simmer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Age: 22 Gender: Female Posts: 352	You are completely correct MistressPantera. And don't let them tell you that the manual is not a "trade description" - see my post on the previous page explaining why it is. Of course, if it is genuinely a misprint, they can argue that it is a mistake (that is a legitimate defense) but they must either offer the service advertised to the customer, or give them a full refund, and they should have made a mass product recall when the mistake was discovered - not having done so is likely to get them in deep doodoos. As a side note, I can't see why any limit needs to be imposed. All they need is to have some system whereby alarm bells start ringing when one copy of the game has hundreds of registrants all over the world...

13-09-2008, 06:44 PM	#136 (permalink)
knazzer Rookie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2	Seeing as i installed Spore on my younger brothers computer first & registered for him, then installed and unsuccessfully registered online on my PC, does that me i cannot download the patch when it comes out for my version? Is there a way to un register my brothers account so i can get the patch etc?

13-09-2008, 07:33 PM	#138 (permalink)
DarthIrishGuy Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 29	If ye haven't seen guys, there are people on the spore.com forums who have contacted EA and can now use more than one account. So ya, it's a bug it seems

14-09-2008, 01:05 PM	#143 (permalink)
Sporescore Rookie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 155	Have you tried downloading the creature creator trial and creating an new account to a different e-mail address then logging on to spore? Tell me if it works cus i will try aswell but my interenet is slow

14-09-2008, 01:35 PM	#144 (permalink)
BlackGarden87 Super Simmer Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, UK Age: 22 Gender: Female Posts: 352	Can anyone from EA help me with this? I attempted to send in a support request with regards to this account issue but now the question isn't listed in my account. This is the third time I've tried to send a support request about the same thing and the ticket disappeared every time. I have my number saved on my computer so I hope somebody can look this up for me.

15-09-2008, 08:27 AM	#147 (permalink)
Miikel Rookie Join Date: Sep 2008 Age: 37 Posts: 91	SteMot, nice one well done. im happy for you that you got this sorted, altho it kinda sucks that EA are now making exceptions, allowing certain users access to the features and not others. EAUK_Aurora i have a support ticket, number 080912-004128, that is for this issue too. My sons want to play online earning their own achievements (seriously, why cant they earn these while playing offline??) and getting peoples content etc... They are unhappy that they are unable to.

15-09-2008, 06:02 PM	#150 (permalink)
flatfroggerx Forum Junkie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,949	And so, it hits the gaming blogs: Spore: Spore Only Allows One Account, Even If You're Playing With Family __________________ *No longer buying any EA PC game which includes Limited Activations, I do NOT* endorse Limited Activations Opt for Securom Activation FREE versions of EA games through fairer services like steam**