Mike Norton

Many know I have left World of Warcraft for the time being while I wait for the next expansion.  In the meantime I have been playing Runes of Magic.  I am enjoying it more than I thought I would until I the cash shop and real money exchange issue have presented itself as highly disappointing.

On Sunday, June 27th, I purchased two Ultimate Game Cards at $20 each from GameStop.  I redeemed them that afternoon jumping through many hoops and steps only to be taken to another companies web page. I landed on PlaySpan.com.  Apparently the cards must be redeemed with a company that at first thoughts felt like I had walked into the bad side of town where all the windows and shop fronts where run by rejects for the old geocities days.  I could not help but to check the lower right of my win 7 install to make sure my security software was active.  But I digress. 

When I exchanged my two cards for the companies Up Points I then began my purchase of Runes of Magic diamonds.  Oddly enough you can not purchase the exact amount of diamonds for the money you invested for the cards.  This overage is understandable as a way the company makes a profit, but still seedy and less than honest.  With my $40 turned into points I was able to place an order for 1000 diamonds. 

Once the transaction was in process it took me to an frame that linked to the Frogster account management site, the company that runs Runes of Magic in the states.  I inputted my order and was offered with the option to apply 21 diamonds to my account.  21!  Not 1000!  21!  I thought how odd that was, but once I got into game sure enough, I had only been credited 21 diamonds when I paid for 1000. 

Then the HUGE frustration set in.  I am used to working with a company that has an actual phone number to contact, IE Blizzard.  When I logged into PlaySpan to try and resolve this issue I was only give the option to use an online ticket system, for which only automatic responsive have been issued. . And the best news it. . wait 24 to 72 hours. 

24 to 72 hours for something that should work?  72 hours!!!!   I decided to lay out $40 so i could take benefit of the cash shop in game.  To be honest the PayPal method works without flaw, but they have locked diamonds purchased with PayPal or credit card so you can not trade or gift items.  The whole reason for the two cards where so I could gift permanent mounts to my wife and daughters toons. . . Now I sit at the 1st with no mounts, no diamonds, and out $40!

But I rant. . . and sorry for such a rant.

I do believe F2P games have a lot to offer and can be very successful.  I am looking forward to LotRO’s F2P offerings and how the community will grow. . and knowing Turbine, issues like this should not be evident, I hope.

For me, I feel burned, and disappointed.  It is making it hard for me to want to log in, and that affects my guild mates.  I just hope soon something gets resolved.

Thanks to you all if you made it this far in this rant.  If anything can be taken from this, if you use cards to purchase items use only company cards and not these third party cash cards which in the end make you feel as if you should wash your hands after handling them.