Physical Imperial Edition (from GameStop) missing Imperial and explorer codes

Nalerian

I have a call request pending with customer service... but that is going to take "an unknown amount of time" to get a return call (I wonder why they are so busy!!).

Anyone else have a problem where the physical Imperial Edition is missing the codes for "Imperial Edition Exclusive Code" and "Explorer's Pack Code"? I have the slip that they should be printed on and the boxes are labelled, but the boxes are empty (white) other than the labels.

I was able to register my "Game Registration Code" on the back of the warranty pamphlet but oddly, it was flagged as a "digital standard edition."

Maestro_Sartori

That would be normal until you register the Imperial edition code and the explorer pack code which is obvious you don't have..

Are you sure they aren't the kind you scratch off?

Nalerian

I don't think you understand what I am saying. It is not scratch off and they are not printed where they should be (according to their labels). I also don't have any other codes on anything else...

Maestro_Sartori

Well just make a support ticket then and or call Gamestop. About the only thing you can do...

Demonbunny

Not scratch off, simply missing.

rdesja202b16_ESO

It was my understanding that the pre-order codes (given to you by Gamestop) for the Imperial Edition once entered would auto give you the perks via ingame mail once you entered the official Imperial edition CD Code. As, many of us (who bought the physical copy from Gamestop) who played during 5 day early release did not have access to ALL the goodies until we entered that main CD code today. I may be totally wrong nor can I confirm it as I will not open my box until they sort the pre-charging of your CC or bank account. Otherwise back to the store it will go.

Maestro_Sartori

rdesja202b16_ESO wrote: »

It was my understanding that the pre-order codes (given to you by Gamestop) for the Imperial Edition once entered would auto give you the perks via ingame mail once you entered the official Imperial edition CD Code. As, many of us (who bought the physical copy from Gamestop) who played during 5 day early release did not have access to ALL the goodies until we entered that main CD code today. I may be totally wrong nor can I confirm it as I will not open my box until they sort the pre-charging of your CC or bank account. Otherwise back to the store it will go.

No thats not the case, I have codes on mine, that one got in there without any codes being printed on it....

VelJharig

Yes, I've had this same issue, and have a ticket open with support. My household got two physical Imperial Editions. One had all the normal codes printed as expected. The other had the game registration code, but the Imperial Edition and Explorer's pack codes are blank, as if they were never printed on the card.

Tech support person that I talked to had never heard of the issue before, and he's now escalated it internally after I showed him a picture. We had some back-and-forth about whether it should be returned to the store for them to deal with... which makes no sense, as there aren't extra physical Imperial Editions editions available to exchange for, and the issue is entirely a Zenimax issue (the codes are inside the sealed box Zenimax delivered to the retailer).

I think the easiest solution would be for them to simply invalidate the game registration code that came with the box, and then issue that account a digital Imperial Edition. After all, we have all the physical stuff... we're just missing the digital items.

rdesja202b16_ESO

OK, thanks for the update.

This happened to me once and it was a nightmare to get it solved (had to go back to the store and negotiate but it clearly was not a me fault) but when it finally did get resolved, I insisted they open the new box and "witness" in front of me that there were codes indeed included in the newer box. That is my suggestion on this my friend if it get resolves the same way. Open it in front of the sales clerk.....

Sakiri

rdesja202b16_ESO wrote: »

OK, thanks for the update.

This happened to me once and it was a nightmare to get it solved (had to go back to the store and negotiate but it clearly was not a me fault) but when it finally did get resolved, I insisted they open the new box and "witness" in front of me that there were codes indeed included in the newer box. That is my suggestion on this my friend if it get resolves the same way. Open it in front of the sales clerk.....

Good luck with that for most people. There just *aren't* physical IEs to go around.

I go pick mine up tomorrow. I'll be fuming if there's no code on it.

DeinosATL

My purchase from GameStop has messed up my experience, tho slightly different. I ordered the Imperial Edition and they didn't send my Early Access code; when I called they were out of the 5-day, so they gave me a 3-day because that's "all they had left". Of course, now that 3-day code is on my account, and I have DID get a printed Imperial Edition Code in my box, but the system won't recognize it because it says I need the Imperial Edition game (which I have). GameStop has been a disaster for me with this purchase and I won't be using them again for any game releases, again.

Sakiri

DeinosATL wrote: »

My purchase from GameStop has messed up my experience, tho slightly different. I ordered the Imperial Edition and they didn't send my Early Access code; when I called they were out of the 5-day, so they gave me a 3-day because that's "all they had left". Of course, now that 3-day code is on my account, and I have DID get a printed Imperial Edition Code in my box, but the system won't recognize it because it says I need the Imperial Edition game (which I have). GameStop has been a disaster for me with this purchase and I won't be using them again for any game releases, again.

That's BS because from what I gathered, the IE 5 day codes were all the same code.

darkmaderb14_ESO

Didn't even open mine yet and i have 2 copies of Col Edition The Big box ones
ill see how the launch goes till Sunday for me.

Just trying to Support the Game..

If i dont like how it goes ill be selling them and will post

cheers

slander36

Same issue here. Ordered two boxed IE copies from Amazon, one showed up with Game Registration Code but no Imperial Edition code or Explorers Pack code. Just sent in a ticket but they are being flooded with requests right now. They've been good about everything else so far, in terms of addressing strange issues like this (+2 days to free early access, stuff like that) so I'm hoping there will be an announcement about this before too long.

DeinosATL

DeinosATL wrote: »

My purchase from GameStop has messed up my experience, tho slightly different. I ordered the Imperial Edition and they didn't send my Early Access code; when I called they were out of the 5-day, so they gave me a 3-day because that's "all they had left". Of course, now that 3-day code is on my account, and I have DID get a printed Imperial Edition Code in my box, but the system won't recognize it because it says I need the Imperial Edition game (which I have). GameStop has been a disaster for me with this purchase and I won't be using them again for any game releases, again.

Serve me a plate of crow, s'il vous plait. It seems that in my haste to register my Imperial Edition code, I neglected to see the other paper pamphlet in the box with a Game Registration Code. I entered that, completed the subscription information, and then added my Imperial Edition Code, and it accepted. My apologies for maligning GameStop and Zenimax on this user error issue. Though I'm still irked about their not sending me the proper early access code.

Nalerian

Has anyone (that actually has the blank codes from physical edition) gotten this resolved in a satisfactory way? Suggestions of exchanging it at Gamestop are not helpful...

starkerealm

eq2imora_ESO wrote: »

DeinosATL wrote: »

My purchase from GameStop has messed up my experience, tho slightly different. I ordered the Imperial Edition and they didn't send my Early Access code; when I called they were out of the 5-day, so they gave me a 3-day because that's "all they had left". Of course, now that 3-day code is on my account, and I have DID get a printed Imperial Edition Code in my box, but the system won't recognize it because it says I need the Imperial Edition game (which I have). GameStop has been a disaster for me with this purchase and I won't be using them again for any game releases, again.

That's BS because from what I gathered, the IE 5 day codes were all the same code.

No, they weren't. I handled two 5 day codes (one for myself and one for my girlfriend), they were unique.

Though, it does sound like typical GameStop BS. I used to live near a store where the manager would gut physical copies and give out the bonus crap in them to friends. I had a friend who's Oblivion CE only had the game disks and NOTHING else. (No coin, no guidebook, no map.)

starkerealm

Nalerian wrote: »

Has anyone (that actually has the blank codes from physical edition) gotten this resolved in a satisfactory way? Suggestions of exchanging it at Gamestop are not helpful...

Not ESO, but I got a physical copy of XCOM with a blank insert for the in box DLC back when that released. I ended up going round and round with 2k Support for over a month.

The any race/any alliance thing seems to be tied to the head start key, so you should have that. The rest isn't time sensitive and can probably be dealt with through support. Imperials and the horse were tied to the 5 day key (I think), and I honestly don't know if the retail key will give you those or not. The Scuttler and Maps are tied to the Explorer Pack key, but, as far as I know, those aren't really time sensitive. So long as support doesn't say, "no, you can't have the explorer pack code because we're past launch," it should work out.

ty.everitt_ESO

Exact same scenario here, except I bought through a different retailer. Just put in a callback request. Got the game registration code, no imperial or explorer codes.

Most stores have a no-return policy on open-software as well, unless it is defective. So I could try exchanging it, but the likelihood of the store having an extra is almost non-existent.

Sakiri

Not having a key sure as hell is defective.

Demonbunny

Nalerian wrote: »

Has anyone (that actually has the blank codes from physical edition) gotten this resolved in a satisfactory way? Suggestions of exchanging it at Gamestop are not helpful...

I finally got a response wanting me to check if the codes where coverd in silver, and needed to be scratched away.

I replied that, No, it's just blank and then replied with an attachment pic of the blank codes.

then have not heard anything for 5+ hours, submited a new ticket just now.

Demonbunny

ok after submitting a new ticket, got a new response....

this:

Greetings!

Thank you for contacting The Elder Scrolls Online Team.

We are sorry this has happened to you but I have to regrettably inform you that since you bought the physical edition from another retailer there is nothing that we can do about this. You would have to contact who you bought the game from.

You can find more information about The Elder Scrolls Online on our website and social channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+).

Thank you for your continued interest and support!

Warm Regards,

Luke Griggs

---

So now that GS is closed (since it took 12 total hours to get this response) I get to go in tommarow, just to have GS say there is nothing they can do about it either, and the run around blame game will begin.

Fun.

wildtrky

I pre ordered the collectors imperial edition from game stop and picked it up today 4/4/14 and its missing the redeem codes for the bonus content that was supposed to come with the imperial collectors edition. Also when i used the game registration code that came in the collectors box set, I received a notification saying "Congratulations you registered your retail edition of the Digital Standard Edition of the game and activation of your subscription plan. Get ready to begin your adventures in Tamriel." I was under the impression that when I spent $100 plus tax on this game I was receiving the deluxe version of the game with bonus content, not the standard edition. I would really appreciate some help understanding this issue, and or a solution to the problem. I'm glad im not the only person having this issue.

Nalerian

My ticket is being "escalated" to various departments... At one point it was suggested that I go back to Gamestop and discuss my issue with them. I pointed out the futility in that course of action, but the suggestion stood. At least (for me) they are currently escalating this issue through their support system. Hope this is resolved tomorrow. I will be quite grumpy if I go to log in on Sunday and I'm locked out of my main (as he is an Imperial).

Valethar

I generally avoid GameStop because they have a bad habit of dipping into boxes to take things out, then giving you the 'tough sh*t' runaround when you call them on it.

I had two SWTOR CE's that were missing their registration codes. GS refused to do anything about it, even when I pointed out that the packaging had been opened before I picked it up from them. Fortunately for me BioWare stepped up and took care of it. It turns out I wasn't the only one that had that problem, the forums there were full of people who had run into the same thing.

All of them from GameStop.

They were even in the news in 2011 because they got caught opening packages and removing the inserts for the Deus Ex OnLive codes.

I'm hoping when my copy arrives on Monday that it actually has everything in it like it should have. Since Amazon hosed me, I didn't have much choice but to get it from GS while they still had some available.

Nalerian

To be clear and fair to Gamestop, the card was in the sealed box, it was just blank where the codes should have been printed. I don't think anyone tampered with the internals of my product, aside from a manufacturing error.

Rylanor

It is a manufacturing issue. Isn't it? I had a faulty code once, Game wouldn't do anything, JoWood did after a few months. Waste of money in that case.

Once you've sent them a scan of the missing code on the paper, support should be the ones to support. I'd be writing to the head office of whoever it legally falls to, which I think is Zenimax as they make the thing? Whoever is in charge of making the game, after all? Because support shouldn't be giving anyone the brush off for their own blatant mistake. Passing the buck is not on.

The retail store should also, if they have any care for customers, or just their reputation, exchange the box and confirm by opening it that the code is there, and then not mind if you have to return it due to a faulty disk for example. Well, in an ideal world.

raziel07

I'm on the same boat, I ordered from amazon and have the game registration code but my explorers pack and imperial edition exclusive code are blank.

edit: on the phone w/ amazon. it's some woman who literally has no idea what i'm talking about..

VelJharig

Mine was also in a sealed, untampered Imperial Edition box. If you check Reddit, there are other Amazon, Gamestop, and a third unspecified retailer where a small portion of customers have this problem when they open the physical Imperial Edition. The cards containing codes are created by Zenimax for the physical retail edition - they even have their copyright notice on the bottom. This is not a retailer issue, it's a manufacturing misprint by Zenimax.

The other issue is that the Imperial Edition is sold out... it's not like the retailers can exchange it for other Imperial Editions. As this was clearly a manufacturing issue - and they have not provided any way for retailers to resolve it (unless they're going to do a re-issue of more physical Imperial Editions) this is Zenimax's issue to resolve. Don't let a support person tell you that it's something that is a retailer responsibility.

The easiest way to resolve it, as all reported cases seem to have all their physical goods, is simply for Zenimax support to contact customers that have submitted support tickets for the issue, cancel the retail game registration code that comes with their box, and then issue their account a digital Imperial Edition. Problem solved, as far as I can tell.

starkerealm

Nalerian wrote: »

To be clear and fair to Gamestop, the card was in the sealed box, it was just blank where the codes should have been printed. I don't think anyone tampered with the internals of my product, aside from a manufacturing error.

Yeah, I was talking about how they screwed you out of the 5 day head start. That does sound like them.

Like I said, I saw a blank insert on an XCOM box from Best Buy in 2012, and that had to go through... I think 2K's support system.

That said, Gamestop does have a policy of gutting products to prevent theft. Only, when that policy works down to the local stores, a lot the employees in charge develop a bad habit of helping themselves.

It also makes Gamestop one of the worst possible retailers to deal with in a situation like yours, because if the store was issued an additional replacement key for you, I can almost guarantee you wouldn't see it.

EvaXenoPhon

Hello fellow blank-slip sufferers,

[I am posting similarly in all threads involving this issue. Apologies for the length. I get verbose when writing. A reason why I don't post often on forums. I am just trying to thoroughly explain my thoughts and experiences with the same issue thus far.]


I have been dealing with Zenimax Support for two days on this issue. For your information: I got my retail Imperial Edition box from Gamestop (though I've heard the same tale from those buying from Amazon and other retailer). Thus, this appears to be a general retailer issue (but one *CAUSED* by a factory defect, not any retailer).

Not to say how many boxes were sold, but it turned out that 50% of the Imperial Editions that were shipped to my store had blank slips with the Imperial Edition & Explorer's Pack codes (just like the attached images). I sincerely hope this statistic isn't representative of the all the Imperial Edition Retail boxes that have been shipped worldwide.

My Game Registration Code was present and intact (I had already activated my game before I noticed the screw-up). This has made it additionally confusing for Support while I have been dealing with them for these past two days (thinking that I only purchased a standard edition and was trying to trick them into getting an imperial edition--I suppose). It is smart for Support be be thorough in such matters. So, although it adds more frustration for me, I can understand their position and methods. I have been patient and cordial, but I'll admit to feeling more irritable the more this is becoming a fiasco.

Like you, I resorted to taking a picture with my Game Registration Code Slip, my *BLANK* Imperial/Explorer Codes Slip, and my Receipt on top of my physical Imperial Edition box. This helped...somewhat.

[There was even more confusion with Support involving how Game Registration involves Pre-Authorization. Since the 30 free days aren't up, the "ping" it made to my PayPal Account came up as "Transaction Cancelled" on their end. Thus they were curious to see if I even paid for the game at all (despite my photo having matching codes to my account, and that being right next to my receipt). Once again, good to be thorough, but grievances towards Pre-Authorization is an entirely different matter at hand (found elsewhere in these forums). Back to the blank code slip!]

Regardless, after an hour with a representative today--a very nice and understanding guy; like everyone I've talked to on the phone thus far--it was revealed to me that Support (or at least the people you get in contact with through phone or email or this website) does not have the Authority to issue replacement codes.

Thus, from my experiences thus far, it would appear that Bethesda and Zenimax Online are using a third party for their support services that has little-to-no power. This isn't something out of the ordinary, but this can make things more difficult for everyone.

Furthermore, Support suggested that I return the big retail box, get my money back, and purchase the Imperial Edition through the official website. It seems that doing this makes your purchase more valid for their records and their online store emails you the codes--no worries for misprints.

This is difficult for me because I already opened the box and activated the Game Registration Code (which wasn't blank). Any PC gamer who buys something retail knows that--once it is opened--it's really difficult to get your money back (*ESPECIALLY* if you activated any one-time-use codes).

Furthermore--if I try to get a replacement box through my retailer--we're talking about a replacement on a *FINITE* item.

What if I don't get my money back from the retailer? What, if I can even get it "replaced" at the retailer, there are no more retail boxes of the Imperial Edition? What if the hypothetical replacement retail box has the same issue?
Why can't Support/Anyone just email me two new replacement codes? Should I have included my Driver's License in my photo?

It was *implied* over the phone that there may be a higher power that might be able to handle the issue. They were not able to directly patch me to those who might be able to help me. So, my Support ticket remains open for another day.

To all who are suffering from this, I will try and keep you posted on how, if ever, I get this resolved. I humbly request the same courtesy if you get your situation figured out.

Best of luck, and may we soon game happy! May we all get our money's worth!