No more starter packs

Just had an e-mail stating that the starter packs are no longer available and my account is being credited.

Is there a reason why the decision has been made to discontinue it?

Are there any plans to offer a digital download equivlant?

I'm sure I am not the only person who is frustrated by this, and the only way I feel that BB/Ubi will know there is still a huge demand is to let them know vocally (well via writing). If we as players stay silent then the powers that be may never bring back a similar deal.

totally agree, first time i decide to buy some and they stop selling them lol.... please bring them back.

1 month of amazon telling us it'll be shipped 3-7th sept just to be told today it is no longer available from bluebyte

It's just not right come on BB give us an option in the shop for these codes

Chipsticks
(RBC)
NorthIsle

Guys, I think it is precisely because there is a huge demand for them that the Starter packs are being withdrawn. Either BB/Ubi thought their player base was so dumb they would not recognise the huge savings we could make by buying the packs, not look beyond the word 'starter', or they seriously underestimated the negative impact the packs would inevitably have on gem sales. Either way I doubt they will be brought back in any similar form, digital or otherwise, for the players benefit.

I think BB/Ubi, given the huge fanfare and weeks of hype before the launch of the packs, have behaved shamefully, withdrawing them without any notification to players. Neither warning nor explaination. No doubt they will blame us.....saying the packs were clearly labelled 'Starter' so not intended for our benefit.

totaly agree! it is realy frustrating that i can not buy a starters packet with that nice BHG & gem vouchers any where! pls start selling them!

I have spent 2 months getting my character to lvl 42 and saved every gem i got during that time and after reaching lvl 39 finally got my BH general, Now I am 42 I have about 700 gems , even with +200 per level (max lvl 50) i have no hope of ever getting a Vet General 5000 gems, these starter packs were a good idea perhaps 12 quid was a bit cheap for them compared to what they have gems on sale for.

Give us an option in the shop to buy these starter codes at least u can cut down on the production cost of the retail boxes and get revenue in quicker.

I never heard of a company saying "we had to pull the product as demand was too high"

D............

this must be the most badly thought business decision i ever heard of. i mean, people buying S-packs are never going to buy gems instead. i speak here for myself and some other ppl i know, who are saving up to buy 10 S-pack @ once. now i was almost done with getting the cash together and they pull them down. i will NEVER spend that cash on only gems, it was the other things that made me think of buying. so now instead of ~100 GBP BB will get nothing from me and at least 5 other people. that sure is supposed to be very good for the business, duh....

bring them back pls!!! sighhhhhh .. bad times! :(

Yup i have to agree. Theyre crazy if they think that withdrawing the packs will suddenly make people start buying those overpriced gems in the shop.
All they have done is cut off a large source of revenue for them selves.
Who writes their business plans for them ???
I think he needs sacked :S

Totally agree with everything said, I had a £50 order of the starter packs cancelled with Amazon along with the rest of the people. I sure won't be spending £50 on the over-priced gems in the game store, so they just lost another £50 from me. Shameful that it's been pulled without even a word from them. Makes me wonder if I should continue playing this game, everything is too expensive and Starter Packs were the only things that represented value for money.

I can still buy them. Amazon are out of stock but they are not the only shop online. I will try again on pay day to get one or two more before the stock runs out. Hopefully they will release a different one with other gifts instead of the silo and watermill. Maybe a savage scout instead of a general.

Options

1 ) Buy Gems from the shop
2 ) Don't spend money on the game
3 ) Make your own game

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Originally Posted by Nuttymut

Options

1 ) Buy Gems from the shop
2 ) Don't spend money on the game
3 ) Make your own game

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we shouldnt have to! we should be able to still buy the packs! some information would of been nice from them to tell us that the packs was gonna stop being available!

Did anyone get any further with this or are starter packs dead and buried?

wish they would make them online as packs

Would be nice if a BB could actually clarify if they aren't on sale anymore and explain why?

I ordered mine when i was lvl 19 now i'm lvl 39'ish not much of a starter pack more like an ending pack anyway now

Thanks to all who sold their codes in g-3 I'm sure u wish u hung on-to them

ohh and i cant afford 49.99 for a vet general
I have paid the 2.50 sms charge for a couple of extra gems to get me a bhg well worth it, about what i expect to pay for a cut-down game like this.

This is after all no GTA or WatchDog which i have no problem coughing up the 49.99 for but for a vet general nahh I'll pass thanks and hurry up with watchdogs it looks awesome although i need to spend 300 buck on another video card upgrade ....hahaha

It's all swings and roundabouts

Enjoy the game, spend the cash if u have it .... If u cant afford it i'm sure u'll enjoy it anyway come on BB the settlers want a definite answer as to where the packs have gone

Peace out - Till the PVP begins might need a vet then ... ;)

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Originally Posted by Mr_Todd

I can still buy them. Amazon are out of stock but they are not the only shop online. I will try again on pay day to get one or two more before the stock runs out. Hopefully they will release a different one with other gifts instead of the silo and watermill. Maybe a savage scout instead of a general.

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So where are you buying them from then? The only place I can find is Tesco with a huge lead time and I suspect they just haven't cottoned on yet.

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Originally Posted by BB_Seph

XD

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At this point someone from BB has responded to our quries about the starter packs by saying 2 letters X and D not too sure what this means is it like giving us 2 fingers ?

I Take offence to this sry guys BB talk to us thats all we ask. Dont make it so difficult for those of us with a little cash to advance a bit in the game, were probably only what 10% of the playerbase so it's probably ok to just ignore us.

I'll leave it there then thanks for a nice game could have been friendlier on the support front but u guys have u'r priorities i suppose.

D...........

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dezy

At this point someone from BB has responded to our quries about the starter packs by saying 2 letters X and D not too sure what this means is it like giving us 2 fingers ?

I Take offence to this sry guys BB talk to us thats all we ask. Dont make it so difficult for those of us with a little cash to advance a bit in the game, were probably only what 10% of the playerbase so it's probably ok to just ignore us.

I'll leave it there then thanks for a nice game could have been friendlier on the support front but u guys have u'r priorities i suppose.

D...........

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He's not from BB.

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Originally Posted by Dilbe

He's not from BB.

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I hope your right.

Anyway, I believe BB_Dantesama answered the question in brief on another thread:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BB_Dantesama

We are actually working on a starter pack, unfortunately, I cannot give you a release date.

Hope this clears things a little.

BB_Dantesama

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Hello all,

This person was impersonating a staff member, please ignore the post.

Regarding the starter pack, you will have more information on it and its content when approaching the date.

Hope this helps a little :)

Regards

BB_Dantesama

Ok this thing with everything always coming out in the future with no information is getting old.

Maybe they just decided to wait until the game is out of beta before they release the starter packs, I did go to amazon myself yesterday thinking they were out already.

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Originally Posted by Alryno

Maybe they just decided to wait until the game is out of beta before they release the starter packs, I did go to amazon myself yesterday thinking they were out already.

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They was released sometime ago, I've bought and used a couple already.

Perhaps their working on a DLC :confused:.

Glad I managed to grab a couple then - still have one unopened as I've not needed the bits quite yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BB_Dantesama

Hello all,

This person was impersonating a staff member, please ignore the post.

Regarding the starter pack, you will have more information on it and its content when approaching the date.

Hope this helps a little :)

Regards

BB_Dantesama

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Nope, doesn't really help at all.

Questions though:
Will bluebyte/TSO be selling this pack through a third-party seller again?
When 5 week old back-orders are canceled, will they blame the third-party supplier again?

Just wondering is all... not sure if it's worth waiting another 5 weeks to get nothing. :cool:

Perhaps TSO can release the pack on their own site, so as to avoid another embarrassing situation from third-party sellers? Just an idea.

Cheers
Scruffy

google search settlers online starter pack, there will be a list of shops offering the pack. They are on zavvi and amazon.de (a little pricey) for sure and many online sites in europe. do same search on google.nl and you will see many at good prices. buy online not in tescos :) If you still have problems or only want to buy from uk I can always buy extra and sell you one or two through Ebay. Could always be a rumour to make people buy more packs faster. Its not as if you need packs constantly a few at the start to give a boost and to buy a couple of savage scouts is enough for most people. It would still cost 80 pound ish to buy a gem mine. Enjoy. T.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr_Todd

google search settlers online starter pack, there will be a list of shops offering the pack. They are on zavvi and amazon.de (a little pricey) for sure and many online sites in europe. do same search on google.nl and you will see many at good prices. buy online not in tescos :) If you still have problems or only want to buy from uk I can always buy extra and sell you one or two through Ebay. Could always be a rumour to make people buy more packs faster. Its not as if you need packs constantly a few at the start to give a boost and to buy a couple of savage scouts is enough for most people. It would still cost 80 pound ish to buy a gem mine. Enjoy. T.

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Heh what a lad. Thanks for the info mate :).

uberrima fides = Latin for "In the utmost good faith"

Hi Dantesama,

Firstly I would like to apologise for not welcoming you to the TSO boards as the New Community Manager. I have only just gathered that from other posts.

So ... welcome.

Secondly I will try and keep my passion under control as this is frustrating you a little - I can assure you it's not aggression, although I can understand some confusing it as such. It is, therefore incumbent upon me to make my point in a subdued manner, especially if I want it to be taken seriously.

And I do.

I assume that you are employed by BB and you are not a volunteer. That's important as if you are a volunteer then my time invested in this post is really not going to be the greatest investment of my life :-)

I will also add plenty of caveat's so there's no chance of misunderstanding me or the point I would like to make.

So caveat's first ;

I realise you are "new in post"
I understand you are acting in good faith when you post and that you have little or no information to pass on
And I accept "you are all just human beings" at BB

But - my point comes second (and if there are any caveats I have missed please edit this post and add them - that would be constructive I think :-))

I would very humbly suggest the reply that BB have asked you to convey to us is ... well ... a little frail, maybe even a tad ambiguous. Yes that last part of my sentence was erring towards sarcasm ... but nice sarcasm ... the tongue in cheek sort of sarcasm that people giggle about ;-)

Can I suggest that BB accept that the withdrawal of the Starter Packs is a little harsh. There's a Latin Term used in contracts and I would like to quote it if may please. It's called "uberrima fides" and it means in the utmost good faith. Underlying this is a requirement that all parties act in complete honesty all the time. And I would respectfully suggest that the removal of the starter packs is not totally honest.

Now before you become too defensive and take the strict company line with me I'd like to say I don't know if BB have done this deliberatley or if we now find ourselves where we are after a series of events - which can often be so much easier to look back over :-)

In March BB Azariel indicated that TSO were making starter packs available through a post on the boards. I have found them to represent excellent value for money. Especially when compared with the purchase of gems directly through the BB shop.

May I embedd a thought in your mind please. Imagine, please, a player has been playing for a month or two and they suggest the game to a friend and they explain all about the starter packs. The friend starts playing and two weeks in the starter packs aren't available. Can I ask you to imagine how both those players will be feeling - and I would like to refer back to my point about total honesty - these players may feel that BB have not been totally honest with them. It's not a case of saying BB have been dishonest. It's a case of understanding perception and feelings.

I would, therefore, suggest strongly that BB consider their decision to withdraw the starter packs until they have a replacement in place. Additionally I would like to suggest that BB raise this issue to their highest priority.

I'm dissappointed that BB have withdrawn the starter packs. I had made plans to purchase two more over Xmas so that I could have a bit of me time :-)

Finally Dantesama I would like to make a counter point or if you prefer a rebuttle.

I don't have a huge need to blow lots of money on this or any game. Like many I have a family and other priorities too. However, after a considerable number of years in business I have found my best ally is my honesty and my wallet working in complete harmony.

I think many cannot afford to play the game after the removal of the starter packs. At my time of life it doesn't surprise me. I can vote with my wallet and my honesty and buy a crossword book or two to keep me occupied over Xmas :-) lol. Companies do what they have to. I have no problems with BB making a profit - if it doesn't the game will not be available. I am not alluding to anything like that.

I simply would like BB to consider their actions to withdraw the starter packs and perhaps to take steps to replace a little of the honesty which may have slipped off the table.
Best
Nuttymut

Added post post :-) ; Perhaps the easy solution is for BB to temporarily adjust the Gem Prices from their shop and thus remove the problem and the ill will that is obviously out there?

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Originally Posted by Nuttymut

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I agree, it is a bit disheartening that the packs are no longer available as I have bought two and was thinking about buying another at the end of this month. I think BB_Dantesama has basically said "I'm not allowed to say anything else" though.

If they removed the starter pack because it was too cheap compared to the gems in the shop why don't they make it "unique". Which means one account can only use 1 starter pack. After all it's a starter pack. I have ordered one a month ago now and still not available from my shop. I was preparing to buy some extra gems for a veteran general but now I wont buy anything until the next starters pack is available. Maybe you should not call it a starter pack but call it a booster pack and make it unique and release a new booster pack every 4 months or so. I m sure you will find lots of buyers and you can adapt the booster pack to the changing needs of the game.

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Originally Posted by Dilbe

He's not from BB.

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actually there is or was a BB_seph as he is the one who designed the gem pit and unlimited copper mine ..but the blue writing in chat was the give away

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Originally Posted by Mr_Todd

google search settlers online starter pack, there will be a list of shops offering the pack. They are on zavvi and amazon.de (a little pricey) for sure and many online sites in europe. do same search on google.nl and you will see many at good prices. buy online not in tescos :) If you still have problems or only want to buy from uk I can always buy extra and sell you one or two through Ebay. Could always be a rumour to make people buy more packs faster. Its not as if you need packs constantly a few at the start to give a boost and to buy a couple of savage scouts is enough for most people. It would still cost 80 pound ish to buy a gem mine. Enjoy. T.

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the amazon.de ones won't do you any good, their codes are tied to the German servers. Every time I've looked, Zavvi are in the same boat as everybody else, they don't have any in stock, besides which, past experience has taught me not to trust them even if they did.

Surely BB must be able to give some update on this by now??

Please bring thm back....

Yeah, bring them back! Loads benefited from them, but those that started after are at a disadvantage. I want a pack, even if it's only one that can be used on an account.

BB... still no replies to this thread?

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Originally Posted by Old___Boy

Yeah, bring them back! Loads benefited from them, but those that started after are at a disadvantage. I want a pack, even if it's only one that can be used on an account.

BB... still no replies to this thread?

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Hello Old___Boy

Blue Byte have released new starter packs. You can read about them here :).

Search UbiShop, Play.com or Amazon for your copy!

[Thread closed]

Thank you,
Sinister-King