Complaint Review: BVG - Buena Vista Games

I was excited when I heard about the "Desperate Housewives" game. I marked it on my on-line calendar so as not to forget the moment it came out. I ordered it, and waited most impatiently for the postal carrier to bring it.

Well that was a waist of my time, excitement, and money. I just want to let all of you know that MOST OF YOU can NOT play this game on your computer.

"64MB DirectX9 compatable video card, 32 bit color, NVIDIA GeForce 3"

That is the new word combo that I hate. My computer is practically new. It plays all sorts of games. (The Sims, Guild Wars, other MMORPG, etc) My computer WILL NOT play this game. I used the Buena Vista suggested override to get the game to finally install. Again, sheer waist of time. Now I have the game installed, but that means squat because it still will not run!

I contacted my manufacturer as suggested, and DELL support told me that "I need a game with less video memory" and that there is NO download/patch/upgrade/add-on part of which I can get/buy/download/attach to my computer to fix this issue. Also, because this is a laptop, even if I found some computer hacker part sales person to get me the needed card, installing it in my computer would VOID MY WARRANTY!

I felt alone and disheartened. My computer isn't even a year old. And it's top of the line. How could this be? What is wrong with my cute laptop??

Then I went to "DesperateHousewivesTheGame.com" and clicked on "Block Party" which took me to the ABC message board.

It is here that I discovered how un-alone I really am. Posts left and right from other people who have the exact same problem.

Then I went to Tech support. Oh look, this issue is #1 of the top 5 hottest problems! Meaning that, of all the people using Buena Vista games, this is the problem tech support is asked about the very most. And the game hasn't even been out that long!

Well, I doubt it will be out very long. I can imagine the number of people trying to return it, only to learn that taking the plastic wrap off of a game is like driving a new car out of the dealer lot--- the value just dropped.


Due to hardware limitations, the following chipsets do NOT support the functions the program requires. This is only a partial list:


ATI Mobility Radeon 9600/9700

Intel 845 Integrated Express or Extreme Graphics
Intel 852 Integrated Express or Extreme Graphics
Intel 855 Integrated Express or Extreme Graphics
Intel 865 Integrated Express or Extreme Graphics
Intel 910/915 series GMA
Intel 910/915 Integrated Express or Extreme Graphics
Mobile Intel 910GML Express Integrated Graphics
Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS Express Integrated Graphics
Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset

Geforce Go 6400
Geforce2 MX
Geforce2 GTX
Geforce4 MX 420/440/460
Geforce4 Go MX 420/440/460
(the Geforce 4 MX Series is NOT equivalent to a Geforce 3 chipset)

SiS 630/730
SiS 650/740
SiS 662/661/760
SiS M 650
S3 Unichrome series
SiS Xabre series


And here is what you need if you really want to play.

These cards are recommended, dedicated video cards that support the necessary hardware functions for the game to run smoothly.


Exceed Geforce3 specifications:
ATI Graphics Cards
Radeon X1600
Radeon X800XT-PE
Radeon X800XT
Radeon X800 Pro
Radeon X800SE
Radeon X700
Radeon 9800XT
Radeon 9800Pro
Radeon 9700Pro
Radeon 9600XT
Radeon 9600
Radeon 9500
Radeon 9200
Radeon 9100 (same chip as 8500)
Radeon 9000
Radeon 8500 (retail)
Radeon 8500LE (sometimes listed as 8500 OEM)


nVidia Graphics Cards
Geforce 7800 GTX
Geforce 7300 LE
Geforce 6800 Ultra
Geforce 6800 GT
Geforce 6800 (non-ultra)
Geforce 6100 LE
Geforce 5950 Ultra
Geforce 5950
Geforce 5700 Ultra
Geforce 5900SE
Geforce 5900
Geforce 5700
Geforce FX 5600XT
Geforce 5600
Geforce4 Ti4600
Geforce4 Ti4400
Geforce4 Ti4800 (ti4200 with AGP8X)
Geforce4 Ti4200


I hope that helps. Basically, if you don't have something from that second list engraved on your computer right now, just try to forget that the game exists.

Or beg BVG to make the game on another platform, like the X-box which is known for excellent graphics.

I would like to start a better online petition, I just don't know where to put it! (Or if there already is one?)

If you can't make a game that most computers (in particular the computers of your primary marketing target) will play, then just don't make it for PC. Just don't. It's rude.
And I'm heartbroken.

So basically, they are screwing with us. The game was designed so most 'Desperate Housewives' fans would not have the equipment needed to play it! (My computer is still new, and was top of the line... and it can't play it.) The web-sites that have message boards for this game (such as ABC.COM) are filled with people saying how upset they are that they can't play the game.

Logic dictates two things.
1] BVG should have created a game that the majority of their target audience could play. If you can't PLAY it, you won't BUY it, and you'll tell others NOT to buy it. Kiss sales good-bye. DUH.
2] If the graphics are really that complex and vital, and you know that MOST of computers out there can't handle it... don't make it a PC game! Switch platforms. Use X-box or something. A LOT of homes have X-boxes. (Homes in the suburbs, homes with housewives, homes where families watch "Desperate Housewives. Those are places where they probably have an X-box, or at least could shell out $100 for one on ebay!)

Thank you very kindly for reading this. Please note that I HAVE contacted BVG support with these thoughts, and they have NOT replied.

Jamie
LehighValley, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.

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