Gifting rewards

JosiahD · Nov 29, 2013

Hi all - hoping one of you can assist me.

This has probably been mentioned somewhere but I've missed it. Tried a quick search of the forums but nothing was jumping out at me.

I've set up a gift to my father, but nothing has actually been sent to him as yet (ie email informing him of the gift etc). I assume that nothing will actually go through until we actually have something to 'play' (ie we will both have access to 2nd beta).

Have I missed something?

Riandor · Nov 29, 2013

JosiahD said:
Hi all - hoping one of you can assist me.

This has probably been mentioned somewhere but I've missed it. Tried a quick search of the forums but nothing was jumping out at me.

I've set up a gift to my father, but nothing has actually been sent to him as yet (ie email informing him of the gift etc). I assume that nothing will actually go through until we actually have something to 'play' (ie we will both have access to 2nd beta).

Have I missed something?

If it is a gift that you don't want him to enhance through the App, then you are fine. They do not email out confirmations of gifts, so that is fine.

I however wanted a friend to be able to add to the pledge and for that the gift system does not work. I ended up getting a refund and giving my pal the money to do it himself.

So, if the level you have gifted is where it is supposed to stay, then you're good.

JosiahD · Nov 30, 2013

So just to confirm then - does that mean that all my father needs to do is create an account (with the same details that I've specified for his gift reward) and the gift will then transfer to his account?

Riandor · Nov 30, 2013

JosiahD said:
So just to confirm then - does that mean that all my father needs to do is create an account (with the same details that I've specified for his gift reward) and the gift will then transfer to his account?

No... If he created an account in the app store as you have, he would not see his gift and thus not be able to add to it either. He would be at £0 and anything he purchased would be a duplicate of what you have already gifted.

Gifts will be sent out at a later stage, which last i checked was still TBC. Though i would expect if the gift includes Beta access then it should of course be in time for that.

If in doubt, i spoke to a lovely Frontier employee by the name of Ashley Barley via his wall and also via the in App contact email address and he helped me when i wanted to have a refund, as i specifically wanted the gift i gave my friend to add to his app account for him to be able to add to. BUT the app store does NOT work that way.

So like i said, id the Gift level you gave is already sufficient and neither you nor your dad want to up it, then you just need to sit tight and wait and Frontier will do a gift run as and when. Until then you have to assume all is a ok.

izzy · Nov 30, 2013

I've sent a gift to my brother ... he has received a email for confirmation

Riandor · Nov 30, 2013

izzy said:
I've sent a gift to my brother ... he has received a email for confirmation

When was this? I believe they do it in batches... But the Frontier guys both privately and int he app thread said that confirmation emails were not sent out for gifts as yet... So they might have implied "latest batch".

izzy · Nov 30, 2013

Riandor said:
When was this? I believe they do it in batches... But the Frontier guys both privately and int he app thread said that confirmation emails were not sent out for gifts as yet... So they might have implied "latest batch".

I made it when the app was opened (january or february)

Riandor · Nov 30, 2013

Fair enough!

Michael Brookes himself said:

I don't think the gift stuff has been sent out yet, it's best to check with edbackers@frontier.co.uk.

Sparticus · Dec 1, 2013

I have gifted to another - and to was worried - I contacted Ashley - and he confirmed that it would happen once the digital copy was release ( My Gift ).

Doctor_Demento · Dec 1, 2013

I do not mean to sound rude, but I consider their "gifting" system EXTREMELY broken. As in almost nonfunctional. As its already been stated, the person who it is gifted to has no means of seeing if there is a problem. (neither does the gifter). The person has been gifted has no way to pick his Commander name if he has that level. He has no way to pick a NPC name if he has that level. And most important of all HE HAS NO WAY TO UPGRADE/ADD TO HIS PLEDGE. HE HAS NO WAY TO BUY ADDON'S. I would bet money (and I'm not a gambling man) they have not only lost money this way, they've lost customers who didn't like it, were frustrated. Or other personal reasons because of the "gifting" system. I know some people I have tried to get into the game so "No thanks" because of it. I'm serious. This should have been fixed a long time ago. But now that the backer system is ending on Dec. 6th, its a moot point. I say something because it has bothered me and I've already tried to do something about it with zero success. sigh, I'm still happy to play but this does make me sad. Sorry for ranting.

Lestat · Dec 1, 2013

I was going to ask the same thing. Because I sent it to my nephew.

Sparticus · Dec 2, 2013

Doctor_Demento said:
I do not mean to sound rude, but I consider their "gifting" system EXTREMELY broken. As in almost nonfunctional. As its already been stated, the person who it is gifted to has no means of seeing if there is a problem. (neither does the gifter). The person has been gifted has no way to pick his Commander name if he has that level. He has no way to pick a NPC name if he has that level. And most important of all HE HAS NO WAY TO UPGRADE/ADD TO HIS PLEDGE. HE HAS NO WAY TO BUY ADDON'S. I would bet money (and I'm not a gambling man) they have not only lost money this way, they've lost customers who didn't like it, were frustrated. Or other personal reasons because of the "gifting" system. I know some people I have tried to get into the game so "No thanks" because of it. I'm serious. This should have been fixed a long time ago. But now that the backer system is ending on Dec. 6th, its a moot point. I say something because it has bothered me and I've already tried to do something about it with zero success. sigh, I'm still happy to play but this does make me sad. Sorry for ranting.

Well Said.

I guess we will know soon enough if the gifts work

Doctor_Demento · Dec 2, 2013

Yes we will my friend.

I'm not sure when the 2nd round beta will start. If the alpha begins next month. And the game is to be released Next March, then the 2nd beta would prolly be in Feb. My best guess anyhow. Hey when will my confirmation on my Commander name and my NPC name come since my package was gifted? They said they fixed my newsletter and I'm suppose to start getting them next month. (did you get a confirmation on my Commander name mate?) Anybody got any idea? :S

Sparticus · Dec 2, 2013

I got a thumbs up symbol next to you name - Doctor_Demento

So I guess that means confirmed.

On the upgraded gift - I got a thumbs up next to aka_Doctor_Demento and a thumbs up for the NPC name of Doctor_Demento.

I have also gifted to a relative of mine:

Commander name - Son_Of_Sparticus ( thought that would be fun )
NPC Name = Darth_Bob

I can only expect all will be well...

Riandor · Dec 2, 2013

Doctor_Demento said:
I do not mean to sound rude, but I consider their "gifting" system EXTREMELY broken. As in almost nonfunctional. As its already been stated, the person who it is gifted to has no means of seeing if there is a problem. (neither does the gifter). The person has been gifted has no way to pick his Commander name if he has that level. He has no way to pick a NPC name if he has that level. And most important of all HE HAS NO WAY TO UPGRADE/ADD TO HIS PLEDGE. HE HAS NO WAY TO BUY ADDON'S. I would bet money (and I'm not a gambling man) they have not only lost money this way, they've lost customers who didn't like it, were frustrated. Or other personal reasons because of the "gifting" system. I know some people I have tried to get into the game so "No thanks" because of it. I'm serious. This should have been fixed a long time ago. But now that the backer system is ending on Dec. 6th, its a moot point. I say something because it has bothered me and I've already tried to do something about it with zero success. sigh, I'm still happy to play but this does make me sad. Sorry for ranting.

I think the issue is it appeared as though it might be better than it was clearly intended to be. A nice idea, but poorly explained and with some thought and work it could have been a great way to get someone onto the pledge ladder and for them to jonty on up it.

A missed opportunity and hopefully a lesson learned.

BUT, thanks to Ashley and Frontier for refunding me the money very promptly so I could transfer it to my friend, who is now on the app and upping his pledge, as was intended.

Very good customer service!!!