You know very well that ED was advertised many times as having a solo offline component. Until the latest newsletter, ED was never advertised as an online only game.
During the KS, DB started a Reddit AMA for the sole purpose of advertising the KS. During that KS he clearly stated, as he had done many times before and since, that the game will have an offline mode. His advertising efforts on the KS, Reddit as well as on many other gaming publications explicitly stated there will be an offline version of Elite Dangerous. This is indisputable - ED was advertised as having an offline mode.
Based entirely on this advertising by Mr Braben and Frontier staff, many (like me) decided to pre-purchase the game whether through the KS, or through the store, or through Paypal, or whatever.
I understand FD will fail to deliver on their advertised product, and I have no control over that. Surely, it is a matter of professional courtesy for them to just say everybody who pre-purchased this game who was expecting a refund, will get a refund. Instead they use the legalistic 'you can apply for a refund' which hardly fills us with hope.
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If they came out in a few days and said they are reversing their decision and will develop an offline version within 6 months, then I will immediately cancel my refund request. Its not like I want to do this ... I have been given no choice by a very late decision by FD.
They are saying. Apply through the system so they can treat you all fairly as individual cases. that sounds reasonable, and I hope they are compassionate to peoples disappointment and those like you who have been bitterly let down.