Valve Owns Up To Modern Warfare 2 Error
Valve revokes the ban and offers a free game for its Anti-Cheat blunder.
As reported Monday, many Modern Warfare 2 PC gamers complained over the past week that Valve's Anti-Cheat (VAC) software banned them from the game. Their argument was that they weren't actually cheating, and to get Valve's attention, most flocked to the Modern Warfare 2 forums, the Steam forums, and an invite-only Steam Group to make their case. But despite their outcries, they were told that nothing could be done about the problem save for purchasing a new copy.
Surprisingly, Valve head honcho Gabe Newell stepped forward and issued a statement to those affected by the ban. It was believed that the company would stay true to its stance against discussing and revoking bans, remaining a silent observer. However this time Newell admitted that the banning was a mistake on Valve's part and plans to rectify the situation.
"I apologize for any frustration or angst it may have caused you," he said in the email that can be seen here. "The problem was that Steam would fail a signature check between the disk version of a DLL and a latent memory version. This was caused by a combination of conditions occurring while Steam was updating the disk image of a game. This wasn't a game-specific mistake. Steam allows us to manage and reverse these erroneous bans (about 12,000 erroneous bans over two weeks)."
That's fine and dandy, but where does that leave all those banned gamers? After all, they face shelling out more bucks to regain access. "We have reversed the ban, restoring your access to the game," he added. "In addition, we have given you a free copy of Left 4 Dead 2 to give as a gift on Steam, plus a free copy for yourself if you didn't already own the game."
I'll gladly take that L4D2 gift copy off your hands. Here's how you do it.
- Valve,
- Activision,
- Modern-Warfare ,
- Steam ,
- cheats
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gotta love steam
This is why Steam is one of the DRM's I can agree with.
Classy move on Valve's part.
Everyone should take note. They found a problem, admitted to the problem, fixed the problem, and then gave something back to apologize. Another thing anyone feeling kind and giving me L4D2 gift
Atleast the owned up to their mistake and corrected it. Plus gave the players affected a good game to boot. APPLE AKA Mr. Jobs. LEARN FROM STEAM. They treat their customers right...AND FIX THE PROBLEM. No dumb band-aid fix bumpers lol
@tipmen if I could I would upvote your comment 1000 times. Exactly what I was thinking...also, sorry, i'm not one of those affected so no free l4d2.
And that is how you do business, my friends. Fantastic job Valve!
Yea! Zombie killing time!
Everyone makes mistakes. I would of been content with just the apology and a reversed ban, but giving a free game copy away is just awesome! Yet another reason why I love Valve
What if they were so hard up to play MW2 that they rushed out to buy a new copy before the fix was implemented?
THIS IS why VALVE is still loved among PC users... despite their momentary cockiness (charging full amount for L4D2), they give back more and more afterward...
Well haljordan honestly that would sord of suck, but at the same time if you're that hard up you probably need to take a step back and access some things.
If this would've happened to me, ya I would've diffently have been pissed, and would've let them known. But what steam has done in this case imo goes above and beyond. As a lot would've just reversed the ban and said there you go. They did that, and gave a free game. And not some p.o.s game that would've only cost you 5$ but an actual good game that a lot of people really enjoy.
THIS IS why VALVE is still loved among PC users... despite their momentary cockiness (charging full amount for L4D2), they give back more and more afterward...
There have been PLENTY of L4D2 sales (it was $17.49 at one point) and it's going for 29.99 right now. Steam often has amazing bundles and flash deals on their games.
Looks like Steve Jobs could use a few pointers from Gabe Newell
Justice served!!
For all the trolls who called us liars and cheaters.. HA! IN YOUR FACE!!!
Now go cry while I enjoy my free L4D2
Let me get this straight...you paid $59.99 or something like that, get banned on purpose to get you to buy it again but when the public finds out what Valve was doing, they offer free L4D2 in exchange to shut them up?
Wow just Wow, you know what the best part is ? the tools believes them and takes their game.
L4D2 is like what? $20? And you paid $60? In the end you still lost and the best part is that Valve doesnt lose anything.
Im glad this happen, at least I have even more proof that Valve are a bunch of tards
Let me get this straight...you paid $59.99 or something like that, get banned on purpose to get you to buy it again but when the public finds out what Valve was doing, they offer free L4D2 in exchange to shut them up?Wow just Wow, you know what the best part is ? the tools believes them and takes their game.L4D2 is like what? $20? And you paid $60? In the end you still lost and the best part is that Valve doesnt lose anything. Im glad this happen, at least I have even more proof that Valve are a bunch of
the bans were lifted , and we got free L4D2 , Valve dealt with the situation nicely.
Don't play MW2 myself, but its good that Valve recognized and corrected the error and gave a little something back as compensation.
Wasn't MW2 the game Microsoft was banning consoles over when people were playing the game pre-release, even thought they puchased the game legally from a retailer who released the game early to drive up sales? What ever happened with that?
ok he's very clever. not only did he admit to the problem, but he gave a free VALVE game to them, which will only increase the users in l4d2... he's trying to bring ppl to his camp, and everyone knows l4d2 is better then mw2.. its fact.
Can someone with an extra copy of L4D2 gift it to me please?
Lol I definitely would accept the free LFD2 copy ;P
hey when you wanna keep clients you make them happy especially if you have to sit trough non stop updating everythime you wanna play the game...
See apple? this is how it's done
anyone knows the mail for Mr. Jobs? he could learn a thing or two from Mr. Newell... specially since the latest didn't come up with some comment like "you're holding it wrong"
I tip my hat to Valve and the way they deal with errors
this time....who knows maybe he was in an unusually good mood
Let me get this straight...you paid $59.99 or something like that, get banned on purpose to get you to buy it again but when the public finds out what Valve was doing, they offer free L4D2 in exchange to shut them up?
I would hope they got refunds on the purchase. The article said nothing about that scenario. If they didn't get a refund, then yeah that would screwed up.
quit being a bunch of fan boys, the real story here is that VAC made a mistake and the usual policy is "no comment" how often does this happen? what if it's just 2 poor saps who got VAC banned in error???? would VALVE have caught that error?
quit being a bunch of fan boys, the real story here is that VAC made a mistake and the usual policy is "no comment" how often does this happen? what if it's just 2 poor saps who got VAC banned in error???? would VALVE have caught that error?
Well, there is always that question what if it was a error. However, I've never experience such problems and when I do, I will be done with Steam simple isn't? You just have to trust them and when it messes up stop buying from them and using their services but that is after making a complaint and seeing if it was an error they might fix it. You never know.
Awesome job on Valve's part by fessing up to their mistake; that earns them huge respect. As said before, Apple really needs to learn from them; better yet, don't let them learn, and let's all watch the company eventually die.
Giving away a free copy of LFD2 is awesome, giving a gift version as well, that's just amazing. They covered this issue as best as they possibly could, kudos to Valve.
On that note, I don't own LFD2 yet, and would love to give it a play. If anyone is feeling generous, and awesome, my Steam account name is "Dominus Porter"; I'd love you forever
Valve and steam, with all their faults, at least still know how to stay true to their customers
Great Job valve and anybody feeling generous enough to send me there free gifted L4D, please do so.
As for valve's support. Iv personally found their no comment can always be questioned directly, by contacting them using a "steam support ticket". Iv had responses within 24 hours and on some occasions anything up to 72 hours, but the point is. If you feel like you are unfortunately banned unfairly, then they WILL reply to you, IF you get off your ass and actually contact them!...