Humble Bundle alters terms of sale: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
{{Wplink|Humble Bundle, Inc.}} is an online market place that started operations in 2010, initially offering collections of (mainly indie) game keys at a price | {{Wplink|Humble Bundle, Inc.}} is an online market place that started operations in 2010, initially offering collections of (mainly indie) game keys at a price determined by the buyer splitting the revenue with charities and the game developer.<ref name="ars"> | ||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|first=Michael | |first=Michael | ||
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|archive-date=6 Jan 2013 | |archive-date=6 Jan 2013 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
Monthly | Monthly subscriptions with similar revenue split schemas have been offered since 2015.<ref name="gamasutra"> | ||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|first= Alex | |first= Alex | ||
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516005641/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/363013/Humbles_indie_game_publishing_biz_is_now_Humble_Games.php | |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516005641/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/363013/Humbles_indie_game_publishing_biz_is_now_Humble_Games.php | ||
|archive-date=16 May 2020 | |archive-date=16 May 2020 | ||
}}</ref>, however as of July 2024 the Humble games division is, according to the company, restructuring and all the employees have been laid off.<ref name=" "> | }}</ref>, however as of July 2024 the Humble games division is, according to the company, restructuring and all the employees have been laid off.<ref name=""> | ||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|first= Anna | |first= Anna | ||
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Humble Bundle continues operations. | Humble Bundle continues operations. | ||
== Limiting key validity period after the sale == | ==Limiting key validity period after the sale== | ||
[[File:Humble-terms-before.png|Delivery of product section in TOS before Dec 2024|thumb|right]] | [[File:Humble-terms-before.png|Delivery of product section in TOS before Dec 2024|thumb|right]] | ||
[[File:Humble-terms-after.png|Delivery of product section in TOS after Dec 2024, highlighted additions|thumb|right]] | [[File:Humble-terms-after.png|Delivery of product section in TOS after Dec 2024, highlighted additions|thumb|right]] | ||
In December 2024, Humble Bundle modified their terms of service to include wording that allows them to | In December 2024, Humble Bundle modified their terms of service to include wording that allows them to remove unclaimed game keys from accounts after a period of 3 years. with no obligation to reimburse the buyer.<ref name="new-terms"> | ||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|author=<!--not stated--> | |author=<!--not stated--> | ||
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In addition to the limited time to redeem the keys there is also the issue of limited supply of keys, | In addition to the limited time to redeem the keys there is also the issue of limited supply of keys, highlighted in the same section of the TOS, that may result to periods of unavailability. According to the terms of service as of the time of or writing <ref name="new-terms" /> | ||
<blockquote> In some cases due to various reasons, a key may not be available to replenish and in such cases, Humble Bundle may offer the same game on a different platform (“Alternate Keys”) if this is a possibility. In cases where Alternate Keys are not available to replenish, Humble Bundle is not obligated to provide them.</blockquote> | <blockquote> In some cases due to various reasons, a key may not be available to replenish and in such cases, Humble Bundle may offer the same game on a different platform (“Alternate Keys”) if this is a possibility. In cases where Alternate Keys are not available to replenish, Humble Bundle is not obligated to provide them.</blockquote> | ||
This may add complexity for users who may | This may add complexity for users who may purchase their keys during a period of unavailability and be unable to redeem them immediately and could possibly result in keys being declared "expired" before a user has an opportunity to download the game they correspond to. | ||
According to one user report on reddit that has been corroborated by others the expired status has been added to keys that have been "revealed" in the platform (claimed at a time they were available) and not redeemed to download the game. These keys were still found to be valid after they were deemed "expired" by Humble Bundle bringing into question the purpose of retracting the codes from use. <ref name="reddit-1"/> | According to one user report on reddit that has been corroborated by others the expired status has been added to keys that have been "revealed" in the platform (claimed at a time they were available) and not redeemed to download the game. These keys were still found to be valid after they were deemed "expired" by Humble Bundle bringing into question the purpose of retracting the codes from use. <ref name="reddit-1" /> | ||
===Humble Bundle's response=== | ===Humble Bundle's response=== | ||
Humble Bundle has not issued a public statement regarding the change of the terms and the possibility | Humble Bundle has not issued a public statement regarding the change of the terms and the possibility of refunding or compensating users. Users have not as of now reported on how Humble Bundle's costumer support regarding keys that are unavailable to redeem and coming close to expiring.<ref name="reddit-3"> | ||
{{cite web | {{cite web | ||
|author=<!--not stated--> | |author=<!--not stated--> | ||
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==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
[[File:Expired-keys.png|thumb|right|Example of keys showing up as expired.]] | [[File:Expired-keys.png|thumb|right|Example of keys showing up as expired.]] | ||
As this change has been rolled out without much notice the users who have noticed their keys showing up as expired that also have unredeemed keys on their accounts have been trying to get answers from support without much reported success.<ref name="reddit-3"/> Many have been | As this change has been rolled out without much notice the users who have noticed their keys showing up as expired that also have unredeemed keys on their accounts have been trying to get answers from support without much reported success.<ref name="reddit-3" /> Many have been criticizing the change as stressful and questioning its legality in the EU and Australia <ref name="reddit-1" />. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Retroactively amended purchase]] | *[[Retroactively amended purchase]] | ||
* [[Post-purchase EULA modification]] | *[[Post-purchase EULA modification]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:Humble Bundle]] | [[Category:Humble Bundle]] | ||
[[Category:Incidents]] | [[Category:Incidents]] | ||
<references /> | |||