"How in the hell could Interplay release a game with such major, glaring, near-fatal flaws? Didn't anybody know? Didn't anybody care?" - PC Gamer Nov 98

"Running a close second in the shovelware market is Interplay, which also takes second place (after Sierra) as The Company Who Hates Its Customers The Most" - PC Gamer Feb 99

Got Game? Get Refund!

Last update: 10/28/98 Join the Crusade Auto-updated: 03/31/99
[Interplay Forum]

Got Game?

Get Refund

Here's what you need to know...

First ... if you paid for MAX2 by Credit Card, your credit card company will credit your account for the full purchase price if you first make a good faith effort to get a refund in normal channels. So, first take it back to the store you bought it at and if they refuse get the name of the person who refused. Then write to your Credit Card company (their address is on their monthly statement they send you). Here is a SAMPLE LETTER so you can see how easy it is!

Now, on with what you need to know...

You purchased MAX2 to play multiplayer games as stated in Interplay MAX2 advertisements. This is also stated on the box cover inside the right flap, quote:

"Multiplayer Action lets you compete with up to 6 players via LAN, hotseat, TCP/IP or our Free, Fully Integrated Internet Matching Service."

Multiplayer games did not work as purchased and verified by several reviews (print off any that you may wish to use to back up your statement that the game is not playable). You were patient and allowed Interplay time to correct the problems. However, Interplay has now released 4 patches (1.2, 1.3, 1.31 and 1.4) and if anything the game is worse than before. It is virtually impossible to complete a multiplayer game. This can be verified by the BUGS page. Also note that Interplay has stated that patch 1.4 was the last patch they would release. So, since MAX2 still is not working, there no longer is a reason to wait for a patch to fix it!

Print out the BUGS page and take the printout with the MAX2 Game, your reciept and these instructions to the store where you purchased it.

Since the product does not perform as stated right on the box (and this is a widely known fact illustrated by the BUGS page), they should refund you purchase price in full. There should not be a problem with this since the store then will get their money back from Interplay (who created this fiasco in the first place by selling a defective product). Ask to speak to the manager if there are any problems.

NOTE: If the store asks you to return the game to Interplay, note that this is not possible. Interplay Customer Support has stated that they only give refunds on games you buy directly from them and they merely refer you to the store that you bought it from.

NOTE: If the store asks why you waited so long to return it ... you were merely listening to Interplay who promised to fix all the problems with a patch ... and now after releasing four patches Interplay has given up on the game.

If for some reason your store will not give you a refund (why would they refuse ... doing so is likely losing them a customer plus plenty of bad word of mouth exposure), write down the NAME of the store representative that refused your refund along with the date and time that it was refused. Then send the following to your credit card company (you did charge it, right?):

1) A copy of the receipt showing the amount you paid for MAX2.

2) The printout of the BUGS page showing the game does not play Multiplayer at all.

3) A letter stating:

a) Your name, address and account number

b) Your phone and EMail address for them to contact you if there are questions

c) This statement about product specifications promised:

I purchased MAX2 to play multiplayer games as stated in Interplay MAX2 advertisements. This is also stated on the box cover inside the right flap, quote:

"Multiplayer Action lets you compete with up to 6 players via LAN, hotseat, TCP/IP or our Free, Fully Integrated Internet Matching Service."

MAX2 crashes before I can finish a multiplayer game. This is verified by the BUG PAGE I am enclosing.

d) State that you tried in good faith to get the store to refund your money and list the date and time as well as the name of the person who refused you.

e) Request that the full purchase price including any taxes be credited to your account.

The Credit Card company will then credit your account for the full price and will debit the stores account for that same amount (now you know why you should always pay for computer equipment and software with a charge card). Once the store is debited the amount of the sale, they will then get reimbursed by Interplay.

Please send an EMail to CaptComal@hotmail.com concerning your experiences with this. This is a COMMON PROCEDURE so there should be no problems what-so-ever!

Granted, it would be much simpler if Interplay themselves would just send a full refund to all customers themselves, but they are being very uncooperative in this matter, forcing the customer to go through a few hoops to get their money back.

If you find any errors please report them to CaptComal@hotmail.com so they can be corrected. Thanks.
[Official Interplay M.A.X.2 Site] [Links]

NOTE: This website is only in its preliminary stages at this time. Any comments can be sent to CaptComal@hotmail.com