I've had one experience with Ubisoft in the last decade. Their demo works on my switch, but the paid game can't log into their cloud and is unplayable (my ISP uses a CGNAT, and the IP address was banned).
Of course, I bought it from the Nintendo Store, which means no refund (a charge back would get me banned from the Nintendo Store, nuking unrelated purchases).
They've definitely trained me to not buy their games. I'm strongly considering setting up a Switch emulator so I can play the title in question.
I've called Nintendo support and asked for a refund before. They said they don't allow refunds, but as a one-time exception they would refund my game. Others online have had this happen too. I think this must be an internal script they must have. You can refund a digital game, but only once ever.
You could try doing that for your Ubisoft game and see if it works.
Although, the refund came in the form of store money; my card didn't get anything back.
I've contacted Nintendo on the phone three times in the past and have received three full refunds for digital purchases and every time they said it was a one time thing, so that part is just a script the phone agent is required to say. They don't actually track or enforce it as the second and third times there was no mention of my previous refunds.
That seems very shortsighted. I would stop buying titles if I only ever got one return. Particularly in this case where the thing doesn’t even work out of the box. In fact I’d say it’s a good reason to avoid the platform entirely.
I agree, it is a good reason. At least if you buy it physically, e.g., at Walmart, you can get a refund, or resell the game if not. It's a less risky purchase if you buy it physically.
1. Your ISP, for blocking access to a game server
2. Ubisoft, for requiring a cloud connection to play a game
3. Nintendo, for not allowing refunds for digital goods.
Seems odd to focus your blame on just one of the three.
(Instead of blaming anyone, you should get your Switch to talk to a VPN and then enjoy your game.)
The ISP didn't block the game server. Ubisoft blocked the entire ISP, so there are only two parties at fault. Presumably, they also block VPNs. Either way, switching to emulation is cheaper / easier.
I'm guessing Nintendo is more worried about Switch emulators than Ubisoft, so I think my rage is directed appropriately. :-)
Ubisoft connect is a horrific, bug ridden piece of shit on windows, too. Every once in a while I accidentally buy a Ubisoft game and every single time I spend 15 minutes fighting with the game/launcher then give up. It’s not that I couldn’t eventually get in, but it’s just… why bother? This shit should be seamless and transparent.
Of course, I bought it from the Nintendo Store, which means no refund (a charge back would get me banned from the Nintendo Store, nuking unrelated purchases).
They've definitely trained me to not buy their games. I'm strongly considering setting up a Switch emulator so I can play the title in question.