VCS Store Problems (Discussion/Tips)

[+jeremiahjt]

The zip code error finally got me.  My debit card expired on Halloween, and I lost the replacement.  I had to order a new one and it came in today.  I figured a new VCS 800 game would be a good test to see if the card was activated, but instead I got the zip code error.  It is strange how I got the error after I changed cards.

[bkumanchik]

Every time I go to use this machine there is some kind of problem! So sad.

 

[Atari_JaguarVCS]

The zip code issue is a nightmare for sure and hopefully a fix is on the horizon but i will say atleast the Atari VCS 800 actually lets you launch and play any games you do own and have installed on the system. Random but I turned on my PS5 tonight which is very rare only to find out that i could no longer launch and play Dirt 5, GodFall and my Horizon Forbidden West game save has became corrupt. I did some googling and got linked to Reddit and it seems the latest PS5 firmware update broke all these games and if you want to play Dirt 5 for instance you need to turn off the internet on the PS5 and delete your game save and start over and it seems the problem has been going on for well over a week, so anyway what I'm trying to say here is its not just Atari that is having issues even big company's like Sony with the PS5 have issues too that cant just be patched and solved in a day. The zip code issue is worse than the PS5 issue of course but id rather have the zip code issue on VCS over losing hours and hours of game save data ruined in these big games

[E. King]

 

[MrTrust]

Is it the case that nobody can buy games on the store unless their card was already saved to the console prior to this situation happening?  My card has a split in it from where the sleeve lines up in my wallet, and I want to replace it, but it sounds like the odds the store will not work if I do that are very high.

Has anyone successfully used a new card on this thing since the zip code situation started?

 

How hard could it be to just issue coupon codes through their website?  I mean, I know it isn't hard; I just don't understand why they don't do it.

[E. King]

35 minutes ago, MrTrust said:

Is it the case that nobody can buy games on the store unless their card was already saved to the console prior to this situation happening?  My card has a split in it from where the sleeve lines up in my wallet, and I want to replace it, but it sounds like the odds the store will not work if I do that are very high.

Has anyone successfully used a new card on this thing since the zip code situation started?

 

How hard could it be to just issue coupon codes through their website?  I mean, I know it isn't hard; I just don't understand why they don't do it.

I would strongly advise you to not change your card details because you could for sure end up in the zip code glitch state of mind which is a constant state of confusion and frustration.

[scifidude79]

21 hours ago, E. King said:

 

The problem with that video is the part you said (more than once) that the error was fixed. I know, you said "apparently." But, I don't think it's ever been fixed, at least not in the sense that someone identified the problem and made it go away. I think it's more likely that this is one of those bugs that, every now and then, seems to fix itself only to reappear later. I've seen things like that too often with computers. If that's not the case and someone is indeed fixing it and it keeps breaking again, then I think that person is inept and needs to find a new line of work. That also calls into question the code of the entire credit card payment process that the 3rd party company that Atari is using. My feelings that it was never really fixed come from my own experiences with it not working when others said it worked for them. (when it was apparently fixed) That alone tells me that it was never fixed, it just randomly worked again for some people.

 

The weird thing for me is, a week or two ago, I was able to buy that bowling game that came out. It initially gave me the error. Then I rebooted my VCS and the CC info was saved, even though the purchase didn't go through. That normally doesn't happen. I used the saved info to buy the bowling game. Then my CC info unsaved and I've not been able to make any purchases since. None of my attempts to replicate the freak occurrence that allowed me to buy the bowling game have worked.

 

20 hours ago, MrTrust said:

Is it the case that nobody can buy games on the store unless their card was already saved to the console prior to this situation happening?  My card has a split in it from where the sleeve lines up in my wallet, and I want to replace it, but it sounds like the odds the store will not work if I do that are very high.

Has anyone successfully used a new card on this thing since the zip code situation started?

 

How hard could it be to just issue coupon codes through their website?  I mean, I know it isn't hard; I just don't understand why they don't do it.

I'd recommend you just tape your card until this gets fixed. I've got two cads that have this issue, one is a discount card and the other is my debit card. I used transparent tape to fix both cards and the discount card is still readable by magnetic strip readers. I don't know if the debit card is, as that's a chip card. But, either way, it's a temporary fix until this situation is fixed and you can then get a new card. Believe me, you don't want to have this error stop you from buying games. It's extremely frustrating.

Edited November 21, 2023 by scifidude79

[E. King]

1 hour ago, scifidude79 said:

The problem with that video is the part you said (more than once) that the error was fixed. I know, you said "apparently." But, I don't think it's ever been fixed, at least not in the sense that someone identified the problem and made it go away. I think it's more likely that this is one of those bugs that, every now and then, seems to fix itself only to reappear later.

 

I agree with you that maybe "fixed apparently" was not the best way to describe it.

Maybe "fixed allegedly" or "temporarily fixed accidentally" would have been better.

Thanks for the feedback and for sharing your opinion on this important topic.

[zzip]

1 hour ago, scifidude79 said:

it and it keeps breaking again, then I think that person is inept and needs to find a new line of work.

Sometimes it's a regression,  it's legitimately fixed, but the fix doesn't make it to the code branches of future releases, and so when those releases go live-  the bug is back!

 

Or it could be something like a 3rd-party database that company uses for ZIP code verification has intermittent availability issues or is populated with bad data.   In this world of interconnected web services, when everything is dependent on something out of their contol to work, sometimes it's amazing things function at all.

1 hour ago, scifidude79 said:

That also calls into question the code of the entire credit card payment process that the 3rd party company that Atari is using.

Any company processing payments should have better controls in place.

[scifidude79]

10 hours ago, zzip said:

Sometimes it's a regression,  it's legitimately fixed, but the fix doesn't make it to the code branches of future releases, and so when those releases go live-  the bug is back!

 

Or it could be something like a 3rd-party database that company uses for ZIP code verification has intermittent availability issues or is populated with bad data.   In this world of interconnected web services, when everything is dependent on something out of their contol to work, sometimes it's amazing things function at all.

Yeah, I don't know anything about coding. I don't know anything about how credit card transactions work. I work in retail, but in the actual store side of things. I know I've seen the credit card readers in the store I work in do some weird things. However, if our stuff doesn't work like it should, we call in people to fix it. It's when the people getting paid to fix it can't fix it that things get annoying.

[Scuzz MB]

This is getting to the point where I've asked to be refunded the cost of the VCS, I'll return it and take a loss on the games I was able to buy when I first got it.  I'm looking forward to getting my 2600+, but this is insanity.  I was fine until I had to switch to a new debit card when I switched banks, now this has just gotten ridiculous. How in the world can they conduct business like this and how can they in good conscious still sell what stock they have left of these knowing the buyers won't be able to purchase games?

[john_q_atari]

1 hour ago, Scuzz MB said:

This is getting to the point where I've asked to be refunded the cost of the VCS, I'll return it and take a loss on the games I was able to buy when I first got it.  I'm looking forward to getting my 2600+, but this is insanity.  I was fine until I had to switch to a new debit card when I switched banks, now this has just gotten ridiculous. How in the world can they conduct business like this and how can they in good conscious still sell what stock they have left of these knowing the buyers won't be able to purchase games?

All the Black Friday buyers that can't purchase games in the store should return the console to Atari at Atari's expense. Justification being it was advertised as being able to purchase games in the VCS store but what they sold you cannot.

 

[+jeremiahjt]

1 hour ago, Scuzz MB said:

This is getting to the point where I've asked to be refunded the cost of the VCS, I'll return it and take a loss on the games I was able to buy when I first got it.  I'm looking forward to getting my 2600+, but this is insanity.  I was fine until I had to switch to a new debit card when I switched banks, now this has just gotten ridiculous. How in the world can they conduct business like this and how can they in good conscious still sell what stock they have left of these knowing the buyers won't be able to purchase games?

How long have you had it?

[scifidude79]

Sorry, but I work in retail and we have to tell people that something that they try to bring in 1 day past the return window or that they don't have a receipt or CC info on file proving that they purchased it can't return it. So, if you bought your VCS before this error prevented you from buying games and you were once able to buy games, then it's unreasonable to think that Atari will refund you for the system.

 

This is Atari's return policy:

 

Quote

Any new, unopened product can be returned for a refund within 30 days of delivery. Atari is not responsible for the shipping cost of returned items.

To start your return, please contact our customer support team: support@atari.com

They will have you locate your order number and help you print a return label. Once you have printed your return label, attach the label to your return package. If possible, use the same shipping materials that your order arrived in. Remove any previous labels and securely tape the new shipping label onto your package. Drop off your package at any facility designated by the carrier on your label.

Please note:

• Make sure you are only returning item(s) that your return label has listed. Any additional item(s) may not be appropriately processed if no return is requested.

• Allow up to 10 business days from the day the item is delivered to our warehouse to be processed.

• Refunds will be returned to the same form of payment.

If you buy something, you agree to the terms and whatnot. So, if you try to return it and it doesn't fit the criteria above, then good luck. That seems cold, but that's how retail works.

 

Now for the people brand new to the VCS buying one that they then can't buy games for, I'm not certain how that would work. They may affect whether or not they can return it. That's something they'd have to work out with customer service.

[Mr. John ColecoVision]

I can't make any purchases because of this error, it's pathetic in every sense.

[jongolo]

The zip code error is back for me and it’s so frustrating!

 

Maybe Atari should scrap digital distribution, go full-on old school, and just sell games on usb thumb drives through my local electronics store.  And for packaging Ziplock baggies would be perfect. 
 

I kid, but please I need to buy some games! 

[Atari_JaguarVCS]

I gifted a relative one of my Atari VCS 800 consoles today and he was able to set up his own account and add his card without an issue so maybe its now fixed again? I really hope it is for everyone. I've still yet to experience the issue myself and have 2 cards on my account to purchase games with. What I'm finding very annoying though is the fact that Battle Rockets got canned on the Atari VCS because people have the zip code issue, it leaves us that don't have a zip code issue unable to support the game developers and keep the lights on for the Atari VCS until the issue gets resolved, its really unfair for everyone. I keep hearing people crying for an Atari VCS 800 2 on Discord but can you imagine the utter disaster that device could be if Atari cant even fix this. The VCS itself is far more powerful than the Switch but yet it doesn't have a single game that looks close to most games on the Switch so the Atari VCS for the games its targeting doesn't even need to be more powerful it just needs the issue with the zip code ironed out and the store updated and the OS updated and more games in my opinion and then down the line maybe an upgraded console but Atari would need more staff for that as this console is held back by how small the company currently is and lack of funds available support it to its potential. 

[+MrZarniwoop]

2 hours ago, Atari_JaguarVCS said:

Battle Rockets got canned on the Atari VCS because people have the zip code issue

Can you explain what this references?

[+CyranoJ]

29 minutes ago, MrZarniwoop said:

Can you explain what this references?

I'd guess "If you can't sell your game there's no point in listing it" ?

 

VCS800 = Tiny market.

VCS800 Owners who can actually buy games = Tiny market of tiny market.

[scifidude79]

3 hours ago, Atari_JaguarVCS said:

I gifted a relative one of my Atari VCS 800 consoles today and he was able to set up his own account and add his card without an issue so maybe its now fixed again? I really hope it is for everyone. I've still yet to experience the issue myself and have 2 cards on my account to purchase games with. What I'm finding very annoying though is the fact that Battle Rockets got canned on the Atari VCS because people have the zip code issue, it leaves us that don't have a zip code issue unable to support the game developers and keep the lights on for the Atari VCS until the issue gets resolved, its really unfair for everyone. I keep hearing people crying for an Atari VCS 800 2 on Discord but can you imagine the utter disaster that device could be if Atari cant even fix this. The VCS itself is far more powerful than the Switch but yet it doesn't have a single game that looks close to most games on the Switch so the Atari VCS for the games its targeting doesn't even need to be more powerful it just needs the issue with the zip code ironed out and the store updated and the OS updated and more games in my opinion and then down the line maybe an upgraded console but Atari would need more staff for that as this console is held back by how small the company currently is and lack of funds available support it to its potential. 

After I saw your post, I tried again, and I still can't purchase games. I wonder how someone new to the VCS was able to set up a card with no issues.

 

As for your point about the VCS being more powerful than a Switch and yet having no games that compare to many on the Switch, this is true. The VCS is a very capable system, so I don't think a VCS 2 would really enhance much, since the games released thus far don't come close to using the system's full capabilities. Like you said, the zip code error is more important than trying to release a successor system. If they released a new system and it had the same zip code error, that would be catastrophic.

[john_q_atari]

I tried just now. It's still busted.

[Atari_JaguarVCS]

I don't think we will see a modern powerful Atari console like the VCS 800 again, if anything i see Atari releasing a new Atari Jaguar in the future or similar ROM dumper, kinda like what they've recently done with the Atari 2600+ which id be totally down with of course. I just feel the Atari VCS 800 the way its going will never see its full potential, especially if this zip issue isn't resolved next month, i can see the life support being pulled early next year but lets hope that's not the case. My relative was just able to set up the account and add the card like i did years ago and it worked? There in the UK to so i do wonder if people in the UK are less effected by the issue, i almost feel like removing my own payment methods and adding them again to see if it lets me, i mean if this keeps up there will be no more devs left wanting to work with the system so what have i got left to lose, it was terrible the way the Battle Rockets dev got treated by Atari totally ignored and left in limbo as to why the game wasn't published but thankfully it launched successfully on PS5, Xbox etc on the 21st of Nov and hopefully it does well on those platforms.

[scifidude79]

Yeah, Battle Rockets was by the same devs that did Ultra Mission. I looked at both games on Steam and neither seems to have a presence there. Ultra Mission, which has been on there since July of 2022, doesn't even have enough ratings for an average. But they released Battle Rockets on there but not the VCS. If they didn't release it on the VCS because of the zip code error but they released it on a platform on which they have almost no footprint, that makes no sense. There are tens of thousands of games on Steam, indie devs' games can get lost on there. But, you can do much better on the VCS, even with the smaller user base, because there are only a little over 100 games in the VCS store.

 

I'm hoping there's a fix for the zip issue soon. Every time I'm on my VCS, I check to make sure there are no more OS updates, since that may be the way they fix this.

 

7 hours ago, Atari_JaguarVCS said:

i almost feel like removing my own payment methods and adding them again to see if it lets me

I wouldn't recommend it. I never had this issue with my saved payment method. It wasn't until I moved and had to update my CC info that I ran into this problem. It really sucks.

[zzip]

4 minutes ago, scifidude79 said:

I wouldn't recommend it. I never had this issue with my saved payment method. It wasn't until I moved and had to update my CC info that I ran into this problem. It really sucks.

Yeah, my saved payment method still works.  I have a feeling if I removed it, I'd get locked out of buying games.

 

 

[Atari_JaguarVCS]

Ill leave my payment methods for now since i seen on Discord that Battle Rockets might still be launching on the Atari VCS soon, what i find baffling about this piece of information regarding the re launch of the game is that it was a normal Atari VCS user that commented to the developer that his game is launching soon on the Atari VCS, the developer still had no idea 😅. How does this VCS user know more about the launch of the developers game than the actual game developer himself, only on the Atari VCS you can find such madness 🙂