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Author Topic: Horizons Pulls Down Your Pants!  (Read 7003 times)
Signe
Terracotta Army
Posts: 18942

Muse.


on: August 05, 2006, 07:42:20 AM

Quote
   
Here's an update from EI Interactive. Because I had to cancel my credit card which cost me a fee, due to security concerns over this, it's too little too late. I hope it works out for all those that stay on:

'Dear Horizons Subscribers: 

Effective immediately, we will be implementing the first phase of a new integrated billing platform.  All customer accounts setup prior to August 1st, through the Pay- By-Touch system are now re-enabled.  Your customer information will be maintained on the same secure server as it was before.  As a result of this change, you now need to do nothing to have your account status maintained exactly as it was previously established.

If since August 1st, you entered a new Pay Pal subscription, it is immediately being cancelled by us and refunded.  If you sent credit card information directly to E I interactive, it has not been processed, nor will it be.  Further, any personal information collected by these forms will be purged from our systems to protect your privacy.

The second phase of our billing platform will be introduced in the near future, this enhancement will also allow for Pay Pal payments, for those customers who would like to use their Pay Pal account.  Our customer service department will be responding to any alternative payment requests received, as always we will work to support your needs.

As many of you know, there were numerous issues with previous Horizons billing including a lack of flexibility, subscribers being prematurely or double billed and a lack of confirming emails. This was a substantial enough issue for E I Interactive to take action on as an early priority. We assure you that your service will not be interrupted and we apologize for any concern this multi-step process may have caused.

Your thoughtful understanding and patience is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Account Support Group
EI Interactive

Evidently, all 17 of those who are left play had their personal details, including CC info, exposed to scrutiny  for about 12 hours or so by anyone who wanted to look!  Including bad people!  They haven't bothered to let people know that they were actually compromised.  People were able to look at personal information, however.  Here's a log of an IRC meltdown discussion.  Evidently, like the old dev team, information is passed through IRC and not on the official website like it should be.  Dumbasses.  Anyway, sorry but this is really long!  DANU is the Chairman of IE, from what I understand.

Quote
(20:13:15) DANU_EI: Hi all
(20:13:16) gopher: How's the billing situation going? Any word?
(20:13:20) DANU_EI: Howdy Gopher
(20:13:27) DANU_EI: I read your posts
(20:13:41) DANU_EI: Billing is always a challenge
(20:14:12) gopher: Please post something then Danu
(20:14:19) gopher: At least a "we are looking into this"
(20:14:25) DANU_EI: The first issue is security, then accuracy and convenience follows pretty quickly on the tail of it
(20:14:33) gopher: It will help to reassure your player base if you do so.
(20:14:57) DANU_EI: Dark has made some comemnts and is going to run a post
(20:15:25) DANU_EI: Let me say we have had many reports of duplicate and erroneous trial billings under the old provider
(20:16:18) DANU_EI: The new hybrid system will allow secure entry via paypal, which if you ues prudently apperas very safe.
(20:16:19) gopher: I have seen no posts on the forums by Dark
(20:16:40) DANU_EI: In news and on forums later this evening whilst trolls sleep
(20:16:41) AA0: Danu.. there was a old bug that existed that billed trial accounts, but was fixed, the complaints still come because it was recent
(20:17:50) Abus_Altar: sry I won't use paypal it is not secure\
(20:18:04) DANU_EI: AAO send me a pm i love to listen
(20:18:12) Frid`s-laptop: what is 'not secure' about paypal?
(20:18:29) Abus_Altar: too many scam run against it request info
(20:18:30) DANU_EI: Abus we will disagree but will agree to direct bill you and accept your check
(20:19:20) Abus_Altar: I had 3 such scam that tryed to claim being from paypal
(20:19:29) DANU_EI: Abus if you particpate in a scam email request from chase bank or paypal that is the problem not your data being left unsecure at paypal
(20:20:04) DANU_EI: I have received dozens a week from many institutions
(20:20:04) Abus_Altar: what about a simple secure CC eb=ntry site?
(20:20:27) Plink: Why not both?
(20:20:33) Abus_Altar: that is all we really need
(20:20:50) Abus_Altar: but has to secure
(20:20:58) Abus_Altar: be*
(20:21:09) DANU_EI: we are planning a new set of options including direct pay and secure entry, these will take time to go through verification
(20:22:13) Seranthor: At the risk of sounding snarky and incuring wrath from you wouldn't that have been advisable to do prior to implementation of this new billing system?
(20:22:38) DANU_EI: I encourage anyone who is concerned to PM myself and I will figure out a way to accept your form of payment , I could use bronze bars on my hatchling in order
(20:23:34) DANU_EI: Seranthor at the risk of being snape like I suggest Horizons didn't have 3 months for me to authenticate servers before we closed the purchae!
(20:24:56) Seranthor: as it currently stands I cant see when my current 3 subs are due for billing next, and respectfully I refuse to give my CC info to Paypall or enter it in a non-secure system.
(20:25:05) AA0: Does that mean secure CC billing isn't coming for a while?
(20:25:11) DANU_EI: I apologize for upset to anyone this has caused,
(20:25:36) Solanaceae: DANU_EI: Can you clarify how to update billing information for accounts that have more than one subcription attached?
(20:25:47) DANU_EI: seranthor please PM me I will get dates and
(20:25:56) Solanaceae: http://horizons.eiinteractive.com/account_update.htm mentions per-subscription but not how to do so.
(20:25:57) DANU_EI: respond
(20:26:25) Peaches: I have notified Danu about accounts that are linked
(20:26:36) Solanaceae: ah, kk.
(20:26:41) Ophelea: AA0, the issues caused with the billing Tulga just went through were caused by Pay-by-Touch coming into federal compliance. As of today, that is no longer the case. This is will not last for long as banks will beging refusing the ability for Horizons customers to use credit cards to pay for their subscriptions.
(20:26:58) DANU_EI: we are working on linked accounts to make this easier for you all
(20:27:27) Ophelea: The FDIC will not allow a grace period for the compliance as the grace period has passed.
(20:27:41) AA0: This just isn't acceptable..
(20:27:51) Peaches: pardon me? what right do banks have to not allow us to charge for horizons?
(20:28:02) Ophelea: they issue your credit cards
(20:28:10) Solanaceae: Ophelea: So you're saying that fed law now prevents me from buying subscriptions to online games using my visa card?
(20:28:17) AA0: yep, you have to handle things how they say. Period.
(20:28:20) Peaches: or my debit card??
(20:28:47) Ophelea: they will not take the responsibility of unsecure transactions when they're liable for the charges
(20:28:51) AA0: Only if the billing procedure isn't compliant
(20:29:04) Ophelea: so, if the billing isn't compliant, they will not approve the vendor
(20:29:19) DANU_EI: I think the simple solution is if you are uncomfortable with paypal we will have customer service help you through it with direct pay
(20:29:21) AA0: Don't worry, it like only takes a month to set up paypal
(20:29:35) Ophelea: hence the changes Tulga went through with Pay-by-Touch who waited until the last week of the grace period to become compliant
(20:29:52) Ophelea: At the moment, Horizons is not only not compliant, but inherently unsafe
(20:29:57) DANU_EI: paypal accounts are able to be established by a customer immediately'
(20:30:08) gopher: Danu: that is not true
(20:30:13) Peaches: I really find it hard to believe that they can tell us what we can and cant charge, but I will wait and see, meanwhile, Danu, I am at a loss as how to approach this n ow with my accounts
(20:30:15) gopher: Paypal accounts have to be verified
(20:30:22) Solanaceae: Ophelea: Can you give me something to google so I can know if I need to write an angry letter to shelly berkley or not?
(20:30:23) gopher: it takes a month to verify them
(20:30:25) AA0: yes, which takes a month
(20:30:29) Abus_Altar: that is true gopher
(20:30:35) Peaches: my husband opened ojn etoday and it is all set to be used
(20:30:49) DANU_EI: I s there anone who has a specific question for me?
(20:30:50) gopher: so anyone wanting to join HZ will now have to wait a month to be able to pay
(20:31:04) gopher: they will have to be REALLY interested in the game to do that
(20:31:06) Peaches: <Peaches> I really find it hard to believe that they can tell us what we can and cant charge, but I will wait and see, meanwhile, Danu, I am at a loss as how to approach this n ow with my accounts
(20:31:26) gopher: Frankly, I think you just screwed yourself out of a future playerbase though ignorance and incompetence
(20:31:27) Peaches: can I use credit card with pay pal for horizons?
(20:31:29) gopher: but that's just me:P
(20:31:30) Ophelea: Peaches.....your BANK takes all the risk for your credit card.
(20:31:31) DANU_EI: No you can log into paypal and use your credit card immediately!
(20:31:34) gopher: yes Peaches
(20:31:36) Dotcher: Solanaceae: http://usa.visa.com/business/accepting_visa/ops_risk_management/cisp.html are the requirements
(20:31:38) Abus_Altar: will there be a secure CC site?
(20:31:38) Ophelea: Not you
(20:31:40) Peaches: thank you danu
(20:31:42) Lycaunoss: you need secure CC transactions DANU or you are going to lose half the subs
(20:31:43) Solanaceae: Dotcher: Thank you.
(20:31:55) AA0: half.. at least
(20:32:09) Lycaunoss: that's not optional in most peoples minds
(20:32:14) Peaches: aao, its the banks fault, not Danu's fault
(20:32:15) DANU_EI: secure cc transactionsa re available thru a paypal screen thie minute
(20:32:19) Dotcher: http://horizons.eiinteractive.com/update_cc.htm is out of compliance on points 3 and 4 of Protect Cardholder Data, at the very least
(20:32:22) AA0: It is EI's fault
(20:32:25) Ophelea: So, if EII does not provide a compliant site, your BANK will not allow charges to be made because it puts your credit card number out there on the net
(20:32:32) Lycaunoss: in addition to the feeling of unease that if you cannot have secure updates how can the info be secure
(20:32:33) gopher: Danu: only people in the US can use that Paypal system you set up I believe
(20:32:38) Anti_Eden: unfortunately, the half that continues to subscribe will do so due to lack of understanding the consequences of using an unsecure credit card transaction ofrm online.
(20:32:39) Ophelea: right now, credit card numbers can be captured.....
(20:32:45) gopher: so no austrialian players for isntance
(20:32:53) DANU_EI: We have a large number of international accounts at Savage eden
(20:33:06) AA0: they will only sub until the bank shuts them down
(20:33:08) DANU_EI: Using the same billing system
(20:33:16) Ophelea: Danu, enter your information and I'll read it all back to you, letter by letter
(20:33:20) gopher: oh? I could be wrong about that I suppose
(20:33:36) tramsan: Wait a sec. The new billig system uses ordinary, unencrypted HTTP for credit card forms?
(20:33:42) Anti_Eden: yes Trams
(20:33:44) Ophelea: it uses text
(20:33:46) tramsan: ...
(20:33:56) gopher: Yes trmasan
(20:34:01) Lycaunoss: sorry Danu my credit info is so wicked important to me paypal doesn't cut it and right now EI doesn't either
(20:34:03) tramsan: Wow. Fabulous.
(20:34:03) DANU_EI: Can I suggest the paypal system is easy and secure?
(20:34:05) gopher: please do not put in your CC info:P
(20:34:07) Lycaunoss: I'm not willing to put myself at risk
(20:34:16) tramsan: Not a flipping chance, gopher. =P
(20:34:20) Tathar: Also Danu, a billing system that isn't secure isn't a good idea
(20:34:31) gopher: Danu: until you get a secure system, just take down the insecure system. Leave the paypal one up:P
(20:34:40) tramsan: What gopher said.
(20:34:55) tramsan: If you can't provide adequate security, you should remove the option entirely.
(20:35:06) DANU_EI: OK so if someone wants to play and doesn't trust paypal we will provide a direct bill option.
(20:35:40) Ophelea: Danu, it's not only that it's not secure, it's out of compliance
(20:35:49) Ophelea: you're breaking the law simply by offering it
(20:36:04) Abus_Altar: sry my 5 accounts will not be renewed untill there is a secure cc site
(20:36:09) Steelclaw: dude, your site is broken
(20:36:13) gopher: LOL
(20:36:18) Plink: hehhe
(20:37:05) Dotcher: That server is also claiming that it runs Apache 1.3.20, which is known to have remote code execution vulnerabilities... if the data is being stored on that server, then there's a good chance even a not very skilled attacker would be able to get to it and read it
(20:37:08) Steelclaw: do you think you can take down the update forms untill you can get a https server up?
(20:37:11) gopher: it is just flowing right over his head!
(20:37:21) Ophelea: Correct, Dotcher
(20:37:22) ***gopher shakes danu, trying to make him understand
(20:37:34) Steelclaw: so people that dont know any better arent sending their financial info unencrypted?
(20:37:34) Dotcher: and if I'm reading the text correctly (I'm not a FrontPage expert by any means), the data is being captured to that server
(20:39:36) Anti_Eden: using that unsecure form is the same concept as writing your account information on the front window of your house. it's only "secure" if people aren't looking. If someone decided to turn their head and notice, you're screwed.
(20:39:46) DANU_EI: ok i think I have heard desires of these troops
(20:39:51) Dotcher: and even if you use PayPal, http://horizons.eiinteractive.com/account_update.htm is just as insecure... I'd rather not have my home address going out on the wire unencrypted, either
(20:40:07) Steelclaw: heh desires?
(20:40:29) Steelclaw: no. we're telling you something is broken, we're telling you how to fix it. its not a desire. its covering your ass
(20:40:30) Ophelea: Danu, the apache version you're using means that the paypal address is open to capture
(20:41:02) Ophelea: they're not indicating desires...it's security deficient
(20:41:19) DANU_EI: we will turn off cc entry and allow the form to become printable in next several hours and use snail mail to carry that information to EI office.the f
(20:41:21) Lycaunoss: yep this is not a desire it's a total deal breaker
(20:41:22) Khoal: If the Apache version is open to capture... can anyone be certain CC data hasn't already been stolen?
(20:41:45) SnarkyElvis: another good question Khoal.
(20:41:52) Dotcher: Khoal, there's no guarantee
(20:41:55) Peaches: we went directly to paypal to create an account
(20:41:59) ***Ophelea cringes
(20:42:00) AA0: wow, thats gonna lose so many subs
(20:42:00) Lycaunoss: why not just set up a secure site?
(20:42:06) AA0: like.. wow
(20:42:35) Frid`s-laptop: well, besides the little to no interest in HZ by and large, and little outside knowledge of the flaw to begine with...
(20:43:31) AA0: I'm not mailing my cc info anywhere either
(20:43:37) Abus_Altar: I love game this but I'm not willing to risk my security
(20:44:15) Kumu_Honua: CC by snail mail?
(20:44:34) DANU_EI: Well if someone wishes to continue playing we will accept a check in the mail as well....\
(20:44:39) Kumu_Honua: The moo will no longer be in Istaria.
(20:45:17) Frid`s-laptop: hopefully it won't take very long to get a secure site up.
(20:45:20) Steelclaw: looks like your (old) apache server can handle secure pages. ... uh on second thought, dont do that.
(20:45:22) Tathar: Danu: We need https for credit card forms, not http.
(20:45:40) Steelclaw: openssl 0.96b
(20:45:43) Tathar: that's essentially what's being said
(20:45:46) DANU_EI: Understood
(20:46:17) Steelclaw: i know theres a worm that exploits an old version of apache+openssl of that vintage
(20:46:36) Ophelea: SC, correct. That's what Dotcher was saying.
(20:46:40) Steelclaw: yeilds a remote compromise
(20:46:48) Tathar: I have a couple weeks left on my subscription for you to work it out
(20:46:48) Steelclaw: not root
(20:47:08) Steelclaw: but if you're storing credit card info in a file readble by the httpd, its just as bad
(20:47:29) Dotcher: there's at least one remote execution vuln in that version, I didn't dig through the release notes for more
(20:47:31) DANU_EI: We will accept paypal as a secure form of entering creit card payments and direct billing outside of web environment
(20:48:00) Steelclaw: that works for now
(20:48:03) Kumu_Honua: Paypal requires that you have a bank account. I do not have a bank account. Still no moo.
(20:48:09) ***Tathar would rather not use paypal...
(20:48:13) Abus_Altar: so then there is no chance of a secure CC site ?
(20:48:15) Steelclaw: just get the insecure forms off.
(20:48:37) DANU_EI: We are willing to have a customer service rep post your account manually and receive your check
(20:48:39) ***Tathar knows that secure credit card forms are not impossible, other sites do it.
(20:48:57) Khoal: 0.o Manually?!
(20:49:16) DANU_EI: we will add secure credit card in future, Paypal is here now
(20:49:17) gopher: Kumu, I don't think Paypal requires you have a bank account. You can enter either bank or credit card info for them
(20:49:22) Steelclaw: heh whether they can do it or not isnt the issue right now. the issue is that there are people using those insecure forms and transmitting their financial data in plaintext
(20:49:28) Seranthor: DANU_EI how soon into the future?
(20:49:29) Kumu_Honua: They do gopher. At least the last time I looked into it.
(20:49:34) DANU_EI: Verification of system and site is under way.
(20:49:42) Peaches: thank you Danu
(20:49:45) DANU_EI: and takes weeks
(20:49:46) ***Tathar thinks that secure credit card forms are a necessity now, not later
(20:49:49) Steelclaw: take them down now.
(20:49:57) Anti_Eden: i'm not trying to be snarky here. i'm sincerely curious. who's the server guy at EI? Did he really and truly believe that setting up an unsecure credit card form was acceptable? Because I'm finding it hard to believe that there would such little respect for the playerbase. What was the reasoning for this unsecure site to be allowed to go live at all?
(20:49:59) gopher: ... hmmmm.... as far as I know, I didn't enter any bank account info into Paypal. let me go check
(20:50:26) tramsan: Paypal works fine with only a cc card.
(20:50:41) tramsan: I've used it like that myself once, a long time ago. =P
(20:50:41) Vel: There remains a problem with sending a check via the mail and having someone enter it "manually" into the system. That still gives you my bank account information in what is obviously not a secure setting.
(20:50:43) DANU_EI: I believe a credit card is minimum requirement for paypal not a bank account
(20:50:43) LO: Why are the vulnerable pages still up and why am I unable to access my account iformation when my subscriptions are paid until January?
(20:51:21) DANU_EI: your bank account information is not entered into a server.....your payment is poted as received
(20:51:37) Kumu_Honua: Either way. Paypal is not an option I am comfortable with. No moo.
(20:51:38) DANU_EI: posted
(20:52:00) gopher: "[19:46] <DANU_EI> I believe a credit card is minimum requirement for paypal not a bank account" I believe you are correct on this at least. Either a CC or a Bank account. You don't need both
(20:52:03) DANU_EI: So moo... send me an email as to how yo wish to pay.
(20:52:07) Ophelea: LO, That requires nightly synching with Pay-by-Touch
(20:52:47) gopher: Ah, so EI was unwilling to continue dishing out money to PbT?
(20:52:58) Anti_Eden: a moo-less Istaria isn't an Istaria at all......
(20:53:14) Kumu_Honua: Danu - It's simple. I wish to pay by credit card.
(20:53:45) Kumu_Honua: Securly. Without a 3 day wait period between "You can't log in" and "We have now received your payment".
(20:53:46) Ophelea: No, there were unfinished changes with Pay-by-Touch that are still on Blight and others taht were never delta'd in
(20:53:59) Tathar: Same as Kumu.
(20:54:14) Ophelea: Without the ability to prop the changes, they couldn't continue to use PbT
(20:55:09) Solanaceae: I want to pay with my visa card, like I did before, like how I do in every other game I play. Without having to have extra stuff that can fail, break, and double charge my card.
(20:55:20) Plink: What about those of us that paid by credit card BEFORE the announcement about today? How do I know my information is SAFE?
(20:55:40) Seranthor: exactly what Solanaceae said, goes the same for my 3 accts.
(20:55:46) DANU_EI: Information is purged from server into site
(20:55:54) DANU_EI: into on site fiel
(20:56:22) Plink: You're not convincing me DANU. You don't even sound like you know what you're talking about. Sorry.
(20:56:39) DANU_EI: What is your question
(20:56:54) Plink: What about those of us that paid by credit card BEFORE the announcement about today? How do I know my information is SAFE?
(20:56:57) tramsan: The truth is, Plink, you can't be.
(20:57:11) Blue:
(20:57:13) DANU_EI: Plink you can ask CTO any question you wish
(20:57:16) tramsan: If it was unencrypted anything could have happened to it.
(20:57:25) LO: Now that you have stated that you are aware of the vulnerability of the site pages, are you accepting responsability for any theft or misuse of the information transmitted and stored by those pages?
(20:57:45) Anti_Eden: Danu: the best thing you can do right now is this - pull the unsecure forms down right away. Then meet with your server guy. Find out exactly what your billing process is, write up a statement, and then either post it, or come back in here and let us know exactly how things are going to be handled.
(20:57:54) tramsan: It is, quite literally, sent as plain text over several routers, any of which could have intercepted it by chance. A very slim chance, granted, but still there.
(20:58:14) Steelclaw: or your cable network
(20:58:20) Plink: You need to post the breach in security. Your customers have the right to know that.
(20:58:20) tramsan: Yeah, that too..
(20:58:33) tramsan: Basically, anywhere on the path from your computer to Verio.
(20:58:35) Steelclaw: like.. when your neighbor is running a trojan
(20:58:36) tramsan: Er, *limelight
(20:58:37) LO: As long as those pages are up, you are placing your customer's information at risk
(20:58:49) Anti_Eden: at a very high risk.. willingly.
(20:58:50) Plink: You can't just say, we don't know what happened and expect to be believed.
(20:59:19) tramsan: Personally, if I had used that page I would cancel that card and request a new.
(20:59:27) LO: They do know, Plink. That's the issue
(20:59:38) Plink: Well mentioning in IRC isn't enough.
(20:59:49) Steelclaw: side note: storing the billing/financial info plaintext on the server side isnt good either
(21:00:01) tramsan: not the very least
(21:00:25) Steelclaw: especially if its dumped into a file that the web server can serve if someone knows the right path
(21:00:30) DANU_EI: The page is down and will be edited then brought back up and changes announced
(21:00:38) Steelclaw: thank you
(21:00:46) DANU_EI: Please consider paypal
(21:01:07) DANU_EI: we have accepted many forms of payment for Savage eden and kept mcustomers happy
(21:01:18) AA0: Savage Eden isn't horizons..
(21:01:20) Kumu_Honua: Irrelevant.
(21:01:23) AA0: don't treat it like it is
(21:01:25) AA0: never..
(21:01:31) Steelclaw: the page is still up :/
(21:01:35) Plink: It is.
(21:01:43) Plink: Lying is a good idea at this point.
(21:01:46) Anti_Eden: for those that might be interested...... http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/ChronDataBreaches.htm
(21:01:47) Plink: er isn't.
(21:01:57) DANU_EI: he is pulling it down now
(21:02:16) DANU_EI: plink lying is not a good choiice of words
(21:02:45) Plink: I'll be calling my bank tomorrow to reverse some charges.
(21:02:50) DANU_EI: I believe you can listen and make your own calls
(21:03:10) DANU_EI: So people play asherons call , savage eden and Horizons
(21:03:10) Peaches: <DANU_EI> he is pulling it down now are his current words
(21:03:24) Steelclaw: i sent email to info@eiinteractive.com detailing some of the problems with the implmentation
(21:03:29) DANU_EI: some people are slow typists like me
(21:03:37) DANU_EI: most people are reasonable
(21:03:48) Kumu_Honua: <DANU_EI> The page is down and will be edited then brought back up and changes announced
(21:03:55) Kumu_Honua: Sounds like he said it was down to me.
(21:04:10) DANU_EI: we try real hard to take care of people
(21:04:27) Steelclaw: please fix them. please buy a signed ssl cert, upgrade and secure your server software and billing database implmentation
(21:05:11) LO: Glad to hear that, Danu. There are a number of people with support issues posting in the forum help section that have not been responded to yet.
(21:06:26) Steelclaw: secure the data on the server side. encrypt it, guard the encryption keys. if you want some advice, reply to my emails
(21:07:32) LO: As long as you are here, I'd like a direct answer about what my five annual subscriptions are going to be buying for the rest of the year. Does EI intend to develop and implement new content and game systems, or will we be having live GM-run events only and no further actual development?
(21:08:21) LO: If you are going to be doing actual development, how long will it take you to have a team in place to begin learing the game system and code?
(21:08:23) DANU_EI: Is the site downnow/
(21:08:38) Kumu_Honua: Yes.
(21:09:03) Steelclaw: yeah
(21:09:04) DANU_EI: Ok I apologize for speaking 60 seconds too qucikly
(21:09:18) Steelclaw: heh it forwards to a 403/forbidden page
(21:09:25) LO: No account information is available, however
(21:09:31) DANU_EI: Will be abck up shortly
(21:09:36) AA0: heh, it loads and forwards
(21:09:49) Steelclaw: so uhm.. can the meta refresh tags be removed from the https://horizons.istaria.com pages?
(21:09:58) Steelclaw: disable your meta refresh
(21:10:07) Steelclaw: er. disable allow meta refresh
(21:11:55) DANU_EI: We have a team being built and plan to add new content and in game live events
(21:12:38) Abus_Altar: That is great Danu I hope I can
(21:12:42) AA0: Which type of new content?
(21:12:46) Abus_Altar: play
(21:12:53) LO: And adding game features that require client, server, or simulation programming?
(21:12:57) DANU_EI: The team still needs an artist and an additional programmer
(21:13:15) DANU_EI: server and client team is in place
(21:13:45) LO: Will you or will you not be recruiting players and entrusting them with WM poers to run these events?
(21:13:54) AA0: Client team is a new employee? or old EI one?
(21:14:27) DANU_EI: Simulation programming is going to be a combination of old tulga and new EI for a period of time
(21:14:36) Plink: Contracted with Jason E on that.
(21:14:40) Lycaunoss: that's great news Danu
(21:15:02) Frid`s-laptop: Please tell me you got Eubank to stay @_@
(21:15:25) AA0: Jason would give the client hope..
(21:15:28) Abus_Altar: I for one will be happy to give you time to get your team up and running ..as long as I can figure out a way to pay
(21:15:50) DANU_EI: Abus can you mail me a money order?
(21:15:59) Plink: That annoucement needs to go public. I can't begin to stess that. Covering it up, will only lead to trouble.
(21:16:12) LO: I do hope your team is as good as you think they are. My primary concerns are the game being abandoned to stagnate or being run as a part time project.
(21:16:39) Plink: Can we trust you people to take a money order now?
(21:16:41) Solitaire: Plink, I think the forums will take care of it being very very public within an hour or two. ;P
(21:16:47) Abus_Altar: I was on monthly billing I just don't see doing that every month
(21:16:53) Peaches: *nods* to Solitaire
(21:17:10) DANU_EI: Plink which announcement?
(21:17:29) Plink: That you were storing Credit Card information in an unecrypted text file.
(21:17:53) Plink: I don't think you understand the full extent of what you did.
(21:19:23) GM_DarkEnigmaa: The text file was removed
(21:19:58) tramsan: Still has to be announced what happened.
(21:20:20) LO: Is it EI's intention to advise the player base of issues like this only in game? The only official statement I'm aware of other then this conversation was a comment made by Dyn in the Chaos MP.
(21:20:54) Plink: Either EI makes the anoucement, or someone else is going to announce it for them.
(21:21:05) DANU_EI: The details of how anyones information is being sotred can be directed through Darka nd admin suport will answer directly.omething that
(21:21:08) LO: Frankly, trying to communicate with the playerbase only in game is just asinine
(21:21:25) DANU_EI: We are not communicating throught hte game only
(21:21:33) Peaches: if you would all let him finish, then we can comprehend what is being said
(21:21:34) Plink: Game and here?
(21:22:07) DANU_EI: we use the news page and the forums as well as game manager
(21:22:09) LO: I just checked the forum and the community page. There has been no comment on this by EI personnel as of yet
(21:23:04) DANU_EI: We try to reach the players for their input in game as many do not go to the forums
(21:24:28) DANU_EI: Ok I am not signing off but would like a
(21:24:34) LO: Danu, that is understandable. Even commendable. However, EI seems to be ignoring the forums and any method of communication other then in-game
(21:24:51) Steelclaw: "Due to an error on our part, your billing and personal data may have been exposed to an unauthorized third party..."
(21:28:10) DANU_EI: Guys I am patient and understand stress, i have apologized for any inconvenience
(21:28:36) Abus_Altar: we know thxs
(21:36:53) DANU_EI: Anyone have any other questions
(21:37:49) LO: Not a question, but I'm looking forward to seeing a clear and convincing demonstration of EI's willingness and ability to implement new content and game systems
(21:37:50) LexDivinia: Do we have an update posted anywhere as to the current status? I was not here for prior questions
(21:38:03) LexDivinia: in reference to billing that is
(21:38:30) DANU_EI: Lex pm dark
(21:38:31) GM_DarkEnigmaa: Zack@eiinteractive.com
(21:38:42) DANU_EI: he will answer questions directly
(21:39:03) DANU_EI: we are accepting paypal fro secure credit card payment
(21:39:12) ***Steelclaw writes that one down (heh. no brainer)
(21:39:13) Peaches: thank you Danu
(21:39:26) DANU_EI: If you dont trust paypal we will take a check or a money order
(21:39:33) LexDivinia: I just want to know if I am going to be charged as soon as I update my info?
(21:39:52) DANU_EI: We are going to charge on anniversary sates
(21:39:58) DANU_EI: dates
(21:40:05) Peaches: anniversary dates?
(21:40:10) GM_DarkEnigmaa: for a paypal payment Plink?
(21:40:12) DANU_EI: renewal
(21:40:23) Peaches: okies
(21:40:40) Plink: To send you a check or money order and have it applied to account and not someone elses.
(21:41:01) Vesh: Vesh = Mad @ Horizons
(21:41:04) DANU_EI: Plink maybe you should find a nother game
(21:41:10) Rolynd: You can send 'em one to apply to my account
(21:41:12) LexDivinia: butif I enter info to PayPal, does it not automatically make a payment?
(21:41:28) Plink: I think that was the wrong thing to say DANU_EI...
(21:41:52) GM_DarkEnigmaa: Check and money orders are not stored on a text file Plink
(21:42:00) Plink: Should I quote you on that when I talk to my bank tomorrow?
(21:42:20) LO: Man, if you can't handle Plink, Seranthor is going to clean your clock...
(21:42:33) Khoal: the words can't be taken back. might as well use them, Plink
(21:43:25) Plink: But I'd say in addition to answers to my questions. I'd like to see an apology.
(21:45:12) DANU_EI: Plink I truly hope you will play Horizons and will some day be willing to send a money order to EI
(21:45:43) DANU_EI: I am going to chaos unless someone has another question
(21:45:53) LO: Anyway... Danu, Dark, as of yet there is still no mention of this in the forums. If you are wanting to get as much communication with the playerbase as you say, why are you not using the forums as well as IRC as well as in-game dialog? It seems contrary to your premise.
(21:46:10) DANU_EI: I repeat I need bronze bars in order
(21:46:38) DANU_EI: LO we are trying to get to all avenues
(21:46:58) LexDivinia: the first place many of us look before logging in each day is the forums.
(21:47:05) LO: I look forward to seeing an expanded forum presence then.
(21:47:10) GM_DarkEnigmaa: I'll pop in on order for a bit =D
(21:47:11) ***Steelclaw wouldnt mind paying his sub with in game resources
(21:47:28) Tathar: the first thing I look at is the stand-alone auncher
(21:47:50) Vesh: Ok, I have a question
(21:48:13) Vesh: I've heard there's a problem with the Creative X-Fi sound cards. Is that going to be looked at?
(21:48:28) GM_DarkEnigmaa: Vesh is that in the PM, i'm almost to you
(21:49:27) AA0: there are still sound bugs in game though, so something isn't right with the sound engine
(21:49:28) Vesh: I've just heard from different people that there's problems with X-Fi and Horizons.
(21:50:05) Khoal: old drivers do not interfere with HZ. new drivers totally bork it
(21:50:21) Vesh: Looks like I should find even older drivers then?
(21:50:44) Tathar: guess it's my old drivers then
(21:50:47) Frid`s-laptop: try the original CD?
(21:50:58) Vesh: Yup
(21:51:03) LO: My only issue with EI is that I do not wish to see the game left to stagnate. What I have seen is EI's statements so far concerns me greatly, as I don't see that you have the ability to add new content and game systems. I would very much like to see that impression disproved, gentlemen.
(21:51:46) Michael_Dyn: LO: I joined EI after being with Tulga Games. I would not have joined the team if they did not intend to add new content to the game.
(21:52:42) LO: I understand and appreciate that
(21:53:39) LO: I put a lot of effort and time into writing quests. I believe in this game. I do not want to see it die of neglect
(21:54:45) AA0: My quest is on indefinite hold..
(21:55:27) AA0: stopped at page 5 or so
(21:56:03) LO: As are a few of mine until a QC department comes in, some artists are hired, and my access to the quest editor is restored
(21:56:34) AA0: you can't access it?
(21:57:02) LO: My login was disabled
(21:57:04) Solitaire: I don't know if mine would have ever made it into the quest editor, but I found little desire to work on it lately.
(21:57:09) AA0: huh, mines fine
(21:57:48) Steelclaw: theres a few quests id like to do, and an emblem to introduce
(21:58:06) LO: My original istaria.com login still works, but I can't work on anything I authored on my main
(21:58:48) AA0: I've done psuedo code stuff, no input, heh.. simple anyways

My source is their own website.  (I'm sure everyone just  Heart's me for posting all this rubbish!   smiley

My Sig Image: hath rid itself of this mortal coil.
ahoythematey
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Reply #1 on: August 06, 2006, 12:49:02 AM

Your thread looked lonely so I thought I'd give it a post with which to chat.  I don't care for Horizons any more than I care for chronic diarrhea.
Signe
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Muse.


Reply #2 on: August 06, 2006, 07:39:00 AM

Thank you, sweet boy. I understand it's a weekend and all but I think everyone is just being mean.  They had time to post rubbish in the politics thread, didn't they?  I dislike Horizons, too, which is why I liked my post.

Thank you for the sympathy post.  The rest of the lot here can bugger right off.  They're dead to me.  You're the only one named in my will.

My Sig Image: hath rid itself of this mortal coil.
Strazos
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Reply #3 on: August 06, 2006, 08:36:17 AM

Can I get a "lol, internet"?

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Kail
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Reply #4 on: August 06, 2006, 10:19:59 AM

Quote
(20:40:29) Steelclaw: no. we're telling you something is broken, we're telling you how to fix it. its not a desire. its covering your ass
(20:40:30) Ophelea: Danu, the apache version you're using means that the paypal address is open to capture
(20:41:02) Ophelea: they're not indicating desires...it's security deficient
(20:41:19) DANU_EI: we will turn off cc entry and allow the form to become printable in next several hours and use snail mail to carry that information to EI office.the f

Their credit card information page is unencrypted.  Solution?  Print out a copy of the page, fill it out, and mail it to them.  Awesome.  I wonder if we need a modem to play this game, or can I just tell them what I want my character to do via telegraph?
stray
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Reply #5 on: August 06, 2006, 10:59:08 AM

The rest of the lot here can bugger right off.

I just can't be bothered to read it. Too many words and stuff.

Does it have anything to do with Horizons using that porn company to handle their billing (or did they change that)?
Righ
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Reply #6 on: August 06, 2006, 12:25:06 PM

Nope, that was far too secure, they decided to implement something worse. They now expect you to pay online with an unencrypted form. This creates legal and financial liabilities for both the merchant and the consumer. So, now they're even one step behind those Romanian nutjobs in business sense.

The camera adds a thousand barrels. - Steven Colbert
schild
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Reply #7 on: August 06, 2006, 12:27:54 PM

People involved with Horizons NEVER let me down.
Signe
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Reply #8 on: August 06, 2006, 06:37:15 PM

There was another IRC session where DANU stopped in and made sure people knew that Horizons was, in it's attempt to establish a tradition, being run by complete and utter oddballs. I won't post it because it's long and I know most people here don't like long things.  This team, true to Horizons' form, do use the official forums, even though the forums are moderated.  Someone from EI has to read and approve every single post.

Really.  It's true.  I don't know why they're so paranoid... Schild doesn't hang around there anymore.

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Signe
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Reply #9 on: September 01, 2006, 09:42:54 AM

Things like this are beginning to pop up sort of regularly:

Quote
EI Interactive - Dude, we want to steal your money!
For those of you who don't know me, allow me to tell you a little something about myself. I'm a gamer, notably MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games)

I have played many games over the years, from Everquest to World of Warcraft to Saga of Ryzom, you name it and I've probably at least run the trial. This post, however, is about a little game called Horizons and a little company called EI Interactive who insists on becoming my "arch enemy" of sorts. Please, allow me to elaborate.

On July 21, 2006 EI Interactive purchased the MMORPG Horizons. Horizons is a struggling niche game with only a few thousand subscribers. I could go into all the reasons why I love that game, but I wouldn't want others to rush to try it only to be burned by the current owners. Anyway, my original intent was to ride out the change in ownership and see how it went, but I came into a little financial trouble.

So at the end of July I began to attempt to cancel my account. Let me describe to you, my friends, how this went.

Late July 2006:

I go to the account management page on the istaria.com website and attempt to cancel in the "normal" method for this type of game. Hmm, it would seem that page does not work. I have no subscription listed, therefore nothing to cancel. The only option is to enter in a credit card number and I'm not about to do that...I'm trying to cancel, not subscribe again!

I put in a support ticket. I'd seen quite a few complaints that these weren't being answered, but what the heck, might as well give it a shot.

I go to http://www.eiinteractive.com/contact.htm and call every phone number listed. You'll note that there are no longer phone numbers listed on that page, nor is their Montana address listed. Wonder why they removed contact information? That's an odd move for a "reputable" company. All phone numbers I called led to one of two places: a circular automated system with no valid choices, or a line that rang more than 15 times before saying "all circuits are busy" and then disconnected you.

I emailed every available email address stating I wished to cancel my account. I never got any response to those emails.

I waited. At that point, there was nothing further I could do but wait and hope that they got my account cancelled. You can reasonable assume from this post that my waiting was in vain.

August 9, 2006:
I get billed for $12.95. The charge overdrafts my account! EI in one action ensures I will never play Horizons again.

I post on the forums located at community.istaria.com/forum and posted accusing them of fraud. I also emailed again every available email address, gave them all of my contact information, and accused them of fraud.

Edward Andercheck, chairman of EI Interactive and other companies, called me personally at work. Sounds good, right? Oh no, not good at all. You see, Mr. Andercheck's primary concern in calling me was to brow beat me, threaten to sue me for libel, and in general repeat over and over that it was not fraud. His attitude was absolutely atrocious. He was condescending, arrogant, abrasive, and generally very difficult to communicate with. He told me multiple times to shut up when I was trying to direct the conversation away from his lecture on the definition of fraud and back to what was important, my billing issue. He did, however, agree to refund my bank account for the money they billed me.

Just to cover my bases, I filed a complaint with both the Better Business Bureau and the Internet Crime Complaint Center and, at the advice of my bank, filed a charge dispute with my bank. I requested a complaint form from the Montana Attorney General.

EI refunded my charge. I canceled my dispute with my bank, and had my bank refund the overdraft fees associated with that charge. The complaint form from the Montana Attorney General never arrived, but I let it slide. It looked as though EI Interactive might be at least attempting to get billing straightened out since they put up links for cancelation and billing problems. Oh but wait, my story does not end there!

What did I wake up to this morning? If you said ANOTHER charge from EI Interactive, well you'd get the gold star of the day!*

I have NEVER entered into a billing agreement with EI Interactive. At no time did I click, sign, or agree to, any billing by this company. The EULA I agreed to every time I logged into the game said Tulga Games, the billing screen I signed up with originally said Tulga Games. At no time did I agree to maintain my subscription and I have in fact attempted through every available avenue to CANCEL.

Edward C. Andercheck can claim libel all he wants, this is fraud pure and simple. You can censor me on your forums EI Interactive, but you can't silence me everywhere! I'm not afraid of you, nor will I be brow beaten as I was last month.

Source

The other day I read a post on their official board about another woman who was charged five times for each of her two accounts and could not get a response from the company at all.  They don't answer their phones or their emails and there doesn't seem to be any working support.  I can't find her post anymore... I think it most have slipped by the moderators and has since been deleted. Not surprising.

My Sig Image: hath rid itself of this mortal coil.
HaemishM
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Reply #10 on: September 01, 2006, 11:12:58 AM

He played Horizons. If that wasn't horror enough, he probably should expect to get all his money taken.

Signe
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Muse.


Reply #11 on: September 01, 2006, 11:38:03 AM

Someone directed me to this little gem today.  It was posted a couple of weeks ago.

Quote
THREATS TO EI STAFF & MODERATORS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED:

These forums were shut down on Friday night for a number of hours after a death threat was received by our Lead Moderator from a forums user. We have copied all database evidence, which is now being forwarded to law enforcement. The user making this threat has been permanently banned and removed from these forums and all thread and posts originated by this user have been deleted.

Moderators of these forums and IRC chat are volunteers who have kindly given of their time to make these communications channels possible for Horizons subscribers. Continued threats or other harrassment of EI moderators and other personnel will result in the complete shutdown of these forums and IRC chat.

This announcement is the final warning on this subject.

Raymond Rask
President & CTO
E I Communications Corp.

I know it's rude to snort, but....

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shiznitz
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Reply #12 on: September 01, 2006, 01:34:52 PM

I just love how this customer openly admits the game is in dire financial straights yet is surprised when the company acts like it is dire financial straights.

I have never played WoW.
HaemishM
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Reply #13 on: September 06, 2006, 08:54:45 AM

I love it when they act like Horizons is a game worth paying for.

Morfiend
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Reply #14 on: September 06, 2006, 01:55:37 PM

Put this thing out of its misery already. Sheesh.
Signe
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Reply #15 on: September 06, 2006, 09:29:33 PM

I'm also confused why it's still around. 

Bowman's company, Tulga Games, seems to have disappeared, by the way.  I guess they dumped it and ran as fast as they could.  It's probably a good move.  I wonder what happened to the thingy with Peter S. Beagle?  Did he get screwed out of money yet again?  I bet he did!

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Yegolev
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Reply #16 on: September 07, 2006, 06:34:55 PM

I wonder what happened to the thingy with Peter S. Beagle?  Did he get screwed out of money yet again?  I bet he did!

I hear he has moved into a mountain cabin with Gygax.

Why am I homeless?  Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question.
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