Thanks for the message!

I looked at the “cheat” post again, specifically the “MotorStorm Billboard”. As I expected, the graphic link points to SCEE’s own server.

It’s fairly easy to figure out how what occurred:

All five MotorStorm “coded” billboard (language) versions obviously HAD to be in place and working when Home came back online and the event “officially” began — which means the graphics have to get uploaded onto the SCEE servers AT LEAST a couple hours before Home reopens, during the weekly Maintenance period..

“Carla_Birch” figures out where the billboard graphics are hiding on the server, grabs it early, posts the code and billboard up for all to see… and it all goes to hell from there.

Codes will get posted no matter what, and I’m fine with this… under normal circumstances… where each code is good for up to 10,000 redemptions (a preset limit of SCEE’s software), or where all are randomly generated.

But when an event reduces this to a mere 3,000… pure GREED set in.
Users have no incentive to find codes themselves when a post provides a quicker, guaranteed reward.

While those who DID make an effort are rewarded only by glowing “no longer valid” screens.

To Elliot and other readers:

Ever have one of those moments whebn you suddenly stop what you’re doing… think hard for a bit… then slap yourself upside the forehead — “Oh bloody hell…!” — as the realization hits that you DID do something stupid earlier?

That’s what happens to me in Home a few moments ago. Why or WHY can’t the Blog have an ‘edit’ feature?

I intended to say the “MotorStorm Arctic Edge Launch Event” promotion had the problematic redemption code… NOT the PSP™go: Time Trial” event.

Umm… oops?!?

I must have suffered a temporary brain fart while writing those initial posts, undoubtedly caused by referring back and forth between this PlayStation.Blog post and the “Get your Limited MS code here to reclaim your Jacket” forum post. (In my defense, I’m also chronically ill/disabled and extremely exhausted following several worse-than-usual & painful days.)

Whatever the reason for my mix-up, the statements I made ARE still very valid, as is the fact that many MANY gamers were screwed.

By the way, the aforementioned “cheater” posting has now hit 1,720+ views… and continues its stead rise…

Further, it was reported that this code and thread were posted BEFORE the “PSP™go: Team Trial” event even went Live, while Home was still undergoing maintenance! This post now shows nearly 1700 views… this likely means at least half the codes were redeemed by folks who didn’t bother to play.

Making matters worse, even YOU encouraged folks here to “Keep an eye on the forums” and “quickly redeem it via the PC PlayStation Store.”

My apologies to those who think me a “whiner” or “bad loser”… although I wished to obtain this item, forgive me for not quickly running to the nearest forum to cheat as so many did. While I truly don’t care about the small percentage who often get codes this way; when it’s 1600+ codes — over 54% — it most definitely IS a problem.

In summary. far too many codes were obtained via “officially unsanctioned” manner(s). In all fairness to those who DID play through the event, PLEASE allow for more redemptions on this item.

Please also consider using randomly-generated codes for future events — is such can be done for AVATAR & GI JOE shirts, it certainly SHOULD be done when “extremely limited” reward items are offered.

Thank you.

First off, allow me to express my gratitude to you and the entire Home Management Team for making Home the terrific place it is today, and for continually striving to improve our user experience. Please know it’s very much appreciated.

As such, it saddens me to say that I believe there was an error in judgment with regard to today’s “PSP™go: Team Trial” event. I got together with a team, played through the trials, and we won the redemption code. However, when I went to put it in, I discovered it would not work; reportedly, “This code has already been redeemed the maximum number of times.”

Believing there was some error, I searched both this blog and the official forums seeking an answer. Apparently I found my answer: there were only 3,000 codes available, with the majority of them seemingly given away via a forum posting entitled: “Get your Limited MS code here to reclaim your Jacket.” With the codes posted in such a fashion, there is no incentive for anyone to actually play through the game to win the code; plus, most of the codes have been redeemed before legit player can do so.

[cont. on Post #75]