Even worse, once they open the package, they can't get their money back either.
For many people who get computer games this Christmas, the day won't be so merry. Results from over 3.5 million user tests in the past two months show that 44.1% of the time, the person's computer doesn't meet the publisher's basic requirements to run the most popular computer games.
Beside the disappointment of not being able to run the game, there is the shock that comes when a person tries to return the opened software and finds that most retailers do not accept returns of opened software packages.
Fortunately, there is a solution. Plus, it is fast and it's free.
It is a special testing website called CanYouRunIt.com (http://www.CanYouRunIt.com) and it is a free service by System Requirements Lab, who developed the patent-pending technology behind the site.
"CanYouRunIt.com provides a simple, one-click solution," said John Hussey, president of Systems Requirements Lab. "Users simply select the game they want to test, and hit the Can You Run It button. In less than 30 seconds a comprehensive report tells them if their computer can run it. If not, it displays what is wrong and exactly what is needed so the user can run the game."
An amazingly large number of computers can't run the most popular games being offered. This is because the graphic demands for games have outpaced all but the most recent personal computers' and graphic cards' capabilities.
CanYouRunIt.com was created out of the same frustration many people are about to experience this coming holiday season.
"Frankly, I was so mad, I was seeing red," said Hussey. "I had just bought a new computer and I thought I'd treat myself to a game. After installing the game, it wouldn't run. I spent two days on the phone with tech support and finally found out my graphics card wasn't correct. I thought, 'I've been in the software business since 1989, if I can't figure this out, how is anyone else supposed to?' I decided to make sure this never happened to anyone again."
The result is the technology behind CanYouRunIt.com along with a pledge to provide this service free to all web users.
"The message is this, ideally, you should always check to see if you can run a game before you buy it. And if that doesn't happen, always check it before you open the package, so you are able to return it," said Hussey.
About System Requirements Lab
System Requirements Lab (http://www.CanYouRunIt.com) provides Instant Expert Analysis, a patent pending web-based service that was launched in summer 2005. Over 16 million tests have been performed for clients such as NVIDIA, AMD, Activision, CNET, Eidos, IGN, and Electronic Arts UK.
System Requirements Lab is a division of Husdawg, LLC, a leading provider of electronic registration and customer relationship management solutions and technology for the computer software and hardware industry since 1991,