Several months ago I pre-ordered the SW:TOR CE. I was very excited about this game, and after playing for the last 2-3 days, I remain excited. Somehow Amazon managed to get me my CE today instead of 4 days from now. I'm not sure how they did this, or if it was allowed, but I've opened the box, put my codes in, and I'm not complaining about getting it early. The rub came at the first step I've listed. When I opened my CE box, something seemed amiss:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg337/scaled.php?server=337&filename=img1698i.jpg&res=medium
Perhaps this was intentional, an effect to illustrate the creeping insidiousness of the Sith and their dark ways. I held out hope that the little authenticator could overcome. However, closer examination worried me:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg846/scaled.php?server=846&filename=img1701a.jpg&res=medium
The corruption appeared to be more extensive than I had thought. But, like a true Jedi, I had faith in the little authenticator, that it would do the right thing for the Republic (of me).
Sadly, my faith was misplaced. The little authenticator had succumbed to the temptations of the Dark Side, and was beyond my reach:
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg859/scaled.php?server=859&filename=img1702t.jpg&res=medium
On a more serious note, this is completely unacceptable. None of the other contents of the box were damaged, and the packaging was completely free of any blemishes. This implies that the product was damaged during packaging, and Amazon and UPS were in no way to blame. The lack of care is, quite frankly, both disheartening and disappointing. Considering both the amount that was being charged for the CE, and the types of fans that purchase CEs in the first place (Yes, I know, we're quite insane), one would think that all possible care would be put into making sure that something like this didn't happen.
EDIT: There were some very informative posts from people who have more experience with these devices than I do, and I feel better knowing that there is a very good chance that the device was actually broken in transit due to changing temperature and pressure conditions. Also, the forum rep response was greatly appreciated. I haven't heard back from C.S. yet, but so far I am much less disappointed than I was when I posted this