It turns out Call of Duty: Black Ops 3's Nuketown map is a GAME exclusive
UPDATE: Activision changes wording of support website as backlash intensifies.
UPDATE 6th November 2015: Activision has changed the wording of its support website as the backlash over the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 multiplayer map Nuketown has intensified.
Yesterday we reported that Nuketown is a GAME-exclusive pre-order bonus in the UK - if you buy the physical standard edition.
Many customers were not aware of this fact, thinking instead that all who pre-ordered the game would get Nuketown.
Official marketing trailers mentioned Nuketown was a pre-order bonus, but it's the easy-to-miss small print buried at the bottom of the image at the end of the video that specified GAME had nabbed it as an exclusive.
We also reported on Activision's official customer support website which, as of yesterday, said "all players" who pre-ordered were guaranteed the map.
But at some point between our story going live and now, Activision changed the wording to specify the need to pre-order with "participating retailers". It's a bit late for that now the game's out.
Here's an image showing the updated support website:
And, just to be clear, here's a side-by-side comparison:
Meanwhile, the backlash over Nuketown's availability in the UK is growing. Now Black Ops 3 is on sale, reports are flooding in from angry customers who were disappointed to find their copies did not include a Nuketown code.
Activision's support Twitter is bearing the brunt of the complaints:
Now, Eurogamer has been contacted by a handful of angry players who plan to report Activision to the Advertising Standards Authority over what they believe has been "misleading" advertising.
We've contacted Activision for comment.
The situation is exacerbated by reports that some Xbox One players can't get Nuketown or the Zombies Giant maps working - despite having a code for the former.
Activision's said it's aware of the issue and is working on a fix.
ORIGINAL STORY 5th November 2015: You'd be forgiven for thinking that if you pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, you'd get the eye-catching Nuketown multiplayer map. But that's not necessarily the case.
Much of Activision's advertising for Nuketown suggests all pre-orders guarantee the map. Just look at the company's official support website.
This says "all players" who pre-order or pre-purchase Black Ops 3 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC get Nuketown.
But as ukvgdeals points out, that's not quite right - at least in the UK.
We asked Activision for clarification, and we were told that in the UK, Nuketown is a pre-order exclusive to GAME.
That's annoyed a number of Call of Duty fans in the UK who pre-ordered with other shops, such as Amazon, expecting to also get Nuketown. Black Ops 3 costs £49.99 on PS4 and Xbox One at GAME. Amazon's selling the game for £42.
Here's what Activision sent over to us:
This suggests GAME's exclusive deal for Nuketown, which, according to the small print at the end of the official trailer, below, expires spring 2016, is tied to the standard edition of the game. So, if you get the PS4 console bundle, or the Hardened or Juggernog Editions, you'll get Nuketown.
Also, if you pre-order the download version of the game, from either the PlayStation Store, the Xbox Games Store or Steam you'll also get Nuketown.
If you do that, though, you'll pay through the nose for the game. Black Ops 3 costs £54.99 from PSN and the Xbox Marketplace - well above what you expect to pay for the physical version.
