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NHL GameCenterLive bug

by Mr_Heywood_Jablomi Nov 28, 2014 6:55AM PST

I am very annoyed.

For those that do not know, NHL GameCenterLive is a pricy $100 service that hockey fans purchase to watch games over the net.

It works in a net browser on a computer, as well as on smartphones and tablets, and other devices.

When the service works, it is glorious. When it fails, it can evoke rage. That is where I was, ten minutes ago.

Now I am just angry.

I was watching the Flyers v. Rangers in bed on my iPad. No problems, I watched the first two periods, clicking out of the app between stanzas to do something else, as I do not enjoy watching commercials until the game resumes.

The last time that I did this, GCL refused to let me watch the video stream. It was maddening. The app shunted me to a page inviting me to upgrade to GameCenterLive, even when the buttons on the page all reflected that I had already done so.

So the app was not confused. This has happened to me several times using this service. You just never know if it is going to work flawlessly, or antagonize you to the verge of mania.

No matter what button that I clicked, and I tried them all, the app would cycle me right back to where I was, and it refused to let me access the game stream.

This is a bug, a setting somewhere in their server software.

So I pitched a fit and wrote snippy complaints to their tech support. They responded with automated pablum.

Fine. I wrote a negative review, slamming the service, on iTunes, where I purchased it.

NHL GameCenterLive costs a hundred bucks for a single season. You are supposed to get a discount for renewing, but another glitch foiled that for me, so I ended up paying full price for the third year in a row.

Whatever. Now, all that I want is for the service to let me rejoin a game in progress.

Is that too much to ask? For a hundred bucks?

This is the fifth complaint that I have posted about GameCenterLive. I wonder how many negative reviews that it will take before they realize that my warnings against purchasing this expensive service will cost them more than finding a way to mollify me?

Somebody needs to offer redress. I spent a hundred bucks, and they have succeeded in making me very angry.

I forgot to mention the best part. I went back to the app and tried again to access the video stream. Bam. No problem. The app let me in to watch the last five minutes of the game.

It blocked me for fifteen minutes, for no discernible reason. Then it decided that I could rejoin the game in progress.

Maddening.

I do not recommend that anyone purchase GameCenterLive. Not unless you enjoy being tormented.

Have a very hockey day!

Heywood Jablomi

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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So what about Net Neutrality issues?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 29, 2014 2:54AM PST

What if your ISP is degrading your packets? Many providers have been caught playing with the packets, blocking sites on a whim etc.
Bob

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Interesting thought.
by Mr_Heywood_Jablomi Nov 29, 2014 10:24AM PST

I watched another game last night, Rangers v. Flyers.

I was using my iPad Air, home Wi-Fi. Shortly after beginning, the video feed froze up. "Here we go," I thought. So I turned Wi-Fi off, and the iPad automatically switched to 4G. Smooth. Holding my breath, I watched the entire game without mishap.

I did not click out of the game, and then attempt to resume, as would be my preference. I watched every stupid commercial, endured the inane between periods hockey chatter of the announcers. I just wanted the service to work.

So the service did not boot me, and the tech just worked, the way that it is supposed to.

You just never know how the service is going to perform.

I try to imagine the resources required to deliver so much video to so many viewers. Got to be staggering. I complain at the hundred dollar cost, but it probably does not cover what it costs NHL Interactive to provide the service. They probably have to tap into TV advertising funds to make GameCenter Live financially viable. I am just grateful that the service exists.

I would purchase NHL Center Ice if I had the option. It is not available where I live. I am stuck with GameCenter Live. I do not patronize illegal streaming sites. I pass no judgement. I just prefer not to subsidize illegal streaming.

I strongly favor a deregulated internet, where we let capitalism and free markets determine winners and losers. But as you point out, this leaves ISPs free to meddle in the data of customers.

In this case, the fact that the service turned smooth when I switched over to 4G suggests that my problem last night is with my router. I am not technologically advanced enough to intelligently fiddle with router settings. When my data slows, I turn it on and off, rebooting it, and problems typically resolve.

I am moving to a new residence soon. I think that I will put my current ISP on hold, and try a competing service. I will buy a new router.

The next game is in a couple days. I am under no illusion that GameCenter Live has heard my complaints, nor that they would care. We shall see what happens.

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There are ways to stabilize routers.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 29, 2014 11:12AM PST

I wrote router code decades ago and with the move to little boxes I find the best settings are the defaults then secure the WiFi (WPA2 with AES protection.) Then for the 802.11n, if that is trouble I set the router back to 802.11g. That's all of 2 settings so most folk can try that. Yes, it's sounds like tech TLA goobleygook.
Bob

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Thank you
by Mr_Heywood_Jablomi Nov 29, 2014 5:24PM PST

That is actually helpful, Bob. I thank you for that. I need a new router anyway. The technicians that installed this one told me that it was too old to even take a current firmware upgrade, and they recommended that I replace it.

I blew them off because most of the time it just works. I have had to restart it every couple of days for the past month, though. I figure that the NSA snoop ware on it is bitching the connection. Happy

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Glad you understood a fraction if not all of that.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 30, 2014 11:31AM PST

Many routers lock up when we turn on MAC address filtering and more. I find pulling the WiFi back to 802.11g only to be my best trick setting.
Bob

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