Hey guys,

Thanks to those of you that answered my last definition question of "publisher", now I have another apparently obvious question. What does "supported on" actually mean (in this case I'm talking about games supported on operating systems, though broader definitions are welcome)?

As before I'll let people offer answers prior to me stating my definition, as I'm curious to know the current understanding without presenting bias.

So there is no promise of success?

Not really, unless there is a very narrow definition of "Supported on".
The possible combinations of hardware and software is quite enormous, thus almost always we assume that you will be in the 98%+ that has no problems.
It is always though possible that you won't be able to get it working, as was evident with the IWD not working on that Dell computer a few months ago :/

So failure to get it working means "refund"?

That depends on the company. Since failures to get it running are usually rare, most serious companies will usually offer a refund, though they may ask for the license back (assuming it can be revoked). The refund may also be in the form of store credit instead of actual cash, which may or may not be desirable for you.
On the other hand, as I said, I'm offering support for mods on a game, thus I can't offer any refunds (there isn't any money to be refunded), and what I consider logical may not be so.

Of course, I'm not needling you, I'm just exploring the different definitions of the term.

My own definition (didn't take long for me to say did it) is that it's contractual, and built into the terms of sale, i.e. if it doesn't work on a supported platform, you have failed to supply the promised goods. I'm just curious what it means to the average consumer here.

In my experience it's covered by your statutory rights in the UK - thats is, if it says it runs on windows Vista, and doesn't, it breaks the product description and you're entitled to refund (in money, not credit) as it's a falsified sale, AND the company responsible can be prosecuted (though rarely they are).
I've had that situation with some games and other products in the past. It IS however not exactly the case with digital distribution... yet! - There are so many rabbit / worm / loop holes there I don't even want to think about it.

"Supported on" means to me that software should generally work on the listed configuration and support personnel are likely to help you if it does not.

I tend to ignore it and do my own research. Tough luck though if I screw up.

I've never owned a PC that could run 100% of the programs it technically should.

edit:
A refund should usually be in the cards if a supported configuration does not work and support cannot sort out the problem.

"Supported on" means: The publisher is telling the customer that the given game is supposed to run on the given platform. Hopefully that publisher has tested it before on that platform.

This is not a guarantee though, and multiple things (special hardware, driver updates, uncommon configurations or settings, etc.) may break the supposed compatibility.

With regard to refunds (as you asked JMich in your above post): The problem is that it's hard to determine whether it's the operating system that causes the problem. If a substantial number of people have trouble getting the game to run on a given platform, then it can't be written off as some uncommon configuration, and refunds are in order. If the game works for most people on the given platform, but for some it just won't - no refund if the further use of the game can't be prevented, though I'd expect the publisher's support to make an effort and help me solve the problem.

I'd love a bluetext answer, but I think we all know that is unlikely. Which in itself is ironic as it's a term GOG use to their customers.

Anyway - I was inquiring about the term, and people have responded as such. I suppose that personally I find the term deceptive, supported is not the term I'd use for most products released under that banner. I consider it an element of trust.

Anyway, thanks for replies.

I think you will get one, which will probably along this line (with OS):

Tested on a variety of machines with the most common hardware and no compatibility issues discovered based on that OS. Personal experience might vary, due to the literally countless configurations in hard and software. But any problem encountered with the game is not due to the OS with what can best be described as "standard hardware".

It is, in the end, a legally relevant term.

What is the legal relevance?

EDIT: Or more precisely, what does the term really impact on the law

Well, it depends. (Yeah, we love that sentence).

Each contract, even if it is "just" buying software. Comes with a whole slew of secondary and tertiary claims/responsibilities (What we talk about here could also be part of the primary claim, but I'm not opening that can of worms).

To put it into laymen terms (and cover over the fact that I don't know the proper English terms anymore. I mean, I interned in Ireland, it's not like they talked English there .. ;-P ), it goes something like this. Everything a company says about a product, be it a "proper product" like a car or "only" software does put them to a certain standard they need to adhere to. The EU made it perfectly clear, that any claim made even in advertising must be part of the actual product.

Software, due to the nature of software, is a really fickle bitch in that regard. Especially as it is nothing physical. But if a company says something is "supported on" or "supported by" they need to make sure that it actually is, as otherwise a customer can either step back from the contract or might even make damages count (the latter is hardly an issue with games ;-) ).

In the case here GOG pretty much makes a promise, and if ever the shit would hit the fan legally, they would need to proof that it works on that OS.

What does "supported on" actually mean?

Well, it depends on my mood.

To put it simply:
If the game box told me the game inside is supported by my currently operating system but then fails to deliver their intended purpose I going to be pissed.
Gloomy mood, random bitching, fisty shakes in combination with the usual threating and swearing follow, mostly after (hopefully not while) contacting the vendor.

So "supported on" acutally means another reason for me to be pissed when it doesn't work.