I don't think the issue is digital vs retail, what pisses me off is that there is still 3days difference. I'm pretty sure they got the discs ready to be sold but because we non-americans are obviously horrible, horrible people I guess we'll have to take this [censored], again and again and again..

I just have a problem with the fact that in this day and age I pay the same (alot of times, more) and still I need to put up with a delay? Because it apperantly takes 3 days to fly over the atlantic?

It's also possible that the reason for the delay is based on contracts that are years old. From before Digital Distribution was common or even possible.

I'd guess that it also has to do with Europe being treated as a single zone, so the release date has to be agreeable to the retailers from all the countries involved. In North America the US is so large it pretty much dictates the rules for these things to all other countries in the zone.

Actually you are correct. The game you are probably thinking about is one such as Killzone 2 which released 2 days earlier in Europe than in North America. bliviongate:

Don't forget the whole STALKER series that was released weeks before in Europe before it got to the US.

Silent Storm is another...

Gothic 1 and 2..

1701 series..

And the list goes on..

Wow so many pitchforks are out, but nobody wants to do anything. Why not write a letter, that is no email but a letter on paper in an self addressed stamped envelope, and mail it to your member of goverment. Ask them why, and see if they will explain it to you.

Just because you do not like Brick and Mortar Stores, other people do. Then again, there are millions of people who beleive we shouldn't play video games. Why not make them happy and stop making video games then? Why should something be done, just to make the people who can't wait 3 days for a release? I believe every single person who complains about waiting for 3 days, has more problems than just waiting to play a game.

It is one thing asking why, but another to go hell bent and nerd rage about it. Get a life, explanations are given, and now they are not good enough for you? Go get a life. Hell stop playing video games, and go outside and do something instead of nerd raging on the forums.

Obviously, Bethesda regards the rest of the world the same way they regard PS3 owners. As scum.

No. It's a matter of principle. If I pay the same as an american for a product, why should I have to wait 3 days longer than them? Because I live in another populated part of the world? Please explain how you think that is fair.

I am pretty damn sure that if the roles were to be reversed there would be just as much [censored]ing from the american side, and rightly so!

No, I have not seen any explanations. I have seen speculation. Now if a member of marketing or something came in here and told me why, I'm sure they would be good reasons too, that would be just fantastic. Fact is though, this has yet to happen and so I will continue to inquire.




About the horrible part, I forgot to use the facetious pink color. I ment nothing by it bro.

That anology is a bit odd, as no restaurant would do that, for obvious reasons. Your problem is more with Steam, who have been generally poor with European release dates. They still fail to unlock games at the correct times for European countries, as they seemingly operate only on PST. I don't think any other Digital Download sites put up the wrong release date for the European. Steam having already taken your money is another reason I never preorder using Steam, it's substantally cheaper and less hassle for me to buy from Amazon/Play/Gameplay.

Stay off the forums and gaming websites until you get your copy? It wouldn't bother me that it's a few days extra as long as I'm not hearing other people playing and discussing it all the time. We've been waiting for months, what's a few more days.

So for the last week (month... year), I have been looking forward to playing New Vegas today. I was sitting at uni writing some assembly language thinking, this is all worth it because I get to go home and play New Vegas. Then bam, find out someone decided to push back the digital release date to Friday, past the retail release date of Thursday.

So not only do Australians pay more for the digital copy (I know there are many threads on this, but it needs to be pointed out to make my point), but it is now getting released a day after retail. Add to this if you're not with the right ISP you have to pay (sort of) to download the game.

Seriously, what is the point of Bethesda using digital distribution if they insist on it being worse than a retail copy in nearly every way? Two of these problems (compared to retail) can be removed to make digital distribution more attractive, but certain (not all) publishers decide to remove these advantages for only some people in the world. It wouldn't be so bad if it was either cheaper, or had an earlier release date (only by a day or something), but it has neither.

It just boggles the mind. Boggles.

It's not locked because it's against the rules. It's locked because there's 47,000 threads on the subject already. You're just asked to use those.

In Australia we get the privilege of paying $90US for the game (more expensive than stores. And much more expensive than the US. Yay for Australia tax), and now the release date is after the store release.

What's the point of digital distribution if the reasons why DD is better get destroyed by companies like Bethesda? I love their games, but some of their business decisions are a bit annoying.

My pre-ordered copy for the PC has been sitting in my local FedEx distributor warehouse for the last few days waiting until the 19th to deliver it...even though it was purchased with "2 day" shipping. I suppose I could drive 30 miles to the local FedEx distributor and pick it up, but I am too lazy. They probably had orders to hold all Walmart copies until the 19th lol

Australians who buy this from a brick and mortar store on Thursday are going to be in for a surprise. Because it's Steamworks, they can install it Thursday, but it will be locked until Friday.

LOL @ me canceling my preorder, saving myself $40 then getting a friend in the US to gift me the US version.

I live in Australia. It has nothing to do with tax. Games wre at that price when our dollar was worth US 50c. All other electronic medium has reduced in price substatially other than software. Use your dollar effectively and purchase overseas. There are many reputable companies that will deliver. I would rather wait 1 week and get the game at a reasonable price than pay double to get the game on time as everyone else. If you whinge then pay their inflated price anyway there is no reason for companies to change.

As for the unlock time - there is no reason for it to change. Why should a company like steam limit itself if it provides a superior option.

Post checked - no mention of country bashing or other unmentionables - only affirmative action of consumers. Remember your dollar means a lot especially when many countries are in economic troubles.

Discussion of piracy will be deleted and those discussing it may be warned. The bashing of countries will be deleted and those posting it will be warned. I'm starting two pages back so you will have a bit of time to edit your posts before I get to them. I suggest you do so or face a warn. If it continues you lose your last chance to have at least one topic for these discussions.

the term "Australia tax" is just a euphemism for the price hike we get in Australia. it has to do with supply and demand, we are willing to pay more for games, so we do.
recently, companies like valve have started to mix it up, but then companies like bethesda (and activision) decide to throw this out the window and implement the Australia tax; which is why we see games like new vegas, MW1 and MW2 almost double the price between US and Australia for what seems like no reason.

understood. That said I dont think it is about supply and demand. I think it is about the Australian consumer being lazy. I recently bought a new GOW3 limited editionfor the ps3 as it was heavily diso[censored]ed. Across the isle there was a used regular edition for $5 off the full retail price. I asked the store why would anyone buy a used lesser copy for some $40 more and they agreed it was silly but that was their policy. There are so many Australians who have bout off steam at full $80 US price when you can get it delivered for $55-57 with delivery included. Everyone wants everything yesterday. Companies need your money to survive. No one needs any particular game to survive. It is not an essential to life.

I started this thread to ask the question 'Why can't digital copies be unlocked at the same time?'

So far I haven't seen any credible explaination why digital copies have staggered unlock times besides the old excuse 'Because they don't want to affect bricks and mortar stores' sales.'

Which when you get down to it is quite silly. People who prefer digital downloads don't buy from B&M stores while those who want a physical box won't touch a digital download. As for those who want the Collector's edition they can only buy it in stores so they don't enter into the equation.

I can't see any valid excuse for staggering digital activation besides old release practices where you had to wait for the games to physically reach other countries so you left activation until they got there.

In the digital age it should be a single activation date for those who paid for the privilige of a digital copy.

The high Australian price on Steam is not Bethesda's, Obsidian's or Valve's fault. The cause of the high price is the local distributer of the game. They have forced the Steam price up to match (or be higher) than the local retail cost so they don't lose sales to players buying directly through Steam.

Because it could be any number of things and the only folks that know for sure are the CPA's and top managers of companies and nations who are unlikely to come here and make a list. I am sure if it were an easy feat you would not see later releases in Eu for games made in America nor later releases for the US for games made in Eu. Every delay in sells costs them money. I'm sure they desire release at the earliest possible time. There is no money to be made in delays. Not ever. So the reason is in maybe customs, import taxes and how they are carried out or maybe rating boards or laws about fair market. It's nothing we members here nor even the community manages can get a quick answer to nor at this point would they have the time to give us an accounting of their expenses and their timetables even if they could. And the answers more than likely lay across several depts.

One thing thought, the release date has been known a very long time and has not changed. http://pc.ign.com/articles/109/1096930p1.html

If they can't get enough copies to rest of the world for 3 days, they could push the release date for USA back 3 days.
Simple as that. If you cannot push one date forward, push another date back.

Instead we have system where some customers, many of whom are paying MORE for their game than US customers, being treated as second class people by delaying their reception by 3 days.

If Bethesda had been smart about it, they would give one date which they are confident they can stick to globally. Instead we get people feeling offended, which while being partially fixed once release date comes, will still linger there as feeling of resentment in the subconscious for percepted slight by Bethesda.

Yeah, Steam has completely screwed Australia over again.

The last time I prepurchased a game on steam was when they not only released Borderlands late, but also gave us the no gore version.

Now the game is coming out AFTER the stores are set to release it.

Seriously, how can you screw something up so damn bad that you tell the retail stores to release on the 21st, and then turn around and lock it until the 22nd.

I rely on the release date at the places I pre-order from and in this case it was Steam who said the 19/10/2010 (19th October) was the release date. Then literally just hours before it was to unlock I suddenly find that I have another 3 days to wait with no excuse except some decision saying only people in the Americas can play on the 19th.

It is just infuriating to have to sit here and watch everyone playing and know I have everything I need to play but Steam just won't unlock it.