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General discussionAnnouncement: Big Preorders & Launch Day Releases Coming!(4041 posts)(4041 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted February 21, 2014
The DRM-Free Revolution Continues with Big Pre-Orders and Launch Day Releases!

Good news! GOG.com is going to bring you more fantastic launch day releases, preorders, and other exciting new content from some of our favorite developers. We've lined up 3 big titles that we will be bringing to GOG.com in the next couple of months for sale or preorder that we think will be hits with all of our gamers; and we have more equally exciting games coming up soon.

If you've been a member of the site for a long time, you may recall that when we launched sales of The Witcher 2 on GOG.com, we had to add in regional pricing. The game cost different amounts in in the US, the UK, the European Union, and Australia. We're doing something like that once again in order to bring you new titles from fantastic bigger studios. Since we don't accept currencies other than USD on GOG.com right now, we'll be charging the equivalent of the local price in USD for these titles. We wish that we could offer these games at flat prices everywhere in the world, but the decision on pricing is always in our partners' hands, and regional pricing is becoming the standard around the globe. We're doing this because we believe that there's no better way to accomplish our overall goals for DRM-Free gaming and GOG.com. We need more games, devs, and publishers on board to make DRM-Free gaming something that's standard for all of the gaming world!

That brings with it more good news, though! As mentioned, we have three games we're launching soon with regional pricing--two RPGs and a strategy game--and while we can't tell you what they are yet because breaking an NDA has more severe penalties than just getting a noogie, we're confident that you'll be as excited about these games as we are. For a limited time, we will be offering anyone who pre-orders or buys one of them a free game from a selection as a gift from GOG.com, just like we did for The Witcher 2.

If you have any questions, hit us up in the comments below and we'll be happy to answer (to the best of our ability).

EDIT: Since we've answered a lot of the common questions already here (and lest you think that we've ignored you), it may be handy for you to check out the forum thread about this and search for staff answers by clicking this link here. (hat tip to user Eli who reminded us that the feature even exists. :)
Posted February 22, 2014
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timppu: Even though I dislike regional pricing, it isn't normally a similar deal-breaker for me like DRM is (e.g., DotEmu sells its games in euros, so do they have regional pricing already? If they do, that hasn't stopped me from buying DRM-free games from them
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PixelBoy: They do.

From their last promo email, the first featured game (DotEmu Collection 1) the prices are:

original: 14.99€ / $19.99
discounted: 4.50€ / $6.00
Hmm, but to me it seems they have tried to counter it, by keeping the euro price "lower". What I'd normally expect on many stores in similar cases is the game costing 19.99 both in euros and USD (in which case the euro version is much more expensive). The normal €=$ conversion.

However, I just realized that maybe it is usually the "US-only" promotions that irritate me the most. I think people mention also here some super-sweet deals in e.g. Amazon.com and EA Origin.... and naturally they always seem to be US-only. I don't get it, why not offer similar deals to e.g. European customers (at least in the case of Origin, which sells also to Europe directly)? Why are such sweet deals and promotions a great way of doing business in US, but not in EU?

But I guess these are a bit different matter than the normal "regional pricing".
Posted February 22, 2014
high rated
Ok, so, I'm in Switzerland.

Steam thinks this country is part of the European Union (it's not),
and that we use EUR as a currency (we don't).

If the regions are the same, I suppose we'll have the privilege of
having the wonderful European pricing.

For a game like Divinity : Original Sin, sold at USD 39.99, the
European price is fixed at EUR 39.99.

EUR 39.99 is USD 54.94 - that 37% more than the US price.

It's a big difference. It doesn't really matter anymore if the game
is sold at all in this region : asking someone to buy it elsewhere
and send it to us is just cheaper, even (for physical goods) with
customs taxes.

DRM-Free is important, as long as the game is buyable at a fair
price, otherwise, I don't see the point.
Posted February 22, 2014
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jorlin: I'm more worried about the precedent that this will create and how the publishers will (ab)use that in the near future
GOG's management isn't stupid. They know that GOG will loose awful lots of customers, in the very moment of dropping DRM-free policy. IMO this is more important thing.
Posted February 22, 2014
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diceyy: If this affects witcher 3 its going to be hard for me to justify getting it via gog instead of steam.
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d2t: lol - but it was already a case 3 years ago for TW2 on GOG.com!
3 years ago namco had them by the short and curlys. Hopefully they've learned and are in the position to do the right thing with their own games. If not, steam gets more money and they get less.
Posted February 22, 2014
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jorlin: I'm more worried about the precedent that this will create and how the publishers will (ab)use that in the near future
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vojtasass: GOG's management isn't stupid. They know that GOG will loose awful lots of customers, in the very moment of dropping DRM-free policy. IMO this is more important thing.
I'm not talking about GOG going DRM'ed here, please don't bend my words. I'm talking about the new leverage that publishers will have when (re)negotiating a deal on discriminating price levels based on the precedent which was created to get more AAA games, thereby abandoning a very important principle.
GOG Management may not be stupid, but they chose to take a huge risk and they presented it sugar-coated.

By the way, TeT: Respect for how you handle this and try to give answers that will alleviate our worries without breaking NDA's and going against the GOG management. I do not envy your position right now. And again, thanks for the humour :-)
Post edited February 22, 2014 by jorlin
Posted February 22, 2014
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vojtasass: The choice is simple: if you want to see more DRM-free games, but most of all, if you want to see constant prosperity of your favourite digital store, they you should TRY to understand GOG's point of view. I hate regional pricing on Steam. But I know that Valve is doing very well and nothing can't change that for some time. Gabe has extremely strong position in negotations. GOG doesn't have such comfortable situation. But don't worry - GOG will not drop DRM-free policy, because that would mean massive outflow of customers.

Anyway just wait and see how much these new games will cost.

BTW - it's really sad to see, how ungrateful people are after everything GOG did.
Couldn't agree more. Don't like the pricing? Wait for a sale like everybody else.
Posted February 22, 2014
high rated
The big question for me is, how this regional pricing is going to be enforced. I do not see how publishers can be stupid enough to leave large holes like inter-regional gifting. And there is a very straight and obvious path from closing these holes to Steam-like regional locks and full-scale DRM.

This is a step in a very wrong direction, GOG.

I'd like to repost this formerly inspiring and now very ironic video from the related community wish thread (sorry if it's been posted here earlier): www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6P3yOTR2Vc&t=1194
Posted February 22, 2014
high rated

BTW - it's really sad to see, how ungrateful people are after everything GOG did.
At the end of the day GOG don't owe me shit and I don't owe them shit. I am not the sheepish fanboy that says Steam/GOG etc or GTFO. I will buy the games that interest me from the location that I want. Amazon / Steam / GMG / GOG / Humble Store / Developer Direct / Origin / dodgy CD-Key reseller - they are all shops - and I will shop around for the best deal for me.

Anywhere that uses regional pricing is bumped to the bottom of the pile - unless there is no alternative (I had my Steam account unlocked ages ago, and as such I can purchase from regions that I don't reside in) / I can plug a fake address into Amazon / hell, I can buy from dodgy cd-key resellers.

I will go to the place that offers me value for money - if for me that's DRM Free - well I'll be looking at GOG
If it's price - I'll go where I can get the game cheapest.
Regional pricing be damned - I AM NOT GOING TO PAY EXTRA JUST BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN THE US
Post edited February 22, 2014 by Bigs
Posted February 22, 2014
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Russonc: I agree with those who say wait and see, if you like what comes out each day/week/year then make a purchase; if not, don't. GOG can't stay in business at all just selling the best 100 old games for $4.99 forever and has to find ways to add product to their catalog...I mean really, don't most of the long time GOGites (or whatever we are called) already have all the good old stuff?? I like that they support some of the new indies stuff, and always look at what comes in new....doesn't mean I'll always buy them, but I like a choice. I've gotten old games on steam that don't work on newer computers, that GOG thankfully gets working for me.

Just not sure why all the "this is the end" type talk....I hope this will strengthen GOG's ability to remain viable in the marketplace.
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Gearmos: I respect your opinion but regional prices won't affect you since you're from US. And like I said, this sets a precedent for the rest of publishers. And now we have "the best 100 old games for 4.99$ (3.59€)" but maybe in near future we will have "the best 100 old games for 4.99€ (6.93$)". A 35% price increase. :-/ And maybe "the end", like you said.
Sales in the long run will decide if they made a wise decision or not...Companies that last have to adapt. If they raise prices (just by raising them across the board or through something like regional pricing) and people stop buying; then they will not stay in business (which reminds me I need to back up all my GOG games this weekend ;} ) I do feel for countries that have higher prices and as a consumer, I would certainly look for the best price if all things are considered equal... Steam (like it or hate it) has great deals on games I could get here on GOG...since I don't mind Steam, I get games there at times....if price is equal or GOG makes the game work better on my PC or better bonuses, then I consider GOG.

I guess it's all hypothetical a this point anyway, as the announcement only mentions New/First release games (and only 3 so far...) Hope for the best and go with the flow!
Posted February 22, 2014
high rated
Oooo 3 big titles? We couldn't live with ourselves unless you abandoned your principles to give us 3 big titles now could we? Thanks for nothing GOG.com. DRM is the standard, why don't you switch to that too?
Posted February 22, 2014

BTW - it's really sad to see, how ungrateful people are after everything GOG did.
avatar
Bigs: At the end of the day GOG don't owe me shit and I don't owe them shit. I am not the sheepish fanboy that says Steam/GOG etc or GTFO. I will buy the games that interest me from the location that I want. Amazon / Steam / GMG / GOG / Humble Store / Developer Direct / Origin - they are all shops - and I will shop around for the best deal for me.

Anywhere that uses regional pricing is bumped to the bottom of the pile - unless there is no alternative (I had my Steam account unlocked ages ago, and as such I can purchase from regions that I don't reside in) / I can plug a fake address into Amazon / hell, I can buy from dodgy cd-key resellers.

I will go to the place that offers me value for money - if for me that's DRM Free - well I'll be looking at GOG
If it's price - I'll go where I can get the game cheapest.
Regional pricing be damned - I AM NOT GOING TO PAY EXTRA JUST BECAUSE I DON'T LIVE IN THE US
Agreed
Posted February 22, 2014
Let me explain to you why this is stupid. Person 1 an American buys a game for $30 USD walks away happy. Person 2 is from Australia but you have regional pricing and you only accept USD so they pay $40 USD. Since other countries exist where USD isn't used currency conversion goes into effect, now they just paid approximately $45 AUD. So not only did they pay your "regional pricing" they also had to pay for the currency conversion because you don't use AUD. Do you see the problem here?
Posted February 22, 2014
Darn, one world, one price was a very big part of why I always check GoG first before buying games elsewhere. In general I buy from GoG, if not available here I buy from either the dev directly or Steam. Usually, because of One World, One Price I would wind up buying at GoG as being in the UK it was marginally cheaper on GoG than on Steam.

No more :-/
Posted February 22, 2014
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vojtasass: The choice is simple: if you want to see more DRM-free games, but most of all, if you want to see constant prosperity of your favourite digital store, they you should TRY to understand GOG's point of view. I hate regional pricing on Steam. But I know that Valve is doing very well and nothing can't change that for some time. Gabe has extremely strong position in negotations. GOG doesn't have such comfortable situation. But don't worry - GOG will not drop DRM-free policy, because that would mean massive outflow of customers.

Anyway just wait and see how much these new games will cost.

BTW - it's really sad to see, how ungrateful people are after everything GOG did.
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Mordecai_the_Mad: Couldn't agree more. Don't like the pricing? Wait for a sale like everybody else.
Even on sale we're screwed. Us will get games for 2.5usd while we'll get them for 4.
Posted February 22, 2014
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WoodMan: Darn, one world, one price was a very big part of why I always check GoG first before buying games elsewhere. In general I buy from GoG, if not available here I buy from either the dev directly or Steam. Usually, because of One World, One Price I would wind up buying at GoG as being in the UK it was marginally cheaper on GoG than on Steam.

No more :-/
Seems like a good plan still....If GOG is still the cheaper price, why would you suddenly buy at a higher price elsewhere? Just like if GOG price is higher than others, I would suspect you would buy elsewhere even today (before the change actually occurs).
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionAnnouncement: Big Preorders & Launch Day Releases Coming!(4041 posts)(4041 posts)
(4041 posts)