It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)The Witcher 2: update of our Geo-IP policy(282 posts)(282 posts)
(282 posts)
Pages:
1
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
19
This is my favourite topic
Posted December 23, 2011
GOG.com Implements Court-Required Changes; Uses Geo-IP to Determine Location for Witcher 2 Purchases

If you’ve been paying attention to news about the CD Projekt RED group, you’ve possibly heard that a French court made a judgement about a few things that were in dispute between CD Projekt RED and Namco Bandai Partners. Most of the decision doesn’t influence GOG.com, but one of the rulings from the court does: according to the findings of the court, the method that we have been using to determine what location a game purchaser is located at when they buy a copy of [url=http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/the_witcher_2]The Witcher 2 (and, as such, what version and price they are presented with) needs to be changed.

GOG.com has stated for a long time now that we believe that the best security is asking only for the minimum of information that we need to successfully transact business with our customers. Our opinion is still that including things like determining your location via Geo-IP, because there are several possible flaws with that system. However, in order to keep selling The Witcher 2, we will need to implement a Geo-IP based system for determining your location, per the orders of the court.

We will be implementing this system immediately; you will see that your local currency’s price is now featured on the product page when you visit it, based on your IP address. Since we've already announced the price for this game would be the same flat price everywhere during the Holiday Sale (which ends on January 2nd, 2012, at 23:59 EST Time), we’re not going to change the pricing for the Witcher 2 until this sale ends.

We remain committed to user privacy and keeping your information as safe and secure as we can. Further, while your profile’s location is, by order of the court, determined via Geo-IP when you purchase a copy of The Witcher 2, you can still set your country location for the forums as you would like, and your location doesn’t matter for buying any other games on GOG.com.

If you have already purchased your copy of the Witcher 2, we won’t be changing anything on your already-bought copy, just as if you had a boxed copy on a physical shelf instead of a virtual box on your GOG.com shelf.

If you have any questions about this, please feel free to ask it the comments below, or (if you’re a journalist) drop us an email and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
shadi.lahham: GOG made tons of profit from the sale of the witcher2. Also, CD Projekt is GOG's parent company. So it makes sense to boycot GOG in order to put pressure on both GOG and CD Projekt.

Aside from the Geo-IP and 'same price everywhere' issues, there is the greater issue that GOG's parent company hire some mafia-tactics company to issue threats to gamers. This is not OK in any context. This is borderline criminal activity. To send a letter to someone asking them to pay hundreds of euros or risk being prosecuted for tens and hundreds of thousands of euros and be ruined financially... this is not a laughing matter!

CD Projekt and GOG must learn that something like this must never again be repeated .. or even considered.
avatar
madgernader: What are you smoking? This Geo-IP tracking was put into place because of NamcoBandai (Retail publisher for TW2) not liking how GoG/CDProjekt are selling the game for less then retail, because they aren't getting a cut from the GoG sales.

Also, Did I read a different statement then everyone else? I didn't see anything about threatening customers, or mafia tactics at all. NamcoBandai won a suit with a french court and as a result, the court ordered GoG/CDProjeckt to put this system into place...

If you are that butt-hurt about it, just don't buy more copies of TW2, the statement even says this is only in effect for new purchases of TW2 post holiday sale. All other titles are still being sold as normal.
The Mafia tactics etc is to do with someting else CDProjeckt have been up to lately ;)
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
madgernader: What are you smoking? This Geo-IP tracking was put into place because of NamcoBandai (Retail publisher for TW2) not liking how GoG/CDProjekt are selling the game for less then retail, because they aren't getting a cut from the GoG sales.

Also, Did I read a different statement then everyone else? I didn't see anything about threatening customers, or mafia tactics at all. NamcoBandai won a suit with a french court and as a result, the court ordered GoG/CDProjeckt to put this system into place...

If you are that butt-hurt about it, just don't buy more copies of TW2, the statement even says this is only in effect for new purchases of TW2 post holiday sale. All other titles are still being sold as normal.
avatar
summitus: The Mafia tactics etc is to do with someting else CDProjeckt have been up to lately ;)
I didn't know catching thieves was the same as racketeering. *rolls eyes*
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
madgernader: Also, Did I read a different statement then everyone else? I didn't see anything about threatening customers, or mafia tactics at all. NamcoBandai won a suit with a french court and as a result, the court ordered GoG/CDProjeckt to put this system into place...
http://www.gog.com/en/forum/general/cd_projekt_red_goes_after_file_sharers_riaa_mpaa_style/page1
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
shadi.lahham: GOG made tons of profit from the sale of the witcher2. Also, CD Projekt is GOG's parent company. So it makes sense to boycot GOG in order to put pressure on both GOG and CD Projekt.

Aside from the Geo-IP and 'same price everywhere' issues, there is the greater issue that GOG's parent company hire some mafia-tactics company to issue threats to gamers. This is not OK in any context. This is borderline criminal activity. To send a letter to someone asking them to pay hundreds of euros or risk being prosecuted for tens and hundreds of thousands of euros and be ruined financially... this is not a laughing matter!

CD Projekt and GOG must learn that something like this must never again be repeated .. or even considered.
avatar
madgernader: What are you smoking? This Geo-IP tracking was put into place because of NamcoBandai (Retail publisher for TW2) not liking how GoG/CDProjekt are selling the game for less then retail, because they aren't getting a cut from the GoG sales.

Also, Did I read a different statement then everyone else? I didn't see anything about threatening customers, or mafia tactics at all. NamcoBandai won a suit with a french court and as a result, the court ordered GoG/CDProjeckt to put this system into place...

If you are that butt-hurt about it, just don't buy more copies of TW2, the statement even says this is only in effect for new purchases of TW2 post holiday sale. All other titles are still being sold as normal.
This, precisely.
Posted December 24, 2011
A lot of you people complaining amaze me. Do you have absolutely no brains in your head? GOG and CD Projekt did what they could to stop this, but when the court tells you to do something there isn't a whole lot of wiggle room you have. It's the law.

GOG/CD are the only digital publishers I trust more than Steam (and I trust them more because Steam is huge), so you saying you feel CD Projekt used bully tactics is stupid. We have no reason to NOT continue supporting them.
Posted December 24, 2011
I've had my own professional dealings with Namco Bandai (my shelf is full of promo PSP and PS3 discs from them) and I can say from the bottom of my heart that they are utter cunts.

While I never intended to buy TW2 digital (it's a major game and deserving of a physical shelf place), I'm now a little concerned about buying the disc version, as I don't feel that I can morally justify it to myself to contribute in any way to NB's bottom line.

I'm now a little unsure what to do - I may buy it used on disc when it's cheaper to spite Namco Bandai and then buy the GOG version when it's on offer to ensure that CDP gets their share.
Post edited December 24, 2011 by jamyskis
Posted December 24, 2011
Well while it's a pity that external bureaucrats like the french court and especially Namco Bandai (who's now put the final nail in their coffin as far as getting my business) feel the need to overbearingly interfear in the gaming enjoyment of honest folks it is quite clear that neither CDPR or GOG are behind this new development and I see no reason to bear any ire towards you.
Thanks GOG for being classy enough to let us know in advance, to keep the price the same for the sale (hey, time to grab that copy of TW2 before the sales over eh?) and for re-affirming your commitment to an aboveboard relationship with your customers by applying the new Geo-IP requirement only to the game specified by the court.

Happy New Year to you :)
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
shadi.lahham: So it makes sense to boycot GOG in order to put pressure on both GOG and CD Projekt.
Boycotts have proven to work in the past, amirite? Especially when it appears they're the minority.
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
jamyskis: I've had my own professional dealings with Namco Bandai (my shelf is full of promo PSP and PS3 discs from them) and I can say from the bottom of my heart that they are utter cunts.

While I never intended to buy TW2 digital (it's a major game and deserving of a physical shelf place), I'm now a little concerned about buying the disc version, as I don't feel that I can morally justify it to myself to contribute in any way to NB's bottom line.

I'm now a little unsure what to do - I may buy it used on disc when it's cheaper to spite Namco Bandai and then buy the GOG version when it's on offer to ensure that CDP gets their share.
Jamyskis, first off cheers to you for using your wallet to express your views on Namco Bandai, kudos mate. Second AFAIK (and I'm not 100%) since Namco Bandai were brought in as partners due to the impending xBox 360 release there are some distribution venues which don't give them any royalties. The court injunction applies to all digital versions because the contention of Namco Bandai was that CDPR was in breach of contract due to removal of their DRM from TW2 based on the idea that having it available DRM free on the PC would damage their sales on the xBox 360. Now I'm not absolutely certain of that because I sadly only have one language and much of this has been conducted in nations that don't natively use English so I'm working from translations.
Perhaps someone from GOG has info that could confirm or deny this.

happy holidays,
Legion
Posted December 24, 2011
+1 for digital-only distribution, downloaded directly from the game developers. No mega publishing companies, no middle men, no forced limitations on what developers can do with the products they create. All profits go to the people who create the game. That's the kind of thing the internet is supposed to be for, right?
Posted December 24, 2011
high rated
I'm never going to buy from namco ever again now.
Posted December 24, 2011
avatar
jefequeso: Guys... you're overreacting again.

Also, why are some people taking about boycotting GOG? As far as I know, they had absolutely 0 control over any of this.
avatar
shadi.lahham: GOG made tons of profit from the sale of the witcher2. Also, CD Projekt is GOG's parent company. So it makes sense to boycot GOG in order to put pressure on both GOG and CD Projekt.

Aside from the Geo-IP and 'same price everywhere' issues, there is the greater issue that GOG's parent company hire some mafia-tactics company to issue threats to gamers. This is not OK in any context. This is borderline criminal activity. To send a letter to someone asking them to pay hundreds of euros or risk being prosecuted for tens and hundreds of thousands of euros and be ruined financially... this is not a laughing matter!

CD Projekt and GOG must learn that something like this must never again be repeated .. or even considered.
And until they learn that they won't see one cent more from me.

I still support the great business model that GOG has and their philosophy in general, but I think that standing by and accepting evil acts only leads to the propagation of evil.
Shadi,
I totally commend your intentions and attitude, however if I may I believe your information is slightly skewed. CDP and GOG are firmly committed to the idea of respecting gamers through the use of DRM-free gaming products. Inf point of fact outside of the Indy Bundle they're some of the only high profile companies currently treating us with this basic respect. It is in fact Namco Bandai through use of the French courts via their licensing contract with CDP to distribute The Witcher 2 on xBox 360 that has forced this issue.
CD Projekt actually took Namco Bandai to court to prevent this from happening.
It is unfortunate that the French judicial system ruled in favor of Namco Bandai however that truly cannot be laid at the door of either CDP or GOG.

So, boycott? Yes absolutely, just make sure to boycott the ones responsible for this, namely Namco Bandai.
Posted December 24, 2011
Boycott GOG? But i need GOG, Who else can offer old school games like GOG with generous, helpful and matured community? I view GOG as complete package, not just a platform for buying dirt cheap games.
Posted December 24, 2011
Something funny going on with the quote system.

As pointed out earlier, the IP policy only applies to Wicher 2, hopefully other new games released won't have this nonsense.

I'm just worried about the release of the Witcher 3 eventually, I don't want to be forced to buy the censored Australian version for New Zealand.

I'm not overly fussed about any price differences, just don't want cut down versions of the game.
Post edited December 24, 2011 by Ravenvolf
Posted December 24, 2011
Hello,
Im sorry if this has been addressed but I haven't been paying much attention lately since my computer broke. But seeing this Geo-IP ruling saying it give versions of Witcher 2 based on location I was wondering if this meant the game had been censored in anyway?
I was waiting to buy the game till after I fixed up my computer which wasn't going to be for another month or so since I need to worry about my business and life before gaming but if the game is going to be censored I don't think Ill be purchasing it. I don't support any form of censorship when it comes to media thats why I don't even own a television being as western media is pure propaganda. I guess its okay for the american government to use depleted uranium and white phosphorus on children while exercising their full strength on media censorship.
I admit that is an extreme comparison but I guess Im sick of what seems to be crimes against humanity becoming UN/WTO global policy and knowing its censorship that allows these policies to take effect without people knowing/caring because instead of having a independent media who advocates critical thinking we just have reality shows.
Pages:
1
5
10
11
12
13
14
15
19
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)The Witcher 2: update of our Geo-IP policy(282 posts)(282 posts)
(282 posts)