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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 23, 2014
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adamhm: snip
Good point - I forgot about how physical stores play into the mix. Given this, then yeah, regional pricing is here to stay as long as physical retailers exist.

Only way out that I can see is prices to be in one world currency (like say bitcoin) that everyone uses, but then again I thought the US dollar was a good proxy for that role. Essentially every country would have to give up its own currency in favor of whatever that single world currency is, but we know that will not happen anytime soon (as the problems the EU face having one currency but multiple central banks and local budgets that can run deficits illustrates).
Posted February 23, 2014
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MoP: As mentioned in that post, this fresh "good news" is just "adding insult to injury" in -my- case.
Yeah, I agree that GOG handled this announcement extremely poorly. It's hard to see how GOG could have announced this in a worse manner.
But I wasn't thinking about regular retail there (since most of that these days is overpriced, shoddy packaging anyway, not to mention when it's just keys inside). I'm talking about the various crowd-funded venues that offer DRM-free physical copies (usually of "collectors" quality), and some publishers that similarly offer DRM-free physical copies directly from them, sometimes for a limited quantity/time though (like WadjetEye or Screen7).
Kickstarter/crowdfunding is a different thing to pre-ordering though and shouldn't really be compared to stores of any kind.
Posted February 23, 2014
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JohnnyDollar: They've got a screwed up system in that regard, yes. I think that they need to start providing perpetual changelogs too. There's several ways they could introduce it, but it needs to be done.
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GaminggUy45: Well they did release this http://gogcom.tumblr.com/post/76964083614/recently-updated-001 but something like that really needs to be on the front page.
Yes, the front page would be nice. That's better than nothing, but I want to see a record kept of perpetual changes for each game where you can see the full history of builds and changes made to that game (a perpetual changelog), not just a posting of the latest ones that were patched.

Edit: Maybe that's asking too much, I don't know. I see it with software all the time though.
Post edited February 23, 2014 by JohnnyDollar
Posted February 23, 2014
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adamhm: The reason for regional pricing is largely down to physical retail and it'll be extremely difficult to change until physical retail is largely dead.
I call that BS, few pages back I just discovered that some games are much cheaper in Poland, while they are more expensive here. Taxes are quite similar though.

The original idea might be about taxes but that is no longer true and I doubt that it ever was. Sure, they want to sell digital versions for more, but that is utterly stupid tactic imho, physical copies should not be "Steam key in the box", they should give you printed manual, poster or map, something you can not have if you buy digital edition. It used to be that way and I am surprised that I am fighting here for digital distributor (even as cool as gog), because I loved physical extras. But now I get just a code and there is no reason to buy physical stuff, with rare exception of "collector's editions".

I think that the system is broken and accepting broken policy is just wrong...
Posted February 23, 2014
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Quasebarth: ... Well kind of off-topic I guess, but I care in the way that I do not like to be patronised and I detest the anticipatory obedience by the distributors. Regional restrictions done via DRM or in this case done during the purchase, are one of the big problems of digital distribution these days. I would be sad to see GOG go down that route as well.

For one they could for example implement an age verification system via PostIdent or something like that. Something that Steam for example refuses to implement since years. You have to be aware that these "censored" versions are usually for youth protection reasons, but it is not illegal to buy those uncensored versions and own them if you are an adult. Steam ignores this completely ever since and simply only offers the "censored" version which always annoys me.

I am sure that other countries, like Australia for example, would also benefit from such a system as I think they are sometimes in a similar situation concerning censorship.
Fully agreed. Age verification should be the standard. Then everything would be very simple.
Posted February 23, 2014
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GaminggUy45: Well they did release this http://gogcom.tumblr.com/post/76964083614/recently-updated-001 but something like that really needs to be on the front page.
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JohnnyDollar: Yes, the front page would be nice. That's better than nothing, but I want to see a record kept of perpetual changes for each game where you can see the full history of builds and changes made to that game (a perpetual changelog), not just a posting of the latest ones that were patched.

Edit: Maybe that's asking too much, I don't know. I see it with software all the time, though.
Yeah a full history of builds and changes would be great lets hope they come up with something. It's getting rather tedious trying to stay up to date on my installers.
Posted February 23, 2014
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Okay. My personal thoughts today.

1 -- Regional pricing is not all evil -- If GOG wish to stop the single currency sales then that is fine, they can sell in the "local" currency and I actually applaud that as an idea*.
*To get this applaud what needs to happen is that there is (as others have called for) transparent pricing. We should see the price we pay against a list of others on the games page. Maybe it reads £3.99 / $5.99 / €4.70 ect. as a list so we can see the base level (USD is often the most basic you can get) and our charge with the appropriate level of VAT. It would let people see a game that is fairly priced and one that is taking the Di$n€y out of us.

2 -- Although GOG should be more about the older games it does need to survive and bring the current market to itself. I hope that GOG will fight to have prices more level after a year or two of a games release, like they try to have DLC bundled when possible.
Maybe GOG should split the store into three parts and although functioning as one store it allow the three sections to act accordingly. GOG - selling older games at a more or less flat rate. GOG Indie - taking up the indie side and allowing further support and even begin hosting the Linux ports (most indies have one already). GOG+ - newer games at regional pricing structures and with daily updates.

What ever GOG decides are the relevant next steps, the one thing they really need to do is get back on the forums tomorrow and at least try and explain their decisions a little better, as all this speculation will do nothing to ease troubled minds.


P.S. Just for the GOG member forced to read through all this. So they remain clear on my stance.
I can live with the idea of regional pricing, adding in the appropriate level of taxation. I will not stand to be ripped off, and I will not stand for DRM that is more intrusive then me entering a CD key into the installer. Push that and I will fall off the GOG bandwagon.
Posted February 23, 2014
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adamhm: ... The reason for regional pricing is largely down to physical retail and it'll be extremely difficult to change until physical retail is largely dead. ....
I already thought that retail is largely dead. But somehow it's still struggeling.

On the other hand digital should be much cheaper than retail - much less selling staff, no physical production costs, no logistics except internet logistics, no renting of shopping area, easier patch deployment. That should all cut the costs by at least $5-$10, I think.

Otherwise it feels like a rip-off in advantage of good old retail.

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011284mm: 1 -- Regional pricing is not all evil -- If GOG wish to stop the single currency sales then that is fine, they can sell in the "local" currency and I actually applaud that as an idea*.
*To get this applaud what needs to happen is that there is (as others have called for) transparent pricing. We should see the price we pay against a list of others on the games page. Maybe it reads £3.99 / $5.99 / €4.70 ect. as a list so we can see the base level (USD is often the most basic you can get) and our charge with the appropriate level of VAT. It would let people see a game that is fairly priced and one that is taking the Di$n€y out of us. ...
So $1=1€ as it is typically somewhere else would be okay?

If they just wanted to add the local VAT, they didn't need to sell in a specific currency. Just stay in dollars and say the price is $6 plus VAT.
Post edited February 23, 2014 by Trilarion
Posted February 23, 2014
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adamhm: ... The reason for regional pricing is largely down to physical retail and it'll be extremely difficult to change until physical retail is largely dead. ....
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Trilarion: I already thought that retail is largely dead. But somehow it's still struggeling.

On the other hand digital should be much cheaper than retail - much less selling staff, no physical production costs, no logistics except internet logistics, no renting of shopping area, easier patch deployment. That should all cut the costs by at least $5-$10, I think.

Otherwise it feels like a rip-off in advantage of good old retail.
That is the whole point - to protect retail from the internets. Pols want to ensure jobs stay in place rather than mass unemployment due to digital distribution sweeping away the physical outlets, and physical distributors want to keep remaining relevant and their profit streams flowing.
Posted February 23, 2014
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adamhm: ... The reason for regional pricing is largely down to physical retail and it'll be extremely difficult to change until physical retail is largely dead. ....
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Trilarion: I already thought that retail is largely dead. But somehow it's still struggeling.

On the other hand digital should be much cheaper than retail - much less selling staff, no physical production costs, no logistics except internet logistics, no renting of shopping area, easier patch deployment. That should all cut the costs by at least $5-$10, I think.

Otherwise it feels like a rip-off in advantage of good old retail.
Bolded that part. It doesn't seem to be struggling for Daedalic who can easily sell some of their games in German for €40. €40. Let that sink in.
Posted February 23, 2014
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adamhm: The reason for regional pricing is largely down to physical retail and it'll be extremely difficult to change until physical retail is largely dead.
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NetAndy: I call that BS, few pages back I just discovered that some games are much cheaper in Poland, while they are more expensive here. Taxes are quite similar though.
I never said it was about taxes (although that is a small part of it). It is primarily to do with publishers adhering to pricing that has been agreed with local distributors.

If a publisher makes an agreement with a local distributor to sell a game for $X and then they go and sell it online for less than that, that local distributor will get pissed off and refuse to deal with that publisher in future (and the publisher may even end up facing a lawsuit for breaching the terms of their agreement with the distributor).

The original idea might be about taxes but that is no longer true and I doubt that it ever was. Sure, they want to sell digital versions for more, but that is utterly stupid tactic imho, physical copies should not be "Steam key in the box", they should give you printed manual, poster or map, something you can not have if you buy digital edition. It used to be that way and I am surprised that I am fighting here for digital distributor (even as cool as gog), because I loved physical extras. But now I get just a code and there is no reason to buy physical stuff, with rare exception of "collector's editions".
It was also said how digital distribution would make things so much cheaper because of reduced distribution costs, no packaging costs etc. That hasn't happened yet as they still have to stick to the agreed retail pricing...

That said, a lot of publishers *do* like to use regional pricing as an excuse to price gouge certain regions (especially Australia). Can't really do much about that though other than complain and refuse to buy such games.
Post edited February 23, 2014 by adamhm
Posted February 23, 2014
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Stoibs: Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Never had to use a VPN on GOG before... maybe I'll just boycott you and buy cheaper steam keys of these elsewhere though... -_-

EDIT: Also holy shit, you guys had the audacity to start this post off with "Good News!"
Really..?
Seriously...I don´t understand how people could have problems with this, but not with steam abussive regional pricing =_= (imho)
Posted February 23, 2014
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NetAndy: This is interesting, I really do not understand how is this allowed. In my business I can not ask anyone to pay more, even if they are from different country. It happens sometimes, but it is illegal. However publishers are allowed to do this, they can change price just because customer happens to be from different country... and where is room for free marker in the syslem like this, it is like cartel...
Exactly! Its a cartel. And thats why there's no excuse to support it.
Posted February 23, 2014
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Stoibs: Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Never had to use a VPN on GOG before... maybe I'll just boycott you and buy cheaper steam keys of these elsewhere though... -_-

EDIT: Also holy shit, you guys had the audacity to start this post off with "Good News!"
Really..?
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Drerhu: Seriously...I don´t understand how people could have problems with this, but not with steam abussive regional pricing =_= (imho)
Speaking for myself I do have problems with regional pricing on steam and other stores, but I always check out what the difference is and I don't buy games where the price is unfair.

There's a difference between steam having regional pricing and gog betraying one of their loudly proclaimed core principles and starting regional pricing though. Steam never lied to me about regional pricing and how they were all against it and it was unfair and a rip off and they would never do it.
Posted February 23, 2014
Regional pricing for digital goods is nothing but a big rip-off. There is absolutely no reason for it but pure greed. On the other hand, DRM is an even bigger rip-off so it might in fact be the lesser evil...
Post edited February 23, 2014 by hmcpretender
Pages:
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This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionAnnouncement: Big Preorders & Launch Day Releases Coming!(4041 posts)(4041 posts)
(4041 posts)