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 discussionHerzlich Willkommen! GOG.com goes German(641 posts)(641 posts)
(641 posts)
Pages:
1
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
43
This is my favourite topic
Posted February 26, 2015
Herzlich Willkommen!




GOG.com goes German. Not completely, mind you, but starting today we'll be spreading our DRM-free love in one more language. Whether you're here because of the news, or you've been with us for a while, here is what we're doing to make our German speaking friends feel a little more welcome on GOG.com:




-A German version of our website. You can change your language using the drop-down menu towards the bottom of every page.
-A German corner of our forums. Your home away from home.
-German customer support. If you're more comfortable talking to us in your native language.
-More games in German. We're rolling out 25+ German localisations for our games today, bringing the total up to 350+.




No big announcement would be complete without a huge sale! This weekend we're holding the German-riffic <span class="bold">Herzlich Willkommen!</span> promo. The highlight is a ridiculous 97% off Deponia, but there are over 25 other German gaming hits available as well. There is adventuring with the remaining Deponia games, the cult strategy of The Settlers, the tough and turn-based tactics in Blackguards 1 and 2, and many, many more feats of German game design.


Check out <span class="bold">the weekend promo page</span> to see the full lineup. The promo will last until Tuesday, March 3, at 4:59 AM GMT.




Update:
Two games from our catalog had to be made unavailable in Germany: Commandos Ammo Pack and Commandos 2+3. Offering or promoting these games is considered a serious criminal offence according to German law, and we have to abide by this law to avoid the risk of serious legal action taken against GOG.com and GOG.com employees. Rest assured that if you've already bought a game - nothing will retroactively disappear from your shelves.
Post edited February 27, 2015 by Chamb
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
jadeite: With the new addition of german region locking, this anouncement lacks a 'Good News!'.
It does indeed. :(
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
dc6jgk: I am from Germany. To make it short:

You are not a German company. You are not obliged to censor anything based on German law.
I like DRM-Free games and I like censorship-free shops.

If you support censorship, I will stop giving you money.
Sadly I am afraid that you are rather mistaken.

If they wish to sell anything on the German market, they must adhere to German laws. Apple can't sell guns to teens in Germany just because that would be legal in America. I don't know how internet shops that sell immaterial goods across national borders work in this regard, though.

I hate the moral guardians of Germany as much as any of you would but there is little we can do, I am afraid.
Posted February 26, 2015
Oooh, regional locking for germans?

Maybe it's part of a vengeance, 75 years in the making.

It is best served cold after all.
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
Utuzuu: If they wish to sell anything on the German market, they must adhere to German laws. Apple can't sell guns to teens in Germany just because that would be legal in America. I don't know how internet shops that sell immaterial goods across national borders work in this regard, though.
They are not selling on the German market. They are selling on the internet. It would be different if they were a German company or had a German dependence (like Google, Apple, MS).
The problem is, with the German site version, they also obviously target a German audience. This means that gog.com could be "indexed" nd thus would disappear from google.de search results.
Posted February 26, 2015
Now, be good and do the same with the SPANISH language...
Posted February 26, 2015
About region Locked website for Germany:

(Repost from http://www.gog.com/forum/general/regional_locked_games_on_gog/page1):"
It is ok to launch a german website, that abides to regional law.

But IT IS NOT OK to paternalize mature german customers!

Gog.com, please add a section (or access to the international gog.com site) on the german site, which is restricted by age verification.

That is all it needs for us in germany to buy or import uncut games in a propper legal way. The german media index is nothing more than just a restriciton in terms of open advertising (like an 18+ porn section in a store).
"

Also I would like to ask:

Will already bought games be downgraded to cut versions?
Will we only get cut versions of future game releases?
Can we still buy those games via VPN or other means?
Will there be regional pricing and a return of Nordic Games?

I thought you are a community friendly company that is supposed to stand for its principles, so why are you too afraid to communicate propperly the issues with region restricitons and the reasons why you are convinced with these decicions? Being paternalized really hurts my feelings, I would at least like to know why?

Edit: Ok I forgot, of course the removed games are conficated. I should have known that. But still, I am very afraid of cencorship and restrictions.

Sorry for posting in two threads, because of that emotional reaction.
Post edited February 26, 2015 by Rhyney
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
Utuzuu: If they wish to sell anything on the German market, they must adhere to German laws. Apple can't sell guns to teens in Germany just because that would be legal in America. I don't know how internet shops that sell immaterial goods across national borders work in this regard, though.
avatar
toxicTom: They are not selling on the German market. They are selling on the internet. It would be different if they were a German company or had a German dependence (like Google, Apple, MS).
The problem is, with the German site version, they also obviously target a German audience. This means that gog.com could be "indexed" nd thus would disappear from google.de search results.
I don't care about Google.de and am using other search engines that don't track everything I do.
Physical imports from other countries are legal here afaik, why does GoG think that the more reasonable digital way should be banned?
Post edited February 26, 2015 by Klumpen0815
Posted February 26, 2015
Just a little question.
Did you make german and french forums because there was actually a lot of users suggesting you should make them so they could chat with others if they feel like their english is not sufficient for the original forum?
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
vicklemos: Yeah!
I remember with all my heart playing some Gaelco games at the local arcade and oh boy, those days were unreal.
Too bad they didn't add "El Torito Guapo" or something more spanish to their in-game soundtracks :P
I resemble that remark.

Incidentally, the thunder hoop arcade was locally known as "the Goku game"
Posted February 26, 2015
well that awnsers my question
Posted February 26, 2015
avatar
Klumpen0815: I don't care about Google.de and am using other search engines that don't track everything I do.
Physical imports from other countries are legal here afaik, why does GoG think that the more reasonable digital way should be banned?
You don't. But Google's market share is > 90% in Germany...
Posted February 26, 2015
Ich hope you shed some light in terms of region lock and other legal issues.
THAN I can really enjoy, what you did: Make a great site even better!
Thanks for the german versions! Danke schön!
Posted February 26, 2015
Just don't go the Origin way and only allow the download in one language based on the location of your IP address -.-
Posted February 26, 2015
I Think, this really cool im from Germany, and say: Danke GoG :)
Posted February 26, 2015
I wonder how long until accounts are locked to IP addresses.
Pages:
1
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
43
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionHerzlich Willkommen! GOG.com goes German(641 posts)(641 posts)
(641 posts)