Believe it or not, there are many gamers that live outside the United States. Those of us that do not live in Japan and the US aren’t always a first priority for the entertainment industry when it comes to hot new releases, yet everyone feels the power of the marketing dollar… we’re just not all “privileged” enough to experience it on day one… or year one. Here is one such story, written by rover on of our forum posters, explaining how this leads to piracy in our global economy…
Let us pretend for a moment the best motion picture of the year ranked 10 out of 10 stars on imdb.com and was released in November 18th 2007. While the United States had access to the movie all year, distributors announced a European premiere on June 16th 2008. Months after North American the release, Europe may see this blockbuster movie in its region, leaving everyone to ask themselves, “how do I see this wonderful film now?”
The world isn’t as it once was. Years ago we found ourselves lining up on an early Saturday morning in the freezing rain just to buy a new CD or rent the latest movie on VHS. Today, people expect to get what thy want NOW. We see a spot during a commercial on TV for a new CD, movie or perhaps a TV show which spark our interest and what do we do? We can wait six days to watch the next hit TV show prime time episode or line up at CD MegaWorld Monday morning at 7am to buy the CD, or we do something entirely different: we go online. Most of us would go to amazon.com to find that excellent new artist, or perhaps itunes.com to find the latest episode of our favorite TV show.
Online is the way to go. We don’t mind paying for quality entertainment; the only thing we ask is to get some flexibility to our time schedule. Some of us may watch our hit prime time TV show at 1 AM or listening to our favorite music on the bus at 5 AM. The question is “can I?” and the answer is, “yes you can!”
Now here’s where problems arise. The “yes you can” statement only applies to one group of people, specifically the North Americans. You watched this seasons first episode of “Lost” on TV, you can go online and find out there are three full seasons of 22 episodes already aired. Great! Now all I must do is pay up roughly USD $1 per episode and I’ve got the ability to download all episodes and watch them at my own leisure… right?
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Hi guys.
Thanks for this (and the few last) episode(s). I was very busy the last weeks, so i was not able to write a comment. Sorry for that! You deserve listener feedback 🙂
Regarding Telltale: In my opinion this is very unfair to treat the employees like that. I am happy, that something like that is not possible in germany, we got special “insurance” for such a situation. But in addition it is sad, because i liked telltale and the games they made 🙁
To our neighbours in the swiss: this is such a stupid move, and i have read this as well. Your comment, that i dont want to fight for animal right by thrwoing kittys at an animal shelter perfectly describes how stupid this protest action was.
Regaridng the Tetris topic, i played a lot of Lumines and i love the game for it´s simplicity (like Tetris). Such games you are able to play for half an hour and dont have to remember any story or complicated moves. Most of the newer games, you need to know every button on the joypad, have hours of storytelling and complex storylines … i dont judge this, but these games are no games you are able to play for some minutes.
To the question of the week: As already mentioned in the episode, i would love to see another Back to the future Telltame game 🙂 I think i already mentioned it once, but i am a real BTTF fanatic (my right leg is completly tattooed with BTTF).
Last but not least: TJ, congratulations to your wedding! I wish you will have a beatiful marriage and will stay together forever!
Greetings from germany and have a nice week.
Ralf