I shall probably have a bigger and more in-depth rant about regionalization and DRM in the near future, but in the meantime I would like to point you towards this article: No More Regionalization.
There really is no excuse, in these days of increased globalization, to treat your non-US customers with such disdain. And it’s not just a problem with a single MMORPG. With the dollar weak, European customers are actually worth a lot more money and generate more profit per person. Yet we are often treated as second-class citizens at best – charged more coin for less functionality and content.
It is getting worse, and it will continue to get worse as long as we allow these companies to get away with it. I think it’s time to start making some noise.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Blue Witch // 26th Apr 2008 at 8:29 pm
With the dollar weak, European customers are actually worth a lot more money and generate more profit per person.
Erm – how??? Am I being dim? I’d have thought the reverse (unless you’re assuming they are buying more product)?
2 Pewari // 26th Apr 2008 at 9:23 pm
Eg: Nintendo Wii… with the dollar weak they ended up reserving more units for sale in Europe as there was greater profit potential …
Also to compound this, most things here are sold for the equivalent pounds as they are for sale in the States in dollars (or more in some cases – Wii Fit retails for $89.99 on Amazon.com yet is listed at £99.99 on Amazon.co.uk)
The views expressed in these comments are not the views of the publisher. However, we believe in the rights of others to express their legitimate views and concerns. Any legitimate complaint emailed to pewari@may.be will be seriously considered and the post reviewed as desirable and necessary.
Leave a Comment