1332 réponses à ce sujet

[Merci357]

Initially I thought the lack of PC versions in Europe was due to Gamestop not being interested in selling the CE for PC... then we added Amazon (and some other retailers) to this list, with the Deluxe Edition. And then I realized, that I had been wrong.
So here's the real deal, the way I see it (if I'm wrong, then I ask somebody from Bioware to correct me... as long as we don't hear anything, we can safely assume that this is indeed the truth):

* EA very much prefers selling digital copies to physical copies, and over the past years, physical sales have dropped, and digital sales have increased.
* The PC platform doesn't sell as well as the consoles.
* So EA doesn't consider it worth the effort and the money, to try and sell the Deluxe Edition or Inquisitor's Edition for PC in Europe (or the Deluxe Edition in Australia), as they don't expect to make enough of a profit on it.
* EA thinks that most people who don't get the physical edition that they want, will eventually decide to buy either the physical standard edition, or the digital deluxe edition... win/win for EA.
* EA considers those people who won't buy the game at all, an "acceptable loss".
* Bioware may not agree with this or like it, but they won't say anything, as they don't want to anger their publisher.
 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but physical deluxe/Inquisitor's Editions are available for PC, right? But, and that's the strange part, only in NA. However, Europe in general (central/eastern Europe like Germany, Poland, Russia especially) is much more PC focused compared to NA. So why cater to a "weaker" market, and leave the "stronger" PC market out?

 

That said, your logic is sound. And your last point, well, Bioware employees were surprised by this, too, and promptly offered to look into the matter, as evidently seen in this thread. But that has been weeks ago, and we heard nothing. However, EA and BW are the same entity, it's just a decision that was made up by someone higher up the totem pole.

[Cheiron the Centaur]

I don't have all the answers either, but I would like to comment on this:

 

However, EA and BW are the same entity, it's just a decision that was made up by someone higher up the totem pole.

 

EA and Bioware are not completely "the same entity". Even though Bioware is a division of EA now, and even though Bioware the publisher no longer exists, they are still a developer with a large amount of creative freedom. They just don't have a say on the publishing/distribution side... that's where father EA makes the decisions.

[Grizzly_UK]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but physical deluxe/Inquisitor's Editions are available for PC, right? But, and that's the strange part, only in NA. However, Europe in general (central/eastern Europe like Germany, Poland, Russia especially) is much more PC focused compared to NA. So why cater to a "weaker" market, and leave the "stronger" PC market out?

 

That said, your logic is sound. And your last point, well, Bioware employees were surprised by this, too, and promptly offered to look into the matter, as evidently seen in this thread. But that has been weeks ago, and we heard nothing. However, EA and BW are the same entity, it's just a decision that was made up by someone higher up the totem pole.

You are indeed correct, physical copies of the Deluxe and Inquisitor's/Collector's Editions are available for PC but, as you point out, currently only for the NA market!

 

Seems to me that many NA gamers can't understand why European and UK PC gamers prefer physical copies over digital, but that's a simple one to answer: it's generally due to slow internet connections. Not everywhere in Europe and UK has the sort of super-fast internet connections that many NA gamers enjoy. If I have to download a full game via Origin or Steam then it will take several hours, sometimes even the majority of a day, while installing a game via a physical disk, even if it requires multiple disks, can be completed within minutes! I think this is something that even game publishers fail to comprehend at times, but it's certainly a big factor in why many European and UK gamers are resistant to digital only purchases and prefer to purchase a physical copy instead!

 

I'll use Dragon Age: Origins as an example. I can install the full game from disk in about 10-15 minutes (never really timed it but that seems about right), followed by installing the Awakening expansion, all the DLC's (which I have previously downloaded individually), the latest patch and that all takes around an hour or so. For a digital download and install of that entire process I'd probably be looking at around 6-7+ hours! Looking at the properties for my Dragon Age install folder it shows the size as 20.8 GB (22,415,306,331 bytes) and my average download speed is around 500-600kb per second (on a good day) so does that help explain why I and many other European and UK gamers prefer physical over digital?

 

EA (and other publishers) can try and push digital as the future of gaming all they like, but until all the ISP's in the world can provide the sort of super-fast connections that will allow downloading such large games in a short amount of time then digital isn't really a viable option for everyone! For anyone who's tempted to point at music downloads as an example please consider the difference in the amount of data you download!

[Aries_cz]

I'm pretty much over ever hoping to have a CE (UK PC). But I am getting rather pissed off at the console favouritism we're seeing now. I've been gaming since I was knee high and I've never owned a console! *shakes stick*

It worries me that there seems to be an attempt to push out PC gamers, please tell me if you think that is unfounded. It's...*sigh*

 

I share you pain. PC Gaming Master Race forever

[Aries_cz]

You are indeed correct, physical copies of the Deluxe and Inquisitor's/Collector's Editions are available for PC but, as you point out, currently only for the NA market!

 

Seems to me that many NA gamers can't understand why European and UK PC gamers prefer physical copies over digital, but that's a simple one to answer: it's generally due to slow internet connections. Not everywhere in Europe and UK has the sort of super-fast internet connections that many NA gamers enjoy. If I have to download a full game via Origin or Steam then it will take several hours, sometimes even the majority of a day, while installing a game via a physical disk, even if it requires multiple disks, can be completed within minutes! I think this is something that even game publishers fail to comprehend at times, but it's certainly a big factor in why many European and UK gamers are resistant to digital only purchases and prefer to purchase a physical copy instead!

 

I'll use Dragon Age: Origins as an example. I can install the full game from disk in about 10-15 minutes (never really timed it but that seems about right), followed by installing the Awakening expansion, all the DLC's (which I have previously downloaded individually), the latest patch and that all takes around an hour or so. For a digital download and install of that entire process I'd probably be looking at around 6-7+ hours! Looking at the properties for my Dragon Age install folder it shows the size as 20.8 GB (22,415,306,331 bytes) and my average download speed is around 500-600kb per second (on a good day) so does that help explain why I and many other European and UK gamers prefer physical over digital?

 

EA (and other publishers) can try and push digital as the future of gaming all they like, but until all the ISP's in the world can provide the sort of super-fast connections that will allow downloading such large games in a short amount of time then digital isn't really a viable option for everyone! For anyone who's tempted to point at music downloads as an example please consider the difference in the amount of data you download!

 

Nah, it is not about Internet speeds, almost every country in EU now has several cheap and fast ISPs (I think I read somewhere recently we have much better selection than in US). You might want to look at getting a new provider, 500kbps on a good day is abysmal for 21st century and any other technology than mobile connection.

 

I think (and personally say) it is the "feel" of having a disc and a box, something you can touch, put on a display, etc. You cannot do that with digital content (commercially available tangible holograms are still few years in the future).

 

However, I do understand why publishers want more digital distribution. Having the game placed in stores costs significant amounts of money on renting the shelf place, distributing, etc. I personally see the future as fully digital, with "collector editions" coming as a set of 3D printing blueprint for 3D printers that everyone will have /futuristic_rant

[Sanunes]

Nah, it is not about Internet speeds, almost every country in EU now has several cheap and fast ISPs (I think I read somewhere recently we have much better selection than in US). You might want to look at getting a new provider, 500kbps on a good day is abysmal for 21st century and any other technology than mobile connection.

 

I think (and personally say) it is the "feel" of having a disc and a box, something you can touch, put on a display, etc. You cannot do that with digital content (commercially available tangible holograms are still few years in the future).

 

However, I do understand why publishers want more digital distribution. Having the game placed in stores costs significant amounts of money on renting the shelf place, distributing, etc. I personally see the future as fully digital, with "collector editions" coming as a set of 3D printing blueprint for 3D printers that everyone will have /futuristic_rant

 

There are areas of my city that can get 50Mbps and others that can only get 5Mbps because the infrastructure needs to be upgraded for some of the lines are just too old for the new technologies.

[Prudii Aden]

Additionally, not everyone has control over who their ISP is - if you're renting, chances are that if broadband is included in your package, it won't be the superfast option. I know that it took something like 14 hours to download a 12 Gig game update from Steam, and I live near Canary Wharf - somewhere you'd think the broadband infrastructure would be good, even without fibreoptic wire. Even if I did shell out for the digital deluxe version on Origin, and if it did start downloading at the stroke of midnight on Friday the 10th October, I probably wouldn't be able to play it until late that afternoon, if not early evening. However, if I bought the physical version, I'd likely be playing by 11am at the latest. Added to which, buying the physical copy is still cheaper than the digital version. Hell, I could buy the physical copy from Amazon US, pay for it to be express shipped over and including import taxes and the like, it would still only be around a fiver more expensive!

[Jak Tor]

Additionally, not everyone has control over who their ISP is - if you're renting, chances are that if broadband is included in your package, it won't be the superfast option. I know that it took something like 14 hours to download a 12 Gig game update from Steam, and I live near Canary Wharf - somewhere you'd think the broadband infrastructure would be good, even without fibreoptic wire. Even if I did shell out for the digital deluxe version on Origin, and if it did start downloading at the stroke of midnight on Friday the 10th October, I probably wouldn't be able to play it until late that afternoon, if not early evening. However, if I bought the physical version, I'd likely be playing by 11am at the latest. Added to which, buying the physical copy is still cheaper than the digital version. Hell, I could buy the physical copy from Amazon US, pay for it to be express shipped over and including import taxes and the like, it would still only be around a fiver more expensive!

I've preordered, with expedited shipping and Customs deposit, the Deluxe Edition from the States and it came to £67.43... so not far off!! I used the money saved from not getting the CE to order the Witcher 3 from GOG...

 

I would've liked to get the CE or even a physical Deluxe copy from a supplier in the UK, but I'd rather have the game than not (despite Xbone timed exclusive DLC nonsense)!

[Bellanaris88]

I just saw the Digital Deluxe version of this game go up on PSN. Anyone know if Xbox Live will have it as well especially for Xbox 360?

They said Xbox would be physical only.

[Cornughon]

I have been looking to pre-order the PC version of the physical Deluxe Edition for months now as well and couldn't find it anywhere on offer locally (the Netherlands) and even internationally (UK, Germany). Just the console versions...

 

Having found this forum topic I see it's not just bad luck (as in too late) from my side, and that for some reason (like neglecting the PC market as always) both the PC Deluxe and Inquisitor's Editions remain US-only...

 

For me it's also the feeling of having the 'real' thing as opposed to just a collection of ones and zeroes. My internet speed is fast enough so that isn't really the problem for me.

 

However since PC games for some reason nowadays need to have an initial price point of €60 as opposed to the €50 it was since 2002, pre-ordering a PHYSICAL edition might even get me discounts from various shops which offer it for below the 60 bucks.

[Mahumia]

I have been looking to pre-order the PC version of the physical Deluxe Edition for months now as well and couldn't find it anywhere on offer locally (the Netherlands) and even internationally (UK, Germany). Just the console versions...

 

Having found this forum topic I see it's not just bad luck (as in too late) from my side, and that for some reason (like neglecting the PC market as always) both the PC Deluxe and Inquisitor's Editions remain US-only...

 

For me it's also the feeling of having the 'real' thing as opposed to just a collection of ones and zeroes. My internet speed is fast enough so that isn't really the problem for me.

 

However since PC games for some reason nowadays need to have an initial price point of €60 as opposed to the €50 it was since 2002, pre-ordering a PHYSICAL edition might even get me discounts from various shops which offer it for below the 60 bucks.

Same here. I've been stalking Bol.com for ages (since there is no such thing as a Gamestop or Amazon here in the Netherlands), but it only had the normal PC version. I really do NOT want the digital version... I like the row of packages on the shelf, showing it to anyone visiting me... Can't do that with some pixels. And correct: many shops offer discounts for physical versions. And one other thing: a physical version keeps some resale value (a digital version does not) and can not be borrowed by friends who want to give the game a try. I'm seriously upset by the lack of support for us PC gamers here in Europe... I'd be less upset if the game would be 'Amazon exclusive', even though I think that whole 'exclusive' is just plain nonsense, as Amazon DOES understand that goods can be shipped throughout Europe... Seriously is Gamestop afraid they might customers from another country..? Heck, even I can ship goods to another European country, so if they can't they are just blame dumb.

[Grizzly_UK]

I decided to contact GameStop UK yesterday to enquire as to the availability of the PC Collector's Edition on their website. Here is the reply I received today:
 

Thank you for contacting GameStop.

The Collector's Edition for PC will be available on www.gamestop.co.uk, but unfortunately we do not have a confirmed release date for pre-order yet. However I will advise you to keep an eye on our website, as soon as we have the information our website will be updated. I hope you found this helpful - if you have any further questions let me know.

 

While that seems to be good news, I'm a little concerned that they seem to think it has a different release date to all the other versions! I have replied and asked for further clarification regarding the release date (I also pointed out that the Collector's Edition for PC should have the same release date as all the other versions) and I'll post back with whatever their reply is.

 

But at least they are aware that they will be getting the Collector's Edition for PC, hopefully this is also true for all the other GameStops covering the rest of Europe!

[Aries_cz]

I've preordered, with expedited shipping and Customs deposit, the Deluxe Edition from the States and it came to £67.43... so not far off!! I used the money saved from not getting the CE to order the Witcher 3 from GOG...

 

I would've liked to get the CE or even a physical Deluxe copy from a supplier in the UK, but I'd rather have the game than not (despite Xbone timed exclusive DLC nonsense)!

 

I was staring at the price, which is lower than the Digital Deluxe, and then I realized it was in British pounds, not Euros or USD

[Aries_cz]

I decided to contact GameStop UK yesterday to enquire as to the availability of the PC Collector's Edition on their website. Here is the reply I received today:
 

 

While that seems to be good news, I'm a little concerned that they seem to think it has a different release date to all the other versions! I have replied and asked for further clarification regarding the release date (I also pointed out that the Collector's Edition for PC should have the same release date as all the other versions) and I'll post back with whatever their reply is.

 

But at least they are aware that they will be getting the Collector's Edition for PC, hopefully this is also true for all the other GameStops covering the rest of Europe!

 

Sadly, GameStops seem to refuse to ship outside their country (at least the UK one). And there seems to be no indication if the game included in it is actually Deluxe edition (Itallian GameStop has Standard+chest by all indications)

[Cheiron the Centaur]

on Twitter:

    

Mark Darrah @BioMarkDarrah
> We are aware that there is currently no PC uber edition available in Europe. We are working on it now. Sorry this happened - 15 May

Banzai Tree @BanzaiTree
> @BioMarkDarrah Still no news? Pls let us know when we can expect to get an update on this (for both Gamestop and non-Gamestop EU countries) - 11 Jun

Mark Darrah @BioMarkDarrah
> @BanzaiTree we are waiting on GameStop. Sorry, nothing yet - 02:05 PM - 11 Jun 14
 

[Grizzly_UK]

Here's the reply I've received from GameStop UK about the release date they are waiting for:

 

It is the release date for pre-order for our GameStop website we do not have confirmed yet. I perfectly understand your frustration, we are awaiting the information eagerly ourselves here in our Customer Relations Team. However we do know that the game will be up for pre-order soon :-) I am sorry I do not have any more information for you at this time, our website will be updated soon! I will keep my fingers crossed myself.

 

Seems they're just waiting on the actual date that they can list the PC Collector's Edition as available for pre-order. I just hope their "soon" isn't anything like BioWare's or we could be waiting another month or more! Hopefully this also means that GameStop will be getting copies out to all of their stores and websites across Europe and the rest of the world.

 

Can't help but wonder why I seem to have been able to get more information from GameStop in just 2 emails over the last 2 days than BioWare have managed in almost a month!

[MarchWaltz]

I share you pain. PC Gaming Master Race forever

Everytime you think we are getting pushed out, just think of Blizzard and the power of WoW.

 

We're going nowhere yo

[KennethAFTopp]

I just like Physical disks.

[Ajna]

Here's the reply I've received from GameStop UK about the release date they are waiting for:

 

 

Seems they're just waiting on the actual date that they can list the PC Collector's Edition as available for pre-order. I just hope their "soon" isn't anything like BioWare's or we could be waiting another month or more! Hopefully this also means that GameStop will be getting copies out to all of their stores and websites across Europe and the rest of the world.

 

Can't help but wonder why I seem to have been able to get more information from GameStop in just 2 emails over the last 2 days than BioWare have managed in almost a month!

Just hope the GameStop staff don't nab them all Grizzly, sounds like they're all waiting eagerly too..

[Bellanaris88]

Soooo...

It seems Bioware ist waiting on Gamestop and Gamestop is waiting on Bioware O.o

[Exaltation]

[Ultimono]

Soooo...

It seems Bioware ist waiting on Gamestop and Gamestop is waiting on Bioware O.o

 

 

 

Well more like Gamestop is waiting on EA, which will take god knows how long

[Aries_cz]

Soooo...

It seems Bioware ist waiting on Gamestop and Gamestop is waiting on Bioware O.o

BW is wating for GameStop Central, and local GameStops are waiting on BioWare, to be a bit more specific

[Cheiron the Centaur]

I just hope they (EA and Gamestop) figure out a way to serve countries that don't have a Gamestop as well... either by Gamestop accepting international orders/shipping, or by another retailer taking over in those countries...