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"Importance of UK"

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Wed 30/01/02 at 16:10
Regular
Posts: 787
I heard from Digitiser that the UK is the 3rd biggest games consumer in the world, after America and Japan.

So why then are we constantly messed around by games companies?

Europe is always last to get consoles and games, fair enough. Japan and America come before us, I can accept that. But you find out that places like Australia are getting games before us... Why? Australia has a population of 17 million I believe, even less will be games buyers. So why do games companies feel the need to release products there (recent example being Medal Of Honour on the PC) I have nothing against Australia, I'm just using it as an example.

I know that companies have to do the different European versions in different languages, but why treat Europe as a continent instead of its individual countries? Why do we have to wait until they've done the French, German and Spanish versions, when all they have to do is ship it as soon as they change it for our systems?

Surely they have to do something to make games and consoles work in Australia, but they get almost everything weeks or even months before us.

Considering Europe is the 3rd biggest market, and our little island is the 3rd biggest consumer, companies don't treat us very well. One day we should all stand up and be counted, complain about the delays and problems with games over here.

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the UK started importing games, because they are cheaper and are available sooner abroad. The games companies wouldn't want this because of the extra money they make from charging us extra.

It sure would teach them a lesson! And maybe even make them wise up and start treating us with the respect we deserve.
Wed 30/01/02 at 17:53
Regular
"poo poo for you!"
Posts: 2,161
and sad panda likes to destroy!!!!
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:47
Regular
"That's right!"
Posts: 10,645
Oh yeah, I'd completely forgotten about Rare

Most Americans don't even know they're a British company!

This makes me a sad panda
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:35
Regular
Posts: 9,848
And here's another thing:

Home-grown games like Perfect Dark and Jet Force Gemini are also released in America first!
It's just not fair...
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:33
Regular
"That's right!"
Posts: 10,645
SmackDown 2 -

"Hey, The Rock, I want to talk to you"

How's that for bad translation? And let's not forget "All your base are belong to us!" Ha ha

You know what may solve the problem of us being treated poorly? If WE had a console producing company. Like Japan has Sony, Nintendo, and the late Sega (meaning no more consoles) and America has X-Box. If we had our own console here in Europe, we would be treated first class, and the other companies would step up their treatment so they don't get crushed in the competition.

Of course this is all highly unlikely.
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:30
Regular
Posts: 9,848
AliBoy wrote:

One thing I think we will see in the future is a universal
> recognised standard, so no more need to convert from NTSC to PAL etc. Fair
> enough they have to change to the various languages but it dosn't take as long
> as the developers like us to think.

Yeah. The PAL difference is a bit of a pain, but doesn't that stem from our 240V mains supply?
Still, with most modern TV's allowing NSTC playback, perhaps the consoles should be made multi region instead, so that we CAN play NSTC games should we want to.

As for translations, bar RPG's, that wouldn't take so long at all, especially as it's usually a botch job anyway...
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:25
Regular
"Picking a winner!"
Posts: 8,502
Yeah sonic is right Europe is the fastest growing market and produces the highest profit.

I personally believe we are treated in what some would call in a much poorer standard than the US and Japan because we accept it. If we complained more to the major console and games developers then maybe things would change.

One thing I think we will see in the future is a universal recognised standard, so no more need to convert from NTSC to PAL etc. Fair enough they have to change to the various languages but it dosn't take as long as the developers like us to think.

As resi mentioned sometimes there is a good point to the wait and also we get to see if games are as good as we are lead to believe before we buy them.

Sadly I don't see things changing much in the near future, it is something I have just got used too so I am not really bothered by it that much anymore.
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:21
Regular
"Back For Good"
Posts: 3,673
Alot of games get improved during the delay, Tekken Tag Tournament got some very enhanced visuals over the jagged Japanese version, fantavision got a whole new 2-player mode and look at metal gear solid with the extra DVD. Ok this doesn't make up for the painfully long delay between Japanese and U.K releases but there is a bright side to it.
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:13
Regular
"---SOULJACKER---"
Posts: 5,448
You've got your numbers muddled...

The UK is the 3rd biggest profit centre as you correctly say. BUT, Europe as a whole produces more profit than the USA or Japan!

Now, why do we get games late... because UK gamers will buy games however poor the conversions, and few people will go and import because of the lateness of UK games. Not only that, we'll even pay over the odds for our games quite happily!

Why does Aussie get games sooner- well, because some manufacturers run Aussie sales form its Japanese division (because it's closer geographically). The Japanese divisions being far more willing to give Aussies a good deal- cheap games, upgrades like GOLD Zelda carts and a games sooner.

Sonic
Wed 30/01/02 at 16:10
Regular
"That's right!"
Posts: 10,645
I heard from Digitiser that the UK is the 3rd biggest games consumer in the world, after America and Japan.

So why then are we constantly messed around by games companies?

Europe is always last to get consoles and games, fair enough. Japan and America come before us, I can accept that. But you find out that places like Australia are getting games before us... Why? Australia has a population of 17 million I believe, even less will be games buyers. So why do games companies feel the need to release products there (recent example being Medal Of Honour on the PC) I have nothing against Australia, I'm just using it as an example.

I know that companies have to do the different European versions in different languages, but why treat Europe as a continent instead of its individual countries? Why do we have to wait until they've done the French, German and Spanish versions, when all they have to do is ship it as soon as they change it for our systems?

Surely they have to do something to make games and consoles work in Australia, but they get almost everything weeks or even months before us.

Considering Europe is the 3rd biggest market, and our little island is the 3rd biggest consumer, companies don't treat us very well. One day we should all stand up and be counted, complain about the delays and problems with games over here.

I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in the UK started importing games, because they are cheaper and are available sooner abroad. The games companies wouldn't want this because of the extra money they make from charging us extra.

It sure would teach them a lesson! And maybe even make them wise up and start treating us with the respect we deserve.

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