FidelCastrol FidelCastrol

1$ is NOT equal to 1€ !

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1$ is NOT equal to 1€ !

from Demigod Forums

Hello guys & gals.

I see that what happened to Steam is starting to happen to Impulse, and that's really a shame.

Do you guys at Stardock realize that for example, Majesty 2 should cost 28€ at most for us europeans ?

And that's just one example, really.

Red faction guerrilla : 49.99€ instead of 28€ (39.99$). How do you explain that ?

Of course there are games worth getting, like Civ4 Complete, which is a bargain at ~21€ instead of 39.99$.

Anyway I hope I'll get a straight answer as for why there is such a big difference in prices. The same thread on Steam community forums never really helped, and moderators deleted almost every post that seemed disturbing to them. We also never had an answer from Valve.

Thanks for your time.

off-topic
152,954 views 54 replies
Reply #26 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Peace, reply 24
And if 1€ = 0.8 $ like it was few years ago, would you still complaint about regional pricing?
End of Peace's quote

Did I complain when it was the case ? Certainly not, as it was normal to pay more. During this era, I bought games in store, so don't know if I was paying more.

Now, go figure why some retailer like play.com can sell the game for 30€, shipping included. Plus, I get a box and a manual (or something that looks like it).

So if someone sells game above that price, in a digital fashion, then something is definitely wrong.

Reply #27 from Elemental Forums Top

Though the prices actually should be lower in the EU as if many of the games are considered to be "produced" in the USA and together with the US-$ loosing more and more of its worth compared with the Euro the prices should drop rather than staying at high levels.
End of quote

And what about the case of softwares produced in Europe?

Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #28 from Elemental Forums Top

Now, go figure why some retailer like play.com can sell the game for 30€, shipping included. Plus, I get a box and a manual (or something that looks like it).
End of quote

Not sure if contracts for retail products are the same than contract for digital products. It is possible that for retail, the retailer get a specific amount of boxes for a given amount of cash and can sell them at what ever price he wants, while for digitial sales, the publisher sets the price.

Reply #29 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Spooky, reply 17
A proxy wouldn't work, since the actual price will simply determined by your credit card.
End of Spooky's quote

Haven't tried that option yet, but what you say doesn't make a whole lot of sense. You usually only place your credit card information after they set the price.

Would you really submit your credit card info before you knew the price and agreed to buy? Doesn't sound ethical nor safe.

Reply #30 from Demigod Forums Top

In terms of purchase prices, it's entirely reasonable for a non-European to 'Gift' the game to a European, and be charged the cheaper amount. The matter of reimbursement is something for the two parties to discuss amongst themselves. There are always ways around.

Reply #31 from Elemental Forums Top

It is something we bring up all the time.  The publisher sets the price which in turn is bound often by retailers who are very dominant in Europe.

Reply #32 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 31
It is something we bring up all the time.  The publisher sets the price which in turn is bound often by retailers who are very dominant in Europe.
End of Frogboy's quote

Long story short, Stardock can't do anything ?

Reply #33 from Stardock Forums Top

Vote with your wallet.

Resident Evil 5:

Stardock: £29.99
Play.com: £17.99

Not much of a choice is there?

Reply #34 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting FidelCastrol, reply 32
We are aware of some issues with activating copies of Majesty 2 purchased through Impulse.  We are trying to work through them as quickly as possible.

If you are having trouble with your registration, please send an email to mikec@stardock.com with the email address associated to your Impulse account.  Please use the subject line "Majesty 2 Registration Issue" so I can filter them and get to them quickly.
End of FidelCastrol's quote
Don't have publishers in Impulse that follow that practice? And have a public list of those who refused to have a global price for a global service?

Not likely.

Reply #35 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 33

Not much of a choice is there?
End of Fuzzy's quote

Like you say, not much of a choice. That's really sad because Impulse is potentially a great platform. Let's see how this evolves around.

Reply #36 from Demigod Forums Top

Long story short, Stardock can't do anything ?
End of quote

Correct. One day when I write my tell all book I'll have plenty to say about European retailers. People first blame the digital distributors for the pricing and then people blame the publishers but it's really the retailers who put the pressure on (in my opinion). 

You have no idea what sacrifices were made behind the scenes to have Demigod have a single worldwide price.  

Reply #37 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 36

 it's really the retailers who put the pressure on (in my opinion). 
End of Frogboy's quote
Most likely the truth. I'm glad you are your own publishers (when talking about Impulse. The woes of your games in my country are endless and underserved in my opinion)

Reply #38 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 36
You have no idea what sacrifices were made behind the scenes to have Demigod have a single worldwide price.  
End of Frogboy's quote

Thanks ;) at least you care enough.

Reply #39 from Stardock Forums Top

Correct. One day when I write my tell all book I'll have plenty to say about European retailers. People first blame the digital distributors for the pricing and then people blame the publishers but it's really the retailers who put the pressure on (in my opinion).

You have no idea what sacrifices were made behind the scenes to have Demigod have a single worldwide price.
End of quote

I understand, and appreciate all the things you do. There is no-one more vehemently supportive of Stardock, WinCustomize, Impulse, etc, than me. You know that. But there is no way I can support a price difference of +60% for a game.

There are times when the reality of life is all down to money. Businesses realize that - so do customers. There are two sides to everything.

Reply #40 from Stardock Forums Top

For things like these, I'm glad I'm not in the EU at the moment. Someone's making bigger bucks and they'll keep on doing until it lasts.

Quoting Frogboy, reply 36

Long story short, Stardock can't do anything ?


Correct. One day when I write my tell all book I'll have plenty to say about European retailers. People first blame the digital distributors for the pricing and then people blame the publishers but it's really the retailers who put the pressure on (in my opinion). 

You have no idea what sacrifices were made behind the scenes to have Demigod have a single worldwide price.  
End of Frogboy's quote

That's one great piece of information. Everyone can surely appreciate that Stardock continues with a worldwide price for their own software. Also one big difference in communication, as FidelCastrol can attest.

I would hope to see some light on the regional restrictions as well. Knowing why gives some peace of mind... :)

Reply #41 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 36
... One day when I write my tell all book...
End of Frogboy's quote


Ok, cat's out of the bag now. I demand details, and working titles.

Reply #42 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting ZehDon, reply 41



Quoting Frogboy,
reply 36
... One day when I write my tell all book...

Ok, cat's out of the bag now. I demand details, and working titles.

End of ZehDon's quote

2001: A Frog's Odyssey?

Reply #43 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting theentombed, reply 42

Quoting ZehDon, reply 41


Quoting Frogboy,
reply 36
... One day when I write my tell all book...

Ok, cat's out of the bag now. I demand details, and working titles.


2001: A Frog's Odyssey?
End of theentombed's quote

are you sure that it is not 2010 a frog's odtssey II?

harpo

 

Reply #44 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting theentombed, reply 42

2001: A Frog's Odyssey?
End of theentombed's quote

Too boring... I liked Planet of the Frogs better...

Reply #45 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting aLap, reply 40
Also one big difference in communication, as FidelCastrol can attest.
End of aLap's quote

I for one appreciate the honesty of Stardock (via Frogboy's answer). Unlike on steam community forum, no post was deleted whatsoever and we got a straight answer.

Thanks for that :-)

Will keep on supporting Impulse by buying games that are normally priced (I have high hopes for Elemental :D ) . For the rest of the games...well...I'll pass.

I encourage you guys to do so too, so when publishers realize that games aren't selling very well, they might think about trying another strategy ;)

Reply #46 from Demigod Forums Top

Civ4 Complete is on Impulse... sweet!

Reply #47 from Elemental Forums Top

"Imagine there's no countries."

I guess that at some level these are the early signs of the replacement of national governments with an internet technocracy. The next steps are:

1) Move increasing amounts of government and bureaucratic functions online for efficiency gains.

2) Translation software good enough to genuinely bring down the language barrier.

3) Increasing automation of processes.

4) Develop AI.

5) Fight the great AI war of the 2100s.

6) The victor AI will assume power over humanity.

7) With the Earth now a radioactive husk, humans will be required to upload their minds into machine bodies or The Great Collective for survival.

"It isn't hard to do."

Reply #48 from Demigod Forums Top

8) A genetic duplicate of Keanu Reeves will created by the machines, who will gain the ability to control their technology through thought and hearld the downfall of the machines in a much hyped, but ultimately flawed, three part adventure.

Reply #49 from Demigod Forums Top

That's one great piece of information. Everyone can surely appreciate that Stardock continues with a worldwide price for their own software. Also one big difference in communication, as FidelCastrol can attest.
End of quote

I hope people still appreciate that if Elemental isn't available at retail in Europe. :)

 

 

Reply #50 from Demigod Forums Top

if
End of quote

most important part of that reply