RANDOM VIDEO GAME NEWS

[marelooke]

Kind of surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, so here it is:

The EU is investigating (among others, not really relevant to our little forum) Valve for breaking antitrust regulations, in Valve's case the commission wants to find out if the company has abused its position to try to divide the European single market with the use of geo-blocking in its dealing with select publishers. The specifics are in the EC press release, which is quite readable (and short).

[Raithe]

 

 

Not the most informative trailer ever, but I guess this is an expansion for Stellaris.  I'll get that game someday, I hear it's quite good, though I don't have time for a grand strategy right now.

I quit Stellaris a while back because I got into a bit of an arms race with my neighbors (it is really boring). Plus I'm trying to cut down on my alcohol intake and the way I prefer to play Stellaris is drunk while listening to Aqua. 

 

 

I think in some ways Stellaris is a typical game from Paradox. It's an interesting game, but it's probably more worthwhile to wait a year or two and for the next half a dozen dlc to come out and be on  steam sale and have the much more expanded game play and fine-tuning.

[Mamoulian War]

Kind of surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, so here it is:

The EU is investigating (among others, not really relevant to our little forum) Valve for breaking antitrust regulations, in Valve's case the commission wants to find out if the company has abused its position to try to divide the European single market with the use of geo-blocking in its dealing with select publishers. The specifics are in the EC press release, which is quite readable (and short).

This was due to happen sooner or later. I am eager to see what will be the outcome.

[Malcador]

https://torrentfreak.com/crackers-swarm-as-denuvo-website-leaks-secret-information-170205/ Probably harmless to them, but a bit funny.

[HoonDing]

"crackers swarm"

 

Funny mental picture.

[redneckdevil]

Kind of surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, so here it is:

The EU is investigating (among others, not really relevant to our little forum) Valve for breaking antitrust regulations, in Valve's case the commission wants to find out if the company has abused its position to try to divide the European single market with the use of geo-blocking in its dealing with select publishers. The specifics are in the EC press release, which is quite readable (and short).

Is this a moment of damned if u do and damnedbif u don't?

Is this about prices or is it about a availability in certain countries (censorship comes to mind of the last one while different currencies for the other)

[Mamoulian War]

 

Kind of surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, so here it is:

The EU is investigating (among others, not really relevant to our little forum) Valve for breaking antitrust regulations, in Valve's case the commission wants to find out if the company has abused its position to try to divide the European single market with the use of geo-blocking in its dealing with select publishers. The specifics are in the EC press release, which is quite readable (and short).

Is this a moment of damned if u do and damnedbif u don't?

Is this about prices or is it about a availability in certain countries (censorship comes to mind of the last one while different currencies for the other)

Well the equivalent for our US friends, would be, if Valve would decide to set price on Steam e.g. Call of Duty in California at 60USD and in Ohio at 70USD. And would block all Ohio inhabitants to purchase the game in California.

 

The same is happening all the time in Europe, and European Commision has decided some time ago, that they would want to enfore one digital market with same prices across all EU countries. This Valve investigation is in accordance to this goal.

Edited February 6, 2017 by Mamoulian War

[redneckdevil]

 

 

Kind of surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, so here it is:

The EU is investigating (among others, not really relevant to our little forum) Valve for breaking antitrust regulations, in Valve's case the commission wants to find out if the company has abused its position to try to divide the European single market with the use of geo-blocking in its dealing with select publishers. The specifics are in the EC press release, which is quite readable (and short).

Is this a moment of damned if u do and damnedbif u don't?

Is this about prices or is it about a availability in certain countries (censorship comes to mind of the last one while different currencies for the other)

Well the equivalent for our US friends, would be, if Valve would decide to set price on Steam e.g. Call of Duty in California at 60USD and in Ohio at 70USD. And would block all Ohio inhabitants to purchase the game in California.

 

The same is happening all the time in Europe, and European Commision has decided some time ago, that they would want to enfore one digital market with same prices across all EU countries. This Valve investigation is in accordance to this goal.

I thought the whole region lock was because of censorship laws in certain countries though? So everyone in the EU uses the euro and no other currency?

For example let's use Germany and the South Park stick of truth.

In Germany due to their censorship laws, they can only sell a certain censored game in Germany but in Spain they can sell the reg game. Some one Germany could not buy the Spanish game because since steam sold them a copy that goes against their laws, steam would be fined.

So if each country has different censorship laws, then that's on the EU fault for not having the same product go to everyone. The prices I don't get why and I do believe that needs to change but I don't know the reason why. They may have a good reason but most likely they don't. I am interested as well in what happens. **** the EU if they mess up my steam though, **** them in the ass.

[Chilloutman]

well i am not sure, but even that in my country we don't use Euro, i still pay in euros one steam...

[sorophx]

I thought the whole region lock was because of censorship laws in certain countries though? So everyone in the EU uses the euro and no other currency?

the way I see it, the primary goal is to stop people from buying games cheaper. Steam has very positive experiences with setting up region-specific stores on their platform.

 

namely, Steam managed to become huge in Russia by dropping prices significantly for Russian users (my friends in Russia on average pay only one third of the game's price compared to me). so, naturally, Steam doesn't want people from the US or Germany to be able to spoof their IPs and buy games at Russian prices. therefore, games bought in the Russian Steam store are blocked if you try to launch them while having your IP address originate somewhere other than Russia. 

 

since the EU has significant disparity in income across its many member-states, I'm sure Valve separates its prices for different regions, implementing the same kind of blocking. 

[Chilloutman]

 

I thought the whole region lock was because of censorship laws in certain countries though? So everyone in the EU uses the euro and no other currency?

the way I see it, the primary goal is to stop people from buying games cheaper. Steam has very positive experiences with setting up region-specific stores on their platform.

 

namely, Steam managed to become huge in Russia by dropping prices significantly for Russian users (my friends in Russia on average pay only one third of the game's price compared to me). so, naturally, Steam doesn't want people from the US or Germany to be able to spoof their IPs and buy games at Russian prices. therefore, games bought in the Russian Steam store are blocked if you try to launch them while having your IP address originate somewhere other than Russia. 

 

since the EU has significant disparity in income across its many member-states, I'm sure Valve separates its prices for different regions, implementing the same kind of blocking.

 

ha, i wish. My country have 1/3 of average salary of Germany but same prices on steam as Germany

[marelooke]

 

I thought the whole region lock was because of censorship laws in certain countries though? So everyone in the EU uses the euro and no other currency?

the way I see it, the primary goal is to stop people from buying games cheaper. Steam has very positive experiences with setting up region-specific stores on their platform.

 

namely, Steam managed to become huge in Russia by dropping prices significantly for Russian users (my friends in Russia on average pay only one third of the game's price compared to me). so, naturally, Steam doesn't want people from the US or Germany to be able to spoof their IPs and buy games at Russian prices. therefore, games bought in the Russian Steam store are blocked if you try to launch them while having your IP address originate somewhere other than Russia. 

 

since the EU has significant disparity in income across its many member-states, I'm sure Valve separates its prices for different regions, implementing the same kind of blocking.

 

Exactly, the EU is rather schizophrenic in that way. One the one hand they want to entirely open up the internal market which would eventually undo this income disparity. But on the other hand there are the powers that be that benefit from the current situation and try to maintain it.

 

Kinda makes me want to look up the economic history of the German states now.

Edited February 6, 2017 by marelooke

[Katphood]

 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has a Pro HUD mode for the purists among you (VG247)

Edited February 7, 2017 by Katphood

[Bartimaeus]

That's neat, I guess. I've always thought the HUDs in Zelda games have been a bit too over the top - I know what A and B do at this point, guys, don't need to have those icons permanently there for me to see - so I'd probably use that if I ever play that.

Edited February 7, 2017 by Bartimaeus

[Fenixp]

You mean you have powers of basic cognition!?

 

You must be some form of pro!

[Fenixp]

Opening Steam user Profiles can lead to bad things happening goes the rumor. I'm pretty sure it's not officially confirmed, but it looks legit. Better safe than sorry I guess?

[Bartimaeus]

Your own activity feed, too. Although you should hopefully not have friends that would make use of such an exploit...

Edited February 7, 2017 by Bartimaeus

[Wrath of Dagon]

Releases in April:

[Malcador]

Can't wait to be disappointed

[HoonDing]

I bought that in August lol.

[Keyrock]

[HoonDing]

No Bound by flame sequel? Mathras was awesomest arrpeegee companion since Jan Jansen.

[Keyrock]

No Bound by flame sequel? 

Not yet, anyway.  I quite liked Bound By Flame, so hopefully we get a sequel eventually.

[Oerwinde]

http://www.pcgamer.com/greedfall-teaser-reveals-a-baroque-inspired-rpg-about-the-perils-of-colonization/?utm_content=bufferc1dd2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=buffer-pcgamertw

 

Its like someone was reading my posts in every "what is your dream RPG" thread ever. Hopefully doesn't disappoint.

[Majek]

Maybe this will be their smash hit. Hmm.