Why I will no longer buy any Telltale games

edited July 2012 in The Walking Dead
I live in New Zealand. Telltale has decided not to release these games here because of the backwards ratings laws in Australia. New Zealand is NOT Australia. Just as Canada is not the United States.

Frankly this is pathetic, and short sighted.
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Comments

  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited May 2012
    Awww Cryocore don't be cranky.
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    So you don't buy the games because you can't buy the games and should TTG finally manage to make the games available to you, you won't buy them any longer?

    This world is getting too complicated for me. :rolleyes:
  • edited May 2012
    Aren't they released online and therefore available to anyone who has the internet?
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    This is a console discussion, I think. ;)
  • edited May 2012
    cryocore wrote: »
    I live in New Zealand. Telltale has decided not to release these games here because of the backwards ratings laws in Australia. New Zealand is NOT Australia. Just as Canada is not the United States.

    Frankly this is pathetic, and short sighted.

    Why I don't care that you don't buy any TTG games anymore ....

    because I don't :(


    It seems you really wanted to get The Walking Dead for a console and it's not released yet where you are or something. Why don't you buy it on the website for the pc? Why don't you make a UK account for the consoles and buy it over that one? Or are you waiting for the physical version to be in the store??? I don't really get it and I don't care much.

    But it seems as long, as you can complain and cry unhappily, you're in fact very happy. As happy, as I am, bullying the whiny little kids in the forum :P
  • edited May 2012
    If The Walking Dead didn't get a console release in your region, you have Sony and Microsoft to blame, not Telltale. Despite what you seem to believe, Telltale isn't out to screw New Zealand (or any other country, for that matter) over. They wouldn't do something that made them less money unless cirumstances beyond their control are at work. I'm sure they'd give this game a simultaneous worldwide release if they could.

    ...Oh, wait, they did do that! The PC version of The Walking Dead (along with every other game Telltale's done) can be downloaded off the Telltale Store and Steam regardless of region. You know, in case you needed another reason why PCs are better than consoles. :p
  • edited May 2012
    Can't you buy in some US online store???
  • edited May 2012
    If you have a PS3, you could probably make a US Playstation Network account and then buy a $20 card online (I know bestbuy.com sells downloadable PSN codes, but if this is not possible for you then you could always get a card delivered to you from an import site or something). Then download the game on your US account, as far as I know PS3 games still aren't region locked. If you have an Xbox I dunno what to tell you, I'm not sure if it works the same way.
  • edited May 2012
    Epic Kiwi wrote: »
    If you have a PS3, you could probably make a US Playstation Network account and then buy a $20 card online (I know bestbuy.com sells downloadable PSN codes, but if this is not possible for you then you could always get a card delivered to you from an import site or something). Then download the game on your US account, as far as I know PS3 games still aren't region locked. If you have an Xbox I dunno what to tell you, I'm not sure if it works the same way.

    It sounds a good option.
  • edited May 2012
    So your mad cause you simply cannot purchase the games?
  • edited May 2012
    I had my comment removed before of me just simply saying "fine then bye". But I think I rather straight up say something more eloquent then that.

    The thing your countries border on each other literally with a few hours trip between the two's modern cities with that in mind the fact the AUS government is so strict on games runs over to you guys, the same way many of our ratings in America spill to Mexico's and Canada's way of rating things. it's basically in the geopolitical atmosphere that NZ is in by being located by AUS that restricts the gaming market over there. Blame your government for not trying to distance itself from AUS politically and not allowing some great games to come over there, don't blame telltale.

    Because politically speaking this could blow up in telltales face if done wrong(say people in AUS start importing it in droves and the government finds out) and the laws in AUS can become WORSE and Telltale could be blamed for all wrong doing in the eyes of the law. so telltale rather than attempt that simply let it go.
  • edited May 2012
    _BrYan_ wrote: »
    Hey guys - I happen to be the producer on The Walking Dead that handles game ratings/classifications. I was checking out the forums, saw this post, and just wanted to take a moment to respond to this valid concern from you.

    First of all: I don't feel like anybody is being rude. I understand your excitement to play a game so many others are talking about. I'm sorry you can't get it on console at the moment.

    Typically, our games come to New Zealand because as long as a game is not restricted in Australia, we release in both countries for the cost of just 1 rating. It's been pointed out in this thread already that we pretty much have no chance at getting an Australian rating until early 2013 (when new certification laws come into effect). That said, there IS a way to bypass the Australian rating and attempt to get a game rated directly in New Zealand (See: Mortal Kombat), but the cost of the rating must be weighed against the potential for sales in that reigon. Start by considering the cost of the title. Mortal Kombat has a better chance to make money in New Zealand because it costs roughly 55 dollars MORE than Episode 1 of The Walking Dead. That means they can sell less copies of their game than us and still make money. Even if you opt for the season pass on PSN, Mortal Kombat is still more than twice the cost of The Walking Dead. That means we need to sell a VERY high volume of games in New Zealand to justify the cost (in both time and money) of a New Zealand only rating.

    So, to answer your question: It's a business decision, not a middle finger. Trust me, this is NOT an issue of us disliking our fans in New Zealand, or forgetting about them! Some people in this thread have suggested methoods for getting the game on console already, but my suggestion would be to get it on PC/mac!

    At any rate, I hope this sheds some light on the issue. Again, I'm sorry that we couldn't get this game to your consoles at the same time as places elsewhere, but I just wanted to point out some reasons why and say without spoiling any potential future plans that you guys are on our radar!

    Its fantastic that people look through the forum before jumping to conclusions and having a big sulk about things...
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    Even I didn't know about that post. Thanks for digging it up!
  • edited May 2012
    There ya go, bitch at telltale games because your country has strange censorship laws.


    Makes sense....
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited May 2012
    WingSP117 wrote: »
    There ya go, bitch at telltale games because your country has strange censorship laws.


    Makes sense....

    they just feel cranky. i know whats thats like i'm still cranky at Bill Gates for not letting xbox have Sam and Max season 3
  • edited May 2012
    CapnJay wrote: »
    they just feel cranky. i know whats thats like i'm still cranky at Bill Gates for not letting xbox have Sam and Max season 3

    I understand the feeling, I just think in this case the anger is misplaced.
  • edited May 2012
    cryocore wrote: »
    I live in New Zealand. Telltale has decided not to release these games here because of the backwards ratings laws in Australia. New Zealand is NOT Australia. Just as Canada is not the United States.

    Frankly this is pathetic, and short sighted.
    • You can buy it on their website with no region restrictions
    • This isn't telltale's fault. Its the people that rate the games fault for grouping you guys together
    • You are boycotting the game because you can't buy the game? That isn't how boycotts work.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited May 2012
    Gman5852 wrote: »
    • You can buy it on their website with no region restrictions
    • This isn't telltale's fault. Its the people that rate the games fault for grouping you guys together
    • You are boycotting the game because you can't buy the game? That isn't how boycotts work.

    mc_psp_morbo.jpg

    Boycotts Do not work that way!
  • edited May 2012
    Also, a one-man boycott is pretty meaningless. Even a larger boycott (unless it's REALLY huge) tends to be meaningless, especially if the boycotters lack commitment.

    mwboyvott.jpg
  • edited May 2012
    WingSP117 wrote: »
    There ya go, bitch at telltale games because your country has strange censorship laws.


    Makes sense....

    Say what?

    Strange censorship laws?

    NZ like the US has an R18 rating. It's Australia that has the strange law, not NZ. The op is like myself from NZ.

    The op has a valid point about boycotting the game. As posted above, Bryan from TTG has publicly said they will not release a console version here because they don't see the NZ market as big enough to warrant putting the game through our censorship process. Even though it will only cost $1200 USD.

    So yes we actually do have every right to bitch at TTG.

    And before I am told to get it on PC, my laptop won't run it. I have consoles for gaming.
  • edited May 2012
    I think Telltale overestimated the strictness of our Australian censorship laws. From playing TWD there is absolutely no way this game would have gotten over an MA 15+ rating.

    Other games in my collection with an MA15+ rating
    GTA 4 - dealing with killing innocent people, police, drug usage, criminal activity etc
    COD - including the zombies mode where you can shoot zombie heads off
    Assassins creed series

    Hell the Saw movies which are pretty gory where rated MA 15 (well all but 2 of them) and so was the movie Zombieland, Resident Evil etc.

    So I really don't know what TTG where concerned with - unless some stuff in future episodes had them worried.
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    This game got an 18+ rating in Germany IMMEDIATELY. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in it.
  • edited May 2012
    This game got an 18+ rating in Germany IMMEDIATELY. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in it.

    Really? I guess I don't find anything in this game very disturbing or that much more violent than what we would see in an MA 15 movie or game over here.
    E.g. of things in movies/TV that are MA 15+ over here:
    - Saving Private Ryan - see a guy get blown in half and see his guts hanging out. Guy gets arm blown off and see them walk around and pick it back up.
    - Zombieland- countless zombies blown to bits
    - TWD TV show - I'm sure everyone has watched this
    -Saw movies - too many gory moments to mention - cutting of feet, bullets through guys head (see the empty hole in the guys head), guy burnt alive with acid, Asian guy in first movie getting blown to bits.

    I know they see stuff a bit different with games due to the difference from watching it to actually doing the violence.

    Guess I'm a bit desensitized to it and don't get offended very easy by swearing or violence.
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    Two of my friends were pretty turned off by the violence degree in the game ALTHOUGH they're both totally into zombie stuff. Now, I do see their stance as a bit of a paradox, but there's a lot going on with gore,
    heads and eyes, axe, hammer and screwdriver
    specifically that just isn't for everyone.
  • edited May 2012
    Epic Kiwi wrote: »
    If you have a PS3, you could probably make a US Playstation Network account and then buy a $20 card online (I know bestbuy.com sells downloadable PSN codes, but if this is not possible for you then you could always get a card delivered to you from an import site or something). Then download the game on your US account, as far as I know PS3 games still aren't region locked. If you have an Xbox I dunno what to tell you, I'm not sure if it works the same way.
    Yeah a friend of mine is constantly doing that on the PS3 that will work.

    p.s.: I want pineapple lumps for the advice :P
  • edited May 2012
    Fine, don't buy. Why do you have to impart that useless knowledge on the rest of us? It's not like Telltale is going bankrupt without your 25 bucks.
  • edited May 2012
    This game got an 18+ rating in Germany IMMEDIATELY. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in it.

    I think this game didn't get a rating here.
    We aren't used to rate games...
  • puzzleboxpuzzlebox Telltale Alumni
    edited May 2012
    This game got an 18+ rating in Germany IMMEDIATELY. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in it.
    meds wrote: »
    Really? I guess I don't find anything in this game very disturbing or that much more violent than what we would see in an MA 15 movie or game over here.
    [...]
    I know they see stuff a bit different with games due to the difference from watching it to actually doing the violence.

    Yeah... don't forget repeatedly pounding
    a lady zombie's face with a hammer until her skull shatters
    . Games are rated harder than TV or movies because of the interactive element (it's considered higher impact). In terms of the Australian rating I can definitely see why they didn't want to go for the rating and potentially (even probably) fail, especially when there's an Aussie R rating on the horizon.
  • edited May 2012
    Chickenman wrote: »
    Say what?

    Strange censorship laws?

    NZ like the US has an R18 rating. It's Australia that has the strange law, not NZ. The op is like myself from NZ.

    The op has a valid point about boycotting the game. As posted above, Bryan from TTG has publicly said they will not release a console version here because they don't see the NZ market as big enough to warrant putting the game through our censorship process. Even though it will only cost $1200 USD.

    So yes we actually do have every right to bitch at TTG.

    And before I am told to get it on PC, my laptop won't run it. I have consoles for gaming.

    No, you do in fact have no "right to bitch at TTG". Well, okay, I guess you have the liberty/freedom of speech/bs, but this ranting is just meaningless.

    I have no console and would like to play heavy rain or RDR. And I don't go to the publisher or developer or Sony/MS to complain. I just mention this to show that others can accept such "tragedy".

    Think a minute about your 1st world problem...
  • edited May 2012
    Gman5852 wrote: »
    • This isn't telltale's fault. Its the people that rate the games fault for grouping you guys together

    Technically it isn't even that.

    The game could probably get through the Australian classification board with just an M15+ rating (most games do), but it's risky, especially since nobody knows how graphic/censor-worthy the series will get over the next few months.

    Instead of taking that chance, and potentially losing a lot of money over nothing, Telltale are waiting until Australia implements an R18+ rating for games (1/1/2013). TWD will definitely get through there, and thus the console version of the game will finally be cost-effective in that region (as opposed to only launching in NZ, which might not be very profitable alone).
  • edited May 2012
    This game got an 18+ rating in Germany IMMEDIATELY. There's some pretty gruesome stuff in it.

    I remember the good old German Version Games. Zombies had/still have green blood.
  • edited May 2012
    Isterio wrote: »
    No, you do in fact have no "right to bitch at TTG". Well, okay, I guess you have the liberty/freedom of speech/bs, but this ranting is just meaningless.

    I have no console and would like to play heavy rain or RDR. And I don't go to the publisher or developer or Sony/MS to complain. I just mention this to show that others can accept such "tragedy".

    Think a minute about your 1st world problem...

    I understand what you are saying regarding Heavy Rain, RDR. However these games were made as Console games. You complaining that you can't play them would be like me complaining that I can't play SWKOTOR, pointless.

    This however is different. TWD has been released on console. TTG never submitted the game for fear of rejection in Australia. So subsequently, us Kiwi's can't play TWD on our Consoles, we do have an R18 rating. PC gamers are catered for though, by the dubious and possibly illegal use of steam; they are selling an unrated game in NZ.

    This is more like the multiple threads asking for French, German, Italian and Spanish translations. Although our request is much cheaper to implement.

    Then there is the relative lack of communication from TTG, there have been two posts in the forums, which needed to be searched out. We weren't told until the day before launch we weren't getting TWD.

    And yes I know I can buy from the US Store, my point is if TTG can't be bothered investing in my country, I can't be bothered investing in them.
  • edited May 2012
    I think the developer's expression that the game would be worse than the comic is why it has reached a high rating already.
    Personally, i'm very skeptical of that claim after playing the first episode. The violence felt more cartoonish and nothing happened to make me think "Oh god." They're gonna have to
    brutally kill kids, rape women, or crucify someone
    to top the comic. Actually, after what
    Michonne does to the Governor
    , I seriously doubt they'll top the comic.

    Take this as a challenge TT!
  • edited May 2012
    Damn chillforce, not sure what the minigames for what your suggesting would entail! Lol
  • edited May 2012
    Chickenman wrote: »
    I understand what you are saying regarding Heavy Rain, RDR. However these games were made as Console games. You complaining that you can't play them would be like me complaining that I can't play SWKOTOR, pointless.

    This however is different. TWD has been released on console. TTG never submitted the game for fear of rejection in Australia. So subsequently, us Kiwi's can't play TWD on our Consoles, we do have an R18 rating. PC gamers are catered for though, by the dubious and possibly illegal use of steam; they are selling an unrated game in NZ.

    This is more like the multiple threads asking for French, German, Italian and Spanish translations. Although our request is much cheaper to implement.

    Then there is the relative lack of communication from TTG, there have been two posts in the forums, which needed to be searched out. We weren't told until the day before launch we weren't getting TWD.

    And yes I know I can buy from the US Store, my point is if TTG can't be bothered investing in my country, I can't be bothered investing in them.

    That's your right. But why bother and still coming back here? I don't think that things will change soon and there were some suggestions of how to get the game anyway.
  • CapnJayCapnJay Banned
    edited May 2012
    Chillforce wrote: »
    I think the developer's expression that the game would be worse than the comic is why it has reached a high rating already.
    Personally, i'm very skeptical of that claim after playing the first episode. The violence felt more cartoonish and nothing happened to make me think "Oh god." They're gonna have to
    brutally kill kids, rape women, or crucify someone
    to top the comic. Actually, after what
    Michonne does to the Governor
    , I seriously doubt they'll top the comic.

    Take this as a challenge TT!


    Thats not a good sign. but im sure telltale wont go that far.
  • VainamoinenVainamoinen Moderator
    edited May 2012
    Chillforce wrote: »
    They're gonna have to
    brutally kill kids, rape women, or crucify someone
    to top the comic. Actually, after what
    Michonne does to the Governor
    , I seriously doubt they'll top the comic.

    Take this as a challenge TT!

    The comic tried to break any gory taboo regardless of narrative necessity or coherence. I in fact expect Telltale to achieve far more shock with far less blunt application of repulsive action and imagery than Kirkman's - sad to say - less skillful endeavors in the Governor storyline.

    Hopefully THAT will be the challenge for Telltale. Just making it more "hardcore" - any kid could do that.
  • edited May 2012
    cryocore wrote: »
    I live in New Zealand. Telltale has decided not to release these games here because of the backwards ratings laws in Australia. New Zealand is NOT Australia. Just as Canada is not the United States.

    Frankly this is pathetic, and short sighted.

    Rage? I mean common it's not TT fault. Blame your country with there stupid laws and stuff. ;)
  • edited May 2012
    cryocore wrote: »
    I live in New Zealand. Telltale has decided not to release these games here because of the backwards ratings laws in Australia. New Zealand is NOT Australia. Just as Canada is not the United States.

    Frankly this is pathetic, and short sighted.

    Make sense really.
    You wont buy Telltale games because their not available in your country.
    But why make a post about it?
  • edited May 2012
    Lars80 wrote: »
    Make sense really.
    You wont buy Telltale games because their not available in your country.
    But why make a post about it?
    I remember when Capcom decided not to release Ace Attorney Investigations 2 in the US. I sure showed them by not buying it after that!
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