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New Zealand has R18 Rating, so why starve us?

StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
edited July 2012 in The Walking Dead
I have no intentions of starting a war here, but I am a little peeved that we in New Zealand are being lumped in with Australia in regards to their OFLC laws. Australia is in the process of having and Adult Rating system implemented, but that's besides the point - NZ already has one. So why can't we purchase this on XBLA/PSN? I know you can get this on steam to play in NZ, but I don't want to play it on PC. If I did, I'd just pirate it. But I want to enjoy the game (and subsequent episodes) on my Xbox.

Am I wrong to say that this is a little unfair?

Feel free to get your flame on, I'm just saying what most of us in NZ are thinking.

Comments

  • corruptbigginscorruptbiggins
    edited July 2012
    As far as I know Aus & NZ are part of the same region for releases and so I doubt that there is a way to only target a part of a region (like say releasing only in the UK in the Europe region) with the consoles.
  • StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
    edited July 2012
    Yeah I guess so, but we got Manhunt released here back in the days which Australia never saw the light of. Okay, so Manhunt was only on the shelves for like 2 days - but still :)
  • GennadiosGennadios
    edited July 2012
    PlayStation? Blame the PSN store, they can't tell the difference. I forgot the title but the Escapist ran an article about another indie game that couldn't get published in NZ for the same reason.

    There's always the PC release, though...
  • MakersWaxMakersWax
    edited July 2012
    I'm going to go ahead and flame you based on the comment that you would pirate the game. You're a terrible person. I hope you never get to play this game. It's very good, by the way. We are all having a blast with it!
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    Nah dude. Go ahead. I've been vocal about it too.

    The truth is, NZ IS a different region to Australia. A few games have been independently submitted to us and them and subsequently passed classification. The truth is TTG doesn't see us worth the $1200 NZD expense to get it classified, yet they are happy to sell PC gamers an unclassified game and break our laws.

    Their response has been to 'buy it on Mac or PC' my laptop won't run it. So that means I have to buy US currency for either my PS3 or XBox 360. Both of which mean I'll have change on the respective consoles that will never get used.

    Then to add insult, they haven't actually confirmed whether they will release it once Australia's R18 rating is in effect. So we could potentially miss season one altogether.
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    Gennadios wrote: »
    PlayStation? Blame the PSN store, they can't tell the difference. I forgot the title but the Escapist ran an article about another indie game that couldn't get published in NZ for the same reason.

    There's always the PC release, though...

    Nope wrong. TTG NEVER submitted the game to our classification body. The blame here solely lies on TTG.
  • MakersWaxMakersWax
    edited July 2012
    If you are worried about it not running on your PC, I would suggest getting the first episode to see if it works. I have a laptop well below the recommended specs with intel integrated graphics, and it runs perfectly. I don't see any of the stuttering or graphics problems mentioned by people with above-spec PCs. I have yet to encounter a bug.
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    But then what if it doesn't work? I have a game I have paid for that I can't play that I won't be able to get a credit on. I've been caught out once already with Amnesia the dark descent. I'm not about to get caught again.

    If Jake (or any other TTG staffer) jumps on here and says he'll refund my money if it doesn't work if I can provide video footage I'll buy it tonight.
  • MakersWaxMakersWax
    edited July 2012
    If you're interested enough in the game to post on the forums, 5 bucks is not so bad. Or, you can wait for the game to be released on console in your country. Alternatively, you can petition for your country to accept another's ratings laws. Sometimes it's put up or shut up.
  • StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
    edited July 2012
    I never said I would pirate the game (or any game, in fact), I'm more than happy to pay for digital content. And have done in the past. And terrible person? Not like I set fire to an orphanage or anything. I just choose to want to use my console that I forked out for. Plus TTG should realize that there are many people in this country who, like me, want to enjoy the game on their consoles. My PC is more than capable of running it, but I spend 90% of my gaming time on my gaming console, on my big TV with my surround system.

    It's good to get some other people's opinions on the matter, regardless. So go for your life :)
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    MakersWax wrote: »
    If you're interested enough in the game to post on the forums, 5 bucks is not so bad. Or, you can wait for the game to be released on console in your country. Alternatively, you can petition for your country to accept another's ratings laws. Sometimes it's put up or shut up.

    You're right $5US ain't bad. But my personal situation is that have to watch my spending especially with gaming. My one salary has to support myself, my partner, my twins, my cats and my dog. Our wages here in NZ are relatively low, and our exchange rate ain't so good either.

    So I have no problem buying the game. The demo I downloaded off the US PSN store showed me that. I have been talking to one of my mates that wrote with me on a site we've reviewed for who has told me the game is awesome I should buy it.

    The problem I have is it needs to be a sure thing it will work. On console, it will be.

    New Zealand is its own economy with very defined borders. Our government won't adopt another countrys rating standards and if it did the only option would have been Australia. But their standard is one of the worst as it stands at the moment.

    So that basically means I need to wait for a local console release. But there has been no communication that this will happen. So the best I can do is come to the forums and hope there is information.
  • StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
    edited July 2012
    I feel you, chickenman. I have to support my wife and daughter on my sole income. Let's just keep our fingers crossed. At least on PS3 you can make a US account and purchase US PSN Credit from ebay :)
  • toothiersnowtoothiersnow
    edited July 2012
    Not to put a downer on this thread, but TTG released an official statement on why this is the situation atm, a quick search of the forum and im sure youll come across it.
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    This one here.

    http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=603626&postcount=16

    _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!

    Trust me I am well aware of it. My problem is their lack of communication PRIOR to release. Bryan posted this 3 days after launch and only after 2 or three threads had been started. And even since then there has been no confirmation that we will get it. Just that we are on their radar.

    The 2nd thing is, IF TTG had submitted the game and it didn't pass classification by Australia, TTG would have been seen as a bunch of GC's for trying anyway. The truth is it probably would have passed classification, but we'll never know. If TTG had submitted and not got classification and kept us up to date prior I would happily go down the path of purchasing US credit for my US account and buy it.

    They didn't, so I'll wait. If its released I'll buy it on launch day, if it isn't released I won't buy. I just would like confirmation. But going by TTGs track record, I doubt we'll get any.
  • StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
    edited July 2012
    Bryan has made valid comments, and it eases the sting a little. Like I said, fingers crossed that we get the full season in one download once Australia gets it's act together :)
  • Hero1Hero1
    edited July 2012
    Hopefully Australians and New Zealanders get a console release in the new year.. In the meantime there is always Steam.
  • IsmokeherbIsmokeherb
    edited July 2012
    Chug along Disco train, chug along.
  • zenstratazenstrata
    edited July 2012
    I think they are starving new zealanders to create an entire island of ravenous undead! Its all an evil plot!
  • ChickenmanChickenman
    edited July 2012
    zenstrata wrote: »
    I think they are starving new zealanders to create an entire island of ravenous undead! Its all an evil plot!

    What would the point in that be? We are seperated from the rest of the world by so much water we could easily be quarantined, or nuked.

    They'd be better off to make Mexico or Canada a country of undead for shits and giggles.

    ;)
  • Hero1Hero1
    edited July 2012
    zenstrata wrote: »
    I think they are starving new zealanders to create an entire island of ravenous undead! Its all an evil plot!

    you mean an island of ravenous undead sheep...
  • StrikeAnywhereXStrikeAnywhereX
    edited July 2012
    Hahah, like in the film Black Sheep kinda?
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