/files thread under WGAF, goes and cares about something else.

Oh noes, sorry about that

Back on topic though, here's a bit on Micheal Atkinson, the South Australian Attorney General whom single handedly stands in the way of an R18+ rating for games in Australia:

http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2008/03/why_michael_atkinsons_opposal_of_r18_does_bugger_all_to_protect_kids_promotes_crime.html

Rseman, as much as I hate to pimp a particular store, you really should check out places like play-asia.com if you're able to buy online.

Such online gaming 'emporums' if you will, serve to shed some very harsh light on the ridiculous local prices us Australians are expected to pay.

Given the choice between paying a fair price for a legitimate game albeit imported, and being financically raped at the register by EB and everyone else, I'm sorry to say that I'll continue sending my dollars overseas.

The only area where this wont work though, is online distribution that follows a localised, or 'regionalised' pricing system like that of Steam, or as I like to call it, the 'fuck you Aussies, eat shit and go pay $90 for Call of Duty 4' system.

Import. Import and be happy.
This comment was edited on Aug 28, 10:24.

That's true, it is the South Australian AG holding out on the R18+ for games.

Good point about the prices too. I cant remember the last time I bought a full price game locally, I usually import out of both spite, and principal. Case in point- CoD4. Refusing to pay the $90AUD asking price (especially after the 'yes you Aussies can have it for the US price, no wait sorry you cant' fiasco on Steam), I decided to import for the horrendous price of $40AUD from play-asia. As it turned out, the game i received was the AUSTRALIAN BOXED VERSION!! Oh yes, I ROFL'd.

I really should go to Hong Kong one day, if only to see where so many of my gaming dollars have been sent

This comment was edited on Aug 28, 10:13.

Yep, fine it is. Just the way of it I'm afraid.

On the issue of the Classification system in this country though, not having an R18+ is truly embarassing. Oddly, this only applies to games, as every other form of media is covered by such a rating.

Now, as a bona fide direct descendent of the convicts wot settled these 'ere shores, please excuse me while I go club a baby seal whilst downloading full version R18+ games from uncle torrence.

Oh the humanity!

This comment was edited on Aug 28, 09:55.

No shit.

lol, another JohnBirshire post slinging shit at Bloodlines when a community patch is released eh? Can't wait until they release the next one, and we can hear it all YET AGAIN!

Chowder. Say it Frenchie!

I dont know much about NCsoft's other games, but I know I love playing Guild Wars.

Minimum 9. We need 9 "Hellgate sucks" posts in every single Hellgate related news item.

My work here is done.

Darrell,

Please give us a modern version of X-Wing (and then Tie Fighter) without having to subscribe to a half-arsed MMO.

Thank you.

...action baby.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/671/1/

I wants CrossfireX.

I know, it's ridiculous. Mr Atkinson, Bishop, thanks for being our moral guardians. I mean, as adults (for whom the "R" rating would apply) what would we do without you? Exercise our right to [bhoose[/b] what we do and don't get to see? Heaven forbid.

Clowns. No "R" rating for games only makes the local sale of these items illegal, but does nothing to inhibit the (legal) aquisition via other means. Can you say "import"?

I'll be my OWN moral judge thanks very much fellas. In related news, Mr Atkinson and the Bishop will be holding a book burning in an attempt to rid our country of that awful awful freely available "porn" stuff. Clearly, judging by the number of people running around having sex openly in our streets it cant come soon enough!!

Digital distribution sounds great, or rather it would if I didn't live in Australia. Just like retail boxes, accessing digital distribution in this country often means dealing with some form of 'regional discrimination'. As such, I find myself importing many games these days (often at half the local retail cost). One example - CoD4. USD cost via steam is what, $49USD? We cant buy it for that in Australia though, oh no. Our steam price is artificially bumped up to $89AUD, the same price as the f'ing boxed version. Out of spite, I imported for <$40AUD.

The current exchange rate is 0.928USD for 1AUD btw.

Digital distribution will be mucho convenient, but it isn't necessarily going to lower any costs for gamers , especially wrt AAA titles.

This comment was edited on Feb 26, 22:38.

Who cares. Guild Wars is a once off fee for each game, so it's not like anyone's paying for unused game time if they don't log on. 5 million copies is a good effort.

Sensational! Now we might finally be able to buy local overpriced copies of such gaming gems as uh... Manhunt? Soldier of Fortune 3?

Introducing an R-rating is great for local freedom of access etc (and is long overdue), but unfortunately gets us nothing worthwhile that we can't get MUCH cheaper overseas anyway.

Double post, pls delete.
This comment was edited on Feb 14, 19:30.

Yeah, I played with the v1.2 patch years ago, and will soon be replaying with the Unoffical "Basic" patch and then the "Plus" patch afterward.

The "Basic" version fixes bugs and broken content in the game, while the "Plus" version among other things, also includes 'restored' content that was present in the original game files, but not implemented at release due time contraints.

lol @ JohnBirshire.

Despite a rushed initial release, this game, through the unofficial patches such as this over the intervening years, has grown into a far more complete and all round better game than we ever had any right to expect. Oh, and you're aware that Troika, the original devs are long gone right?


Edit: Consider yourself schooled:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vampire_bloodlines

This comment was edited on Feb 14, 19:21.