By other sources, I assume you're talking about those flithy CD-key resellers? Ironically, did you ever wonder how they got those keys? Yeap, from retail copies in regions where the games are priced significantly lower than anywhere else. Those companies are scum.

The thing is, that's exactly how sales work; If you want the product now, you pay full price. Otherwise, you wait an undetermined amount of time for the product to drop in price. It's basic economics 101.

If all you ever care about is getting games at sales prices, by no means am I stopping you from enjoying it. But, don't assume that because you think it's the best value for money, then others should automatically follow suit.

PS. I paid RM 139 for Batman and I enjoyed it for almost 2 years before Steam made it RM 30. I do not regret that purchase one bit.

so, what are the latest promotion available?

Arkham City will be a day 1 purchase for me because i really enjoyed the 1st one. Screw waiting a year for it to go on sale.

Anyway steam sales! Batman GOTY for US7.50 is an awesome buy. If you don't have it! GETTIT!

Doesn't work that way.

There are competition within digital distributors (ie. Gamer's Gate, Green Gaming and etc). Although,Steam holds the biggest market share at the moment, this doesn't mean that every other digital distributors will have to follow suit.

It will be the way of the future. It is only a matter of when.

Developers want better margin.

Retailers need to increase price because the margin they are currently getting cannot sustain their business for long as they have way more fixed cost than that of a Digital Distributors.

Yup, get this game nao!
I dun like batman so i never thought of buying this game, but i was too free a couple of week ago, and download this highly rated game's demo from steam, and OMG, it is awesome!

No.

I am very sure your achievement points for XBL isn't just from those.

If I remembered correctly you have 20k plus.

Let's say each game has 1k points therefore you have played 20 games.

Within 20 games, how many games are singleplayer only?

I doubt all 20 games are all mp.

I'm pretty sure it does because there's this thing called RRP. AFAIK, online DD services are never allowed to sell below RRP for new release titles. They can do promos and whatnot, but are never allowed to undercut it. This actually holds true to retail as well. Plus, brick and mortar retailers are given free reign to undercut as much as they want (Just look at our own pbbseller), unlike DD sites where it has to be approved by the devs (And unlike retail, the devs still get the same cut of the profits)

Fact remains though, all this perceived perks of online DDs where you can get cheaper games usually only apply for games on sale and never for new titles. Unless of course Steam decides to localize themselves to our market, I'd say a lot of local distros have them beat here.

Enjoy your sale, I'll be enjoying the game while you wait.

There are day one sales, though not many but there are.

ie. Total War Shogun 2 with 30% cashback. Way below RRP.

And what we are used to 10% off preorder on first day.

Those titles are slightly below RRP.

This post has been edited by kianweic: Mar 23 2011, 03:38 PM

I'm trying hard to understand what is your point?

If he had gone to his friend's house and played with his friend's XBL account, would it then be ok? If so, your piracy argument will make even less sense than before.

Amazon US provides 50% discounts on future games when you preorder. And they're a physical media reseller.

You think this cashback thing only happens with DD?

I have less than 20k Gamerpoints. Thanks for trying. I also don't have XBLGold, so it's impossible for me to go MP. I don't get your point in listing those reasons though. Doesn't help your argument nor helps your issue. I'm not pirating.

This post has been edited by Yuki Ijuin: Mar 23 2011, 03:41 PM

I don't care if people will follow suit, or mind if they were to find some other way to get the game.

I was once like you too, believing everything you just said. Appriciation for value when the games come out, supporting local stores hard work etc. I agree fully. But those are just personal views on what is presented. Doesn't matter in the business world.

People will always go for the cheaper option (malaysian mentality of wan more discount), Steam collectors where they always want to expand thier list (its real).

No one cares where where the cd keys comes from, as long as it works who cares. Its a business, same as any other business out there. I stoped living in my own world long ago, as bitter as the business world is, the bigger shark will always kill the smaller one.

And yes, i already got BATMAN ASylum when it was 75% off. Being a working man im not in the hurry to play anything, i can wait~

This post has been edited by meetxj9: Mar 23 2011, 03:42 PM

Isn't he using his own XBL account?

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Added on March 23, 2011, 3:44 pmThe argument was there are no discounts on day one release for Digital distribution.

I don't get how playing a full single player game without paying is not piracy.

This post has been edited by kianweic: Mar 23 2011, 03:44 PM

First of all, those are preorder deals... Preorder deals are different and are actively used by both retail and online DD services, so it's not really a boon to either side.

I'm talking about straight up buying a game, fresh (Without preordering) from either retail or online DD services. Find me a game that sold well below RRP if you bought it day one without a preorder.

Then would it be okay for me to use my friend's XBL account instead?

An account was needed when in Gears of War 1, the first game I've played on the X360. An additional XBL offline profile had to be created for Local Co-op, if you have a way of getting past that. Do let me know.

The same goes for GFWL games with LAN, like RE5. A profile must be created.

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Added on March 23, 2011, 3:47 pmExactly, even GamersGate and D2D doesn't give you cashback for day one purchases. So your argument is contradicting the facts of the case.

I don't get how listening to songs on the radio without paying is not piracy according to your logic, or using an atm machine without buying the service from the bank, or using the public transport without owning a bus.

This post has been edited by Yuki Ijuin: Mar 23 2011, 03:47 PM

Frankly speaking, if you couldn't care less about our local retail industry or even where your games come from, I don't think I want to care what you think. I'm just grateful that there are many here that do not think the same as you.

No offence really. It's just that your ideology conflicts heavily with mine and you seem set with it and I can only foresee any argument resulting in tears and blood.

This post has been edited by H@H@: Mar 23 2011, 03:48 PM

Fair enough.

I am not against physical copies. I am just arguing from a business perspective. Developers will always want more money.

They are all in a business.

I am interested to know about single player.

If it's ok to get one singleplayer game and get more than 2-3 persons to enjoy does not constitute pirating, than fine I rest my case.

I can understand that multiplayer games meant for more than 1 person to enjoy.

Anyway, to our regular forumers, if you're really that keen on looking up promotions, I suggest using the Great Game Promo thread instead where it's nice and clean and free of opinions.

Ehmmm, if I bought a double player game or a game that needs a group like my neighbours who likes Monopoly, and they all come to my place to play while having beer, are they pirating my games? Damn pirates. They should be paying ME something for the entertainment!!!

Be careful with Steamwork games though, they are quite picky where you get your games and may ask you to produce "proof".

But i use Steam only , diehard fan here