The other problem, particularly with console games, is the PAL display system. This means that we have to wait for the UK/European translation/release before the games are 'ready' for the Australian market. Then add the OFLC into the deal and you've got a lot of extra overhead just to hit this small market.
While yes, this applies to console games, how does this apply to PC games on Steam? No or minimal localization necessary, and if there is minimal localization, it still doesn't justify having to pay almost twice as much.
In Australia, we have a 10% GST, but our dollar is reasonably strong these days compared to the US dollar.
For years we've been getting ripped off on video games, historically, the excuse has been shipping, but I'm not sure if I buy that at all anymore, after all, I'm sure most duplicating and printing is actually done locally these days rather than being shipped from the US/Europe/Asia... as proof of it being a case "what the market can bear", and not shipping/taxes, games available on Steam offer a great example.
Bioshock got discounted recently on Steam, in the US it's available for US$14.99, but if you're in Australia, you'll be paying US$24.99. Does it cost Valve/2K Games more to sell the game over here when there's no shipping involved, or is just because in Australia we're used to paying more for games? This isn't the only example of the same kind of thing happening on Steam, but it's the most recent one that I can think of.
Oh, and the "Rock Band" example, TCO for Rock Band over here using the cheapest example is going to be around AUD$400, at current exchange rates, that's USD$380... oh, and it's not even being released before Rock Band 2 is released in the US.
(And no, I have no intention of paying $400 for Rock Band, that's crazy, but as long as hardcore gamers keep buying it for that price, that's what we'll be paying).
To all of us rational minded people, we may look at the comment that the kotaku reader left and think this lawsuit is very silly, but we're talking about Jack Thompson here. In his mind, games like Grand Theft Auto aren't games, they're training tools to teach potential future killers.
To us, we may see this user's comment that that Jack should be shot for attempting to exploit the tragedy as the hyperbole that it is. To Jack though, this is potentially a trained killer making a threat, which is ridiculous, but then again, so is Jack Thompson in general.
Actually, what you're saying isn't quite true. Most cell phone towers are actually pointing their antennas downwards, which is why many cell phone providers wont guarantee service to people living in apartments or working offices above the tenth floor, unless the building his its own cell node.
The other thing is, and this may just be the conspiracy theorist in me coming out, cell phones cause minimum interference to instruments on planes, the main reason they don't want you using your cell phone, particularly while taxi-ing and such, when your cell phone will definitely be working and have a signal, is because they want you to use their (very expensive) air phones.
Of course, with roaming in the US being so unbelievably crap compared to other places in the world (mainly Europe, although here in Australia, the cell phone coverage is generally excellent too), as well as having many different competing standards, I'll agree with you on one thing, I don't see them installing cell phone nodes in planes anytime soon.
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The other problem, particularly with console games, is the PAL display system. This means that we have to wait for the UK/European translation/release before the games are 'ready' for the Australian market. Then add the OFLC into the deal and you've got a lot of extra overhead just to hit this small market.
While yes, this applies to console games, how does this apply to PC games on Steam? No or minimal localization necessary, and if there is minimal localization, it still doesn't justify having to pay almost twice as much.
Hah, you almost have it good..
In Australia, we have a 10% GST, but our dollar is reasonably strong these days compared to the US dollar.
For years we've been getting ripped off on video games, historically, the excuse has been shipping, but I'm not sure if I buy that at all anymore, after all, I'm sure most duplicating and printing is actually done locally these days rather than being shipped from the US/Europe/Asia... as proof of it being a case "what the market can bear", and not shipping/taxes, games available on Steam offer a great example.
Bioshock got discounted recently on Steam, in the US it's available for US$14.99, but if you're in Australia, you'll be paying US$24.99. Does it cost Valve/2K Games more to sell the game over here when there's no shipping involved, or is just because in Australia we're used to paying more for games? This isn't the only example of the same kind of thing happening on Steam, but it's the most recent one that I can think of.
Oh, and the "Rock Band" example, TCO for Rock Band over here using the cheapest example is going to be around AUD$400, at current exchange rates, that's USD$380... oh, and it's not even being released before Rock Band 2 is released in the US.
(And no, I have no intention of paying $400 for Rock Band, that's crazy, but as long as hardcore gamers keep buying it for that price, that's what we'll be paying).
To all of us rational minded people, we may look at the comment that the kotaku reader left and think this lawsuit is very silly, but we're talking about Jack Thompson here. In his mind, games like Grand Theft Auto aren't games, they're training tools to teach potential future killers.
To us, we may see this user's comment that that Jack should be shot for attempting to exploit the tragedy as the hyperbole that it is. To Jack though, this is potentially a trained killer making a threat, which is ridiculous, but then again, so is Jack Thompson in general.
Last time I was there (earlier this year), they asked us switch off cell phones after they closed the doors.
Actually, what you're saying isn't quite true. Most cell phone towers are actually pointing their antennas downwards, which is why many cell phone providers wont guarantee service to people living in apartments or working offices above the tenth floor, unless the building his its own cell node.
The other thing is, and this may just be the conspiracy theorist in me coming out, cell phones cause minimum interference to instruments on planes, the main reason they don't want you using your cell phone, particularly while taxi-ing and such, when your cell phone will definitely be working and have a signal, is because they want you to use their (very expensive) air phones.
Of course, with roaming in the US being so unbelievably crap compared to other places in the world (mainly Europe, although here in Australia, the cell phone coverage is generally excellent too), as well as having many different competing standards, I'll agree with you on one thing, I don't see them installing cell phone nodes in planes anytime soon.
www.degenatron.com has an emulator of the classic Degenatron system, including all 3 games!