Escapists, your knowledge is required

[Griffolion]

So, a friend of mine recently got into a conversation about how certain regions of the world get games released before others. Case in point for today is ME:3, which has seen it's NA release but has the EU still in waiting. In the time when physical copies ruled due to internet tech not being able to handle the download bandwidth required for modern games, I can understand it. Your disk and boxing manufacturer could only supply so much, thus go for one region at a time making sure each one has enough supply rather than going worldwide at once but experiencing shortages everywhere.

But in the time of downloads becoming more prevalent, is this business of staggering releases simply a ritual of the old times, or is there still some legitimate reasons behind it?

Thank you for everyone's input in advance.

Captcha: "Cool heads prevail" - let's remember that for this thread, yeah?

 

[Qitz]

This was brought up in TheGameStation Podcast where TotalBiscuit, who used to work at the UK store GAME, knew that the release date in the UK is the way it is simply because the stores want it that way.

You can also argue that Friday, when most UK games are released, is better since that's when most people will get their paychecks and have two days to play through it.

As for why do it with digital as well, it's probably left over from the physical stores tradition and made it easier for consumers to keep going in the same fashion.

 

[Griffolion]

I think it's a backward practice. As you said, it's understandable for physical copys, but the digital market have no excuse. Worldwide simultaneous realeases would help prevent piracy and stop the game being spoiled for people in regions that get it later.

I do indeed agree with what you say. I do think it's time for publishers to step up in this regard.