posted 02-08-99 06:04 PM ET         

Against the possibilities of 1) my rant causing the second thread lock of the day and 2) I might be barred from these boards for having ranted so, I bid you all a conditional farewell.

posted 02-08-99 08:05 PM ET            

Also, don't get pissed at EA. This is exactly what happens for short periods of time in the Wing Commander community. After awhile, people start coming to their senses and relize that EA is the best publishing company around or spend there whole day in a chat room talking to a 50 year old man who likes pictures of teens. Thats actually true.

posted 02-08-99 11:15 PM ET            

To all my dear friends foreign and domestic who seem to misunderstand my strong sense of nationalism for a hatred of foreign nations, I suggest you read every single one of my messages again. Nowhere in any single one did I mention my feelings for any other country, only my feeling that the United States was the greatest. So please save the rhetoric for some freshman poly sci class.
The only national insults that I saw slung were at the "lazy, ignorant, stupid Americans."

For those haven't followed the press hatred for the United States is not new, nor is
it unexpected. The U.S. stands alone as a world power, we have an extremly high standard of living, we define modern personal freedom, and above all we have shown that the finest form of government is one of the people, by the people, and for the people.

I'm not going to sit around and bicker with people (foreign and domestic) who believe that we live in some sugar coated police state. The suggestion itself is laughable.
I've seen European socialism in action, and to me it leaves much to be desired.

In closing I would like to remind people of the original reason I post EA/Firaxis forgot where their bread is buttered.
(1) The game was developed in the U.S. by a
U.S. company.
(2) The English version of the game was
done some time ago, but because EA
wanted to do a simultaneous worldwide
release the held the game back from
our markets to complete the translations
etc.
(3) EA did release the game early in Asia
and Australia for what appears to an
attempt to combat the rampant pirating
of titles in Asia.
(4) In essence they have rewarded customers
that support the pirate industry, and
left their largest market to wait.

posted 02-08-99 11:29 PM ET            

What appears to be. Hmmm. Doesn't sound like the definitive reason to me. Doesn't sound like you're an employee of EA who knows what is going on. Sounds like you're listening to rumours too much.

Personally, as an anti-pirate (and yes, anti-Warez as well), I resent being referred to as a pirate, or someone who supports the pirate industry.

Just cos Australia (where I come from) and NZ happen to get one game a little early, suddenly it is because of Piracy, and we're all Pirates.

Well, I for one am just happy that we finally get one game before the rest of the world. Rather than the games companies pandering to the American Market by deliberately (in some cases) releasing games in the States in such a way as to make a simultaneous release possible, after PROMISING that there would be a simultaneous world-wide release.

So gee, we finally get one game early, and it annoys you. Well, see my heart breaking on the floor?

posted 02-08-99 11:39 PM ET            

And sorry if I sound annoyed, but some of the people in the other thread complaining really annoyed me.

Hmm, calm now...

posted 02-08-99 11:48 PM ET            

And yes, bad day, so appolo's for reading implications into your post that weren't there.

However, it is an issue. The whole basis of your argument is that they released it to combat pirates, and were therefore pandering to the Piracy in Asia. And this, when you have no proof that that is the case.

The whole thing could very well be a huge blunder (it has happened before), in which case you complaining about the US not getting it first becomes whingeing (no offence intended).

posted 02-09-99 12:36 AM ET            

Anyway, I cannot argue that your opinion is wrong, because it is just that, an opinion. Until we have facts, neither of us can say categorically that the other is wrong, and no-one can criticise EA for pandering to Piracy, until it is proven that they are doing just that.

Anyway, enough pointless arguing.

posted 02-09-99 12:38 AM ET         

Mop, I think one reason why Asia/Australia has a large amount of piracy is pretty darn obvious. Let's go over it:

See, Australians speak the same language as us Americans (well, except for those switched around words they have in beer commercials.) So doing translations isn't a problem for Australian pirates.

And the other component: Australians do not get games very often. As one New Zealander (dunno if that's spelt right ) put it, they just now got Wild ARMs for the PSX, which has been out for two years now.

So put two and two together, and you get the answer. The reason why Australian/Asian piracy is rampant is not because Australasians are all evil commie-nazis with an ulterior motive to undermine the American gaming capitalist infastrcture: but rather it's their only choice. Who likes playing games that are years old (save for the really replayable kind)? I'm sure it must be a major bummer for those poor folks in Australasia to sit around and read about all the cool games arriving in America, and know that it will be years (if ever) that they see the games on their own shores.

So the option is obvious: piracy. You can say they have another choice, but darn, two-three years is a LONG time to wait. Especially when they finally get the game, it's old news.

So you can call that "The Australian Paradox," "The SMAC Initiative" or "The Pirate's Manifesto" but I do believe it's an accurate protrayal of what Australasian gamers have to go through.

So, EA is not "rewarding" pirates. They ARE countering piracy. Do you expect that if we siphon all of the games from Australasians that piracy will go down? It will go up, quite obviously. And pirates aren't rewarded when games become commercial. Like beer in prohibition, when people can't get something they want it even more.

As for the nationialism, Mopar. Most people believe that just being a nationalist nowadays is a form of ragging on other countries; because very few people believe in a superior country. I myself do not believe in any superior country, but that is me.

posted 02-09-99 04:36 AM ET            

A closed thread just because of a bit EA-bashing ? This forum has seen atrocitites far worse than anything said about EA...

On the release: As MoSe has said: I think EA should have made a world wide simultaneous release of the english version. I don't want a german version - translations are often crappy, and I don't need them. If someone wants a translation, why not wait four weeks or so ?
But EA has a good reason to care about the European market: about the same purchase power as in the US; also the other non-US markets are definately worth thinking about. It would be an un-american activity to neglect an opportunity to make money, right ?

On the US thing: Some people have the urgent need to say "the US is the best" blah blah all the time. While this has some annoyance as well as entertainment value, I still wonder: Is this the result of a massive inferiority complex of the people who have to say that ? Reminds me of schoolboy contests of who has the biggest youknowwhat. Just glad to see that most Americans here can make the difference between patriotism and national chauvinism.

Mopar: "Being an American makes you better than nobility, and don't you ever forget it."

It is extremely difficult to get lower than the so-called nobility, so being better doesn't hold much value...

Mark D: "EU?? EU?? Is that like when Alicia Silverstone says "eeeeyyyuuuu" in "Clueless"??? Is SMAC out in EU? Can't help it, just like saying EU.."

Try: EU-US something.... eeeyyyuuuuyyyuuuueeesss... you should like that one...

posted 02-09-99 07:01 AM ET            

I am pleading with both sides to end this senseless hostility and to come together under the umbrella of SMACdom.

posted 02-09-99 09:22 AM ET            

if this were a marching band? you would be the only one not out of step, right?

Firaxis forgot??? Firaxis and EA are seperate companies. why bash Firaxis for something that EA did.

game developed in the USA by a USA company? Did you hack into the files at Firaxis and verify no outside companies were involved in any way? all the programs used were US made products? no foregin consulting firms?, no foreginers on the payroll? (oops, did i just go there?)
nopar, you are bigoted, and it is a shame that people like you are allowed to try and squelch the freedoms and rights of others not only in this country, but others as well.
maybe you should read things before you comment about them. THAT would save time.
in the constitution, it states "that all men are created equal" it does not state "that all americans are created equal, and the rest of the world is inferior", which is what you imply with your comment that being an american is better than being nobility.

and yes, i apologized for something I do know about. the rampant bigotry, conceit and predjuice that this great country is seething with. I am American enough to appologize for the action of another, especially when a comment is made stating that offence has been taken, by another American's comments. foremost, it is called respect, leastly, it is considered Diplomacy.

Mopar constitution:
1. Mopar is always right
2. when Mopar is wrong, refer to #1.

grow-up car part

posted 02-09-99 10:57 AM ET            

I must admit that I was frozen with fear when I say the threat "don't go into multiplayer with that name!" What are you going to do, beat me! AHHHH! Actually I usually don't enjoy playing games online, but I promise if I play SMAC online I will use the name Mopar. Maybe that way some of you can work off that stored hostility, instead of letting it grow.

Yes, I will admit that my only sin on this board has been to covet my international neighbors copy of SMAC. I may also have a tinge of envy for my international neighbors windfall at getting the game a week early.

Perogative you got to stop with those stories of SC2000 still being on top in Aussie land. I started getting misty.

cousLee you are either trolling or are an
apologist, either way not worth serious consideration. For those foreign and domestic friends that don't know what an apologist is I will explain. Some of my American brothers and sisters have grown up feeling guilt over the advantages that they have had. They feel it is important to continually apologize to everyone for everything in their life and the lives of other successful Americans. The thought of national pride, or a sense of patriotism is alien to them. Our current administration has given the apologist movement a new lease on life in the 90's.

posted 02-09-99 01:24 PM ET            

Australia doesnt wait 2-3 years for games to get released. Its usually a couple of weeks. Im an Australian living in the US and always watched the activity of games being released in both countries.

The only time a game arrived excessivley late to the market is when they try release a game in parrallel with school holidays and other game buying times of the year that dont match with their US release schedule.

posted 02-09-99 01:31 PM ET            

Yes, you are a colour(ha!)phobic bigot. Cause the sky is red. Red is the greatest colour of them all. It's richer than your clours. It's even louder than your puny colours. All those who say the sky is blue are just jealous of red. And the only way you get a blue sky is by stealing some red from us!

"For those foreign and domestic friends that don't know what an apologist is I will explain. Some of my American brothers and sisters have grown up feeling guilt over the advantages that they have had. They feel it is important to continually apologize to everyone for everything in their life and the lives of other successful Americans."

I used to think "apologist" is derived from "apologia", not from apology/apologizing for something, and therefore means defender of a view/believe/etc. But what do I know, as a foreign friend ?

"The thought of national pride, or a sense of patriotism is alien to them. Our current administration has given the apologist movement a new lease on life in the 90's."

posted 02-09-99 02:50 PM ET            

PATRIOT n. Deregotary term for someone who puts national self-interest before the humanity as a whole. Usually Prone to violence. (ex. That Bloody Patriot just blew up russia. What does he care?)

PATRIOTISM n. Extreme nationalism, strongly associated with Nazism and Fascism.

posted 02-09-99 03:08 PM ET         

Looks like you're outgunned here: the "red heat" brotherhood of Roland (1080!! posts) and tOFfGI (almost 500) is not stopping anytime soon.

On a more peaceful note, let's just forget what's been said in this forum about patriotism, democracy and... ok, ok, EA - we all need a good night's sleep and a last glance at our lives because tomorrow nothing but SMAC will matter.

posted 02-09-99 03:55 PM ET            

i agree with your comments on why piracy is quite common over here - except the delays with computer games are no where near as bad as they are for PSX games - but we usually are about a month behind (as is aussie i think) and longer if our crap distributors do their usual stuff ups (horaay for EA!) - the other issue for us of course is price - my copy of AC cost $99NZ dollars some guys can get up to $120NZ (say about 50-55US)- so i spend ALOT of money on games :-)

posted 02-09-99 05:19 PM ET            

To answer the original point of the person who started this thread according to Dave Swafford at EA/Origin/Firaxis there ARE no legitimate copies for sale ANYWHERE yet. They are shipping today for the US and in 2-3 days for other markets. Whatever people have is a bent version. So all this brow beating of EA is unwarranted and unearned.

posted 02-09-99 05:45 PM ET            

Basically, I'll believe it when I see proof. Not meaning to doubt you, but I have seen situations like this before, when someone has categorically stated things like that, then had egg on their faces.

posted 02-09-99 07:07 PM ET         

Yes, the game was released in Australia prematurely. Basing it on reports of EA denials, probably accidentally. It's not unknown for shop-owners to pressure local sub-distributors into releasing stock to them early. I've got a copy. It appears (for all intents and purposes) to be fully legal. Live with it.

I don't care where you live, or how your country did in the last World War. Yes, I've been to the US and returned thinking that it was a nice place. Too many Americans there, which is never a good thing, but that's life.

It doesn't matter where the game was created. "American" games get created all over the world - I know that many of EA's sports games are made in Canada and the UK.

EA isn't discriminating against any "target market", or you in particular. It intended a world-wide release, and that it was broken isn't the company's fault.

The company DOES NOT OWE YOU LOYALTY. You do not buy its games out of the goodness of your heart. You conduct an *impartial* commercial transaction, *choosing* to exchange your $90 for their game. That's the only transaction going on. Bulletin Boards, web-delivered support, etc. are extras that they throw in not because they love you, but to improve the value you see in the game. To make you more likely to buy it. To make more money for themselves. It's not grubby and deceitful - it's their living.

If you want to see it as more than that, it's your problem. They don't need to "reward" you for making the choice that their game is worth your money. It's not a value judgement, it's business.

posted 02-09-99 07:14 PM ET            

Hmmm....Business certainly consists of making value judgements.

posted 02-09-99 07:59 PM ET            

jkm

posted 02-09-99 09:35 PM ET            

I have taken part in this discussion, in relation to EA releasing the game in Australia/Asia early. This Yank bashing is just stupid though.

posted 02-10-99 08:03 AM ET            

What caused this?? SMAC was unofficially released in some countries before it was released in USA. Nothing more, nothing less...

Let's think about this...

practically every single game ever made for PC is first released in USA and after that it's released everywhere else. The people living outside of USA (the majority of worlds population) hasn't been complaining. Now ONE game has been released sooner somewhere else, and one certain american thinks that it's the end of the world...

We are talking about ONE computer game here!!! It's NOT that serious!!!

I'm actaully quite happy that games are released first in USA and then elsewhere. Many times the first release is awfully buggy (I'm not talking about SMAC but games in general), and by the time they reach Europe for example, the worst bugs are fixed.

As for patriotism... I'm from Finland and I love this country. That's only natural. And it's only natural that people in USA think USA is the best. It's natural that people think that their home country is the best. But saying that some country is better than others... Well, I don't buy that... I think all countries are equal... Yes, they are different, but none is superior to other. Sure, some have more power than others, but that doesn't make 'em better!!

I have several friends in the USA, and many of them are envious because some things are done better in Finland that they are being done in USA. I'm envious to them because some things are done better in USA than they are done in Finland... Neither of the country is "better" than the other!! Sure, USA has the most powerful army in the world for example, but that doesn't make it "better"... Finland has superior telecommunications network and worlds fastest Internet backbone network, but that doesn't make Finland "better"...

As for some people complaining that some people spell some words incorrectly or make errors with grammar or something... This is the Internet. It's international. Many of the people here don't speak english as their native language (I don't)... So is it fair that they have to type perfect english?? Could YOU type perfect finnish??

posted 02-10-99 03:24 PM ET            

It has taken your divine insight to make me aware of this conspiracy by the Austalians and New Zealanders. You see, they Pearl Harbored us Southern Californians a few years ago with the audacity to build the fastest possible sail boat to beat the pants of Dennis Connor. In fact, Dennis is unofficially reported to been taken back by the seriousness of the challenger when he learned that the Kiwi boat did not have a bar or rugby field!