Friday with Means - November 18th, 2011 - Agent Document vs 1.2

[Obtena]

In any way you want to see it, it's Funcom's will, at this moment, that EU players pay more for no mathematically-valid reason.

That's just you're assumption. Unless you know exactly how their billing works, you simply can't make that statement, however unlikely it would be there would be a difference. Fairness is not a factor, even though you are convinced it is. I'm willing to bet that it simply comes down to profit margins and markets and what is necessary to achieve RoI on AO as a product line so investors don't do nasty things to the game we love.

[Tilli]

Waldgeist once said in the old German forum that they need the hard currency to keep the server running on.
I'll bet €, with all the good DM would also not one to one against the USD.
But I think we had Talkshow in the German forum and more like a very long time that must be so that the game will not live on the ridge there.

I say if we want Change customer what would all europe players off the game account. unfortunately fc then the server shut down to put the award instead.
would arrive at what the FC com says unfortunately I have the feeling.

[DigitalBath]

That's just you're assumption. Unless you know exactly how their billing works, you simply can't make that statement, however unlikely it would be there would be a difference. Fairness is not a factor, even though you are convinced it is. I'm willing to bet that it simply comes down to profit margins and markets and what is necessary to achieve RoI on AO as a product line so investors don't do nasty things to the game we love.

Actually, YOU are just assuming. I actually know what I'm talking about in a business/law/economics sense. This isn't specific to Funcom, and that's where your argument becomes invalid. It's a much broader economy issue.

The only two factors that account for zone/location in an internet based service such as an MMO (and trust me, I know what does, it's part of my job) and product cost is VAT and how the money is exchanged. Many EU credit card carriers offer almost free exchange rates, the ones I work with sure do and I notice that when paying in dollars for many services and products. The VAT difference alone wouldn't do it either.

There IS a reason the European Commission is checking into these things, you know? I'm going to calmly wait for EU regulations to come into play and magically FC will either make US costumers pay the same we do or the other way around.
Fairness IS a factor or it would never be investigated by the EC. Discrimination based on location is obviously unfair. There's no grey lines here, buddy.
Just think a bit, why is the "hardcore pack" priced the same on both zones? Wouldn't the exact same issues that prevent FC from offering the same subscription values apply? It's so simple. Just open your eyes a bit.

You talk about "profit margins and markets" and you seem to absolutely ignore how global businesses work. Study global economics and business and you'll quickly understand it.
You'll understand how we're getting shafted for no valid reason. Believe me, I'm a big AO supporter, it's still my favourite game by a long shot. But I'm not blind enough to believe FC is not a corporation that is overcharging EU costumers at the moment.

It will end soon enough, regardless of FC liking it or not.

Cheers.

[Burgly]

Nice solitus male head

[Otansaanpas]

mystery of asian contractor solved.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/847/mystery.jpg/