No Gears of War 2 for Japan or Germany Options

[Xbox-Scene]

No Gears of War 2 for Japan or Germany Posted by XanTium | October 22 11:33 EST | News Category: Xbox360

From edge-online.com: [QUOTE] A Miscrosoft spokesperson has told Edge that Epic's long-awaited Gears of War 2 will not be released in Japan. "We can confirm that Gears of War 2 will not be available in Germany or Japan indefinitely" said the spokesperson. The news may come as a shock to many observers as the original Gears of War was one of the first titles to crack the Japanese software charts during a time when the 360 console was selling at its slowest. The reasons why the game will not be released remain unclear. In May this year Germany's ratings organization declined to issue the game an age certificate. [/QUOTE] Full Story: edge-online.com

[Chimp5000]

However, if the game turns out to be region free, does that mean they can just import it?

[sabbath_dude]

However, if the game turns out to be region free, does that mean they can just import it?

Yes and Germany is PAL the same as the rest of Europe anyway.

Technically I don't think it's been banned in these countries but MS probably expect it would be so aren't going to even bother trying. All this will end up doing is generate more interest and media coverage of the game. If you ban something people just want it more.

[Landlocked]

Japan will hold out until they get the version with 5 extra levels.

Seriously -- the ROI probably isn't there. They would rather play happy purple dragon games.

[Reaper527]

Seriously -- the ROI probably isn't there. They would rather play happy purple dragon games.

Gears had sold 33,212 copies in Japan in its first week and entered the software charts at number seven.

there is definitely ROI to be made in japan.

in germany, they seem to have pretty strict censorship laws from what i've read, and it becomes a big problem for FPS games. the article says that german rating board refused to rate the game. anyone know if they are legally required to have a rating like how it is in australia?

This post has been edited by Reaper527: Oct 22 2008, 06:29 PM

[spinr34]

this is lame. i had fun playing gears 1 against japanese gamers. they were always nice and told funny jokes. seriously.

[No_Name]

there is definitely ROI to be made in japan.

in germany, they seem to have pretty strict censorship laws from what i've read, and it becomes a big problem for FPS games. the article says that german rating board refused to rate the game. anyone know if they are legally required to have a rating like how it is in australia?

Yes, you are legally required to get a USK rating to be allowed to put the game out for sale in German.
While the retailers can sell the game they just have to sell it under the counter.
The customer has to come in and ask for it before it can be sold so in effect it banned but due to EU laws they can not outright block its sale.

Getting a USK rating can mean lots of changes to a game and sometimes those changes are just not worth the extra cost and effort which is why they might not be doing a German release.

[Biaz]

Well, who cares, I'll bet you half the gamers in Germany and Japan will already have the game before the official release date. If they won't sell it, then they're asking for it themselves.

[[TR]]

Well, who cares, I'll bet you half the gamers in Germany and Japan will already have the game before the official release date. If they won't sell it, then they're asking for it themselves.

Exactly. Although here it's not so much MS holding out on those markets (at least in Germany).

Has anyone from these rating "things" ever given a reasonable answer as to why they decline some games a suitable rating?
As far as I see it, they could even limit all that they rate to 18+, even kiddie games. Fine. But denying a rating is actually saying customers aren't allowed to think for themselves and decide on what they buy, even if their decision might take into account a bloated rating done "just for the hell of it".
I'd really like to know how they explain themselves around that.

[gatorayde]

It IS region free, looking at the info on the leaked release. So, you can just import it.

[johnnyrico]

even if it is forbidden, German people can just drive across the border to the Netherlands or such to go buy the game, or have it shipped from Amazon.com's uk wing, as long as it is PAL they should be fine.
the japanese, I don't know from what country they could import, what other countries use NTSC-J?

though even with imports, I do wonder about the availability of Xbox live service for GOW2 in those countries.

[damn!]

Here in germany you can do multiplayer matches over live, but the DLC (like maps, videos etc.) isn't aviable at the marketplace here. And it has a f**in IP-Filter so that you can't just download it with a "fake" US-Account.
The only way to download such content here is a Proxy-Server or a VPN from US (this was my way for downloading Duke Nukem 3D which is banned here).

[HotKnife420]

I'm sure it'll at least make it's way to Japan. The keyword of this article is 'indefinite'.

[xboxhaxorz]

dont worry im sure miscrosoft will change their minds

[VanydotK]

This is just ASKING for piracy.