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So it begins, like EA did.
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Ubisofts new games aren't available on Steam in several (all?) regions
- Thread starter Tak3n
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cyberheater
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It's real simple. If it's not on Steam I will not buy it. I've got plenty of great games to play.
This has been happening since 2011 and only in the UK, and the games always show up on Steam later anyway - most likely isn't happening and is influenced by something happening with Ubisoft in the UK. Some say it is GAME making deals but I'm not so sure
I just pre-ordered Dragon Age: Inquisition off Origin and I feel like I need a bath.
At least Ubisoft is working on making Uplay more compatible with Steam, but I still hate games that use both as well. An overlay within an overlay within a shell in the hazy grey of my mind.
As an important note, profit is only one (although the most important one) of the possible benefits a large publisher might look for in a product.
Another benefit that is also important would be control. Would a company, for instance, be willing to sacrifice some profit -- even in the long term -- if it meant that they could establish their own distribution system that they control and which allows them to price, distribute, and promote their products as they see fit? For a large publisher, the answer is frequently yes.
For the record, this is also why the major publishers tend to prefer the consoles to any other platform. On PC, Ubisoft can get lost in the enormous sea of software developers, where Ubisoft isn't even necessarily a top dog. One might list Valve, EA, Blizzard, CDProject, Mojang, Tencent, Zynga, and a variety of Chinese MMO firms as larger players in the PC space. On iOS, Ubisoft doesn't even register as a top 20 publisher.
On Xbox, it's really a competition between EA, Ubisoft, Take 2, and Activision. They have more control and more expertise in that arena, and that is a great benefit to them that is not extended to PC, iOS, Android, or of course Nintendo platforms.
Another benefit that is also important would be control. Would a company, for instance, be willing to sacrifice some profit -- even in the long term -- if it meant that they could establish their own distribution system that they control and which allows them to price, distribute, and promote their products as they see fit? For a large publisher, the answer is frequently yes.
For the record, this is also why the major publishers tend to prefer the consoles to any other platform. On PC, Ubisoft can get lost in the enormous sea of software developers, where Ubisoft isn't even necessarily a top dog. One might list Valve, EA, Blizzard, CDProject, Mojang, Tencent, Zynga, and a variety of Chinese MMO firms as larger players in the PC space. On iOS, Ubisoft doesn't even register as a top 20 publisher.
On Xbox, it's really a competition between EA, Ubisoft, Take 2, and Activision. They have more control and more expertise in that arena, and that is a great benefit to them that is not extended to PC, iOS, Android, or of course Nintendo platforms.
SliChillax
Member
Would using VPN to access Steam work? I have a non UK credit card.
Why? Would you be able to play game on release? Yes. Will there be pre-load? Probably. Instead of starting Steam that day you will start Origin and play game difference is minimal.
Don't do that. Find somebody who will buy game for you or buy TF2 keys and trade them for game.
You can still receive gift copies of the game just fine, provided the user isn't in Eastern Europe, South America or South-east Asia. The titular issue is not the result of a region-locking mechanism being in place -- Ubi is just, asininely, continuing with the behaviour it has exhibited ever since UK retailers "rebelled" against Steam, beginning with THQ's Space Marine in 2011.
SliChillax
Member
How does that work? I don't have anyone that could gift me games. Wouldn't using a VPN be easier?
Purchasing games from another region puts you at risk of having your account restricted. I'm sure there's a US GAFer here who would be willing to buy you Steam copies of Ubi's upcoming games in exchange for PayPal Bucks. I'd do it myself, but, yeah, Aussie Tax.
It has already been established, beyond reasonable doubt, that the unavailability of the games within the UK -- and the UK only -- is not the result of Ubisoft experimenting with Uplay exclusivity. While you make a poignant general point, it is immaterial to the situation at hand.
Edit: Bah, forgot to switch tabs.
It didn't. You just didn't notice apparently.
Black Flag had the issue. AC3 and Far Cry 3 had the issue.
Look up TF2 Dispenser, it's an automated trading website.
BibiMaghoo
Member
Good, it's frankly devious and annoying to sell a game on Steam only for it to launch another client for the same social and connected aspects Steam already has in place. It's bullshit, and I'd rather they were not there at all than pretend they are actually Steam games.
Because of the cross-region trading/gifting restriction, TF2 Dispenser isn't going to yield him a cheaper copy.
SliChillax
Member
I'm not looking for a cheaper copy, just a way to buy the game on Steam in the UK.
Sportbilly
Member
I don't really have a problem with that- Blizzard's Battle.Net is fine for example. What annoys me about Origin (and UPlay in this instance) is that their owners are allowing their games to be sold via other outlets, but not via Steam (and also not in the UK in Ubisoft's case). It's not only anti-consumer, but also anticompetitive- which is presumably why they're doing it...
What I said before is the best you can do short of risking an account restriction. That it works out cheaper for you is a bonus.
Glitchesarecool
Member
Is there any information about why this is, or is everything just speculation? I'm curious about why it would be fine in the US with Ubi's integrated Uplay plan and not the UK.
ashecitism
Member
It's not just the UK now, but everywhere else too it seems.
Yeah, Unity and Far Cry 4 just disappeared from the steam store for me (Argentina), and trying the regular US one gives me nothing.
EDIT: I see the Steam discussion has moved to Community, that's why I couldn't find the thread.
SliChillax
Member
Man... I'm not really sure I wanna risk it. Good thing I never planned on buying any of them on day 1, let's hope they come to Steam later down the line.
Edit: So it's globally now? Fuck Ubisoft.
Heavy's Sandvich
Member
Possibility of the UK having hidden charges or rates that hasn't been settled between Ubisoft and Steam?
One not wanting to take on the cost? I don't know.
One not wanting to take on the cost? I don't know.
He means before release. It was only made available to the UK to purchase around release day, unlike every other country.
Stevey
Member
Oh right.
The best thing about an Ubisoft boycott is that the overall average quality of the games you play will rise dramatically.
Well, looks like they removed their games from Steam here in Argentina as well. Glad i pre-ordered AC: Unity on time.
Guess i won't be getting their games no more. What pisses me off is the fact that this leaves me with an incomplete version of AC: Unity, now i won't be able to buy the season pass later.
What a huge fuck up from UBI. They are pulling an EA on this, they'd rather let the games die or be pirated than having it available on Steam.
Guess i won't be getting their games no more. What pisses me off is the fact that this leaves me with an incomplete version of AC: Unity, now i won't be able to buy the season pass later.
What a huge fuck up from UBI. They are pulling an EA on this, they'd rather let the games die or be pirated than having it available on Steam.
They removed their new games from Steam México as well. Oh God.
Shit just got interesting, because I'm pretty certain I have no intentions of using Uplay till it drastically improves and then demonstrates that consistently for a few years. I think a fair few feel the same. Heck I still haven't bought anything on Origin because they consistently launch broken games
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