Quebec bashing thread: Video Game Edition

[Asher]

So the purpose of the law is to force publishers to ship French copies to Quebec if they exist.

As I said, who doesn't do that?

[snoopy369]

I'll confirm that it does allow the two to be sold side-by-side rather than as one unit (both are okay). It also requires it to be sold if it exists in the world, regardless of the ability of said retailer to legally obtain it...

Krill, if I read that right, they've required documentation (manual etc.) to be in french for over a year (since Sept 07).

[notyoueither]

OB seems to be saying this will make retailers carry those French versions. One would assume they don't always do so if that is the point.

[Fake Boris]

You're not making any specific sense.
-- which publisher doesn't ship french copies if they exist to Quebec?

Bingo.

Most do, but some don't, because Quebec is considered 'North American market'.

The law will have a relatively minor effect, but it will force some publishers to release the European French version in Quebec. It will also force some retailers to dedicate shelf space to French packages.

[Krill]

HAHAHA.

Stupid Quebecians. Nice way to either try to kill your gaming stores or make everyone a second class citizen.

[Fake Boris]

For instance some retailers in downtown Montreal don't bother with French versions.

In conclusion:
a) the law is a minor hassle to business
b) incidentally it's a very minor benefit to the situation of the French language

BTW they came up with it through an agreement with the game publishers' association, so it's not like anyone seems to be really pissed off.

[snoopy369]

Bingo.

Most do, but some don't, because Quebec is considered 'North American market'.

The law will have a relatively minor effect, but it will force some publishers to release the European French version in Quebec. It will also force some retailers to dedicate shelf space to French packages.

Your main problem here is that if it is ANY additional cost to the publishers, they'll just not bother shipping to Quebec. You're not a big enough market to be worth the expense of printing a different version - especially smaller publishers. It will hurt the Quebecoise' ability to obtain games from smaller publishers or indy games [except those that are downloadable of course, unless they're going to try to affect that market as well .

The upside here is perhaps it will encourage digital downloads for games (particularly once XBL allows that for full games)...

Note that the law was in effect for PC games starting Sept. 07, if I read OB's article right. This only applies to 'next gen' consoles (which it includes the DS and the PSP in, for some stupid reason, but not the PS2).

[snoopy369]

For instance some retailers in downtown Montreal don't bother with French versions.

In conclusion:
a) the law is a minor hassle to business
b) incidentally it's a very minor benefit to the situation of the French language

BTW they came up with it through an agreement with the game publishers' association, so it's not like anyone seems to be really pissed off.

If people wanted to protect the language, wouldn't market forces be adequate to ensure they carried french versions

[Fake Boris]

HAHAHA.

Stupid Quebecians. Nice way to either try to kill your gaming stores or make everyone a second class citizen.

How would that kill gaming stores?

[Krill]

OK, so if they have to carry the extra games, does that mean they have to carry them at the same time, ie would Rock Band either have had some french games sent out at first with the english, or would it have been OK to say "We are having trouble getting hold of stock" while the publishers just quietly shipped a minimal amount/none across, as it would be easier to keep on producing english versions during the rush, and keep the french versions until after christmas?

How does leave retailers when publishers only do a limited edition run of the french version in such a situation, and then focus on the english version during the rush?

[Krill]

Your main problem here is that if it is ANY additional cost to the publishers, they'll just not bother shipping to Quebec. You're not a big enough market to be worth the expense of printing a different version - especially smaller publishers. It will hurt the Quebecoise' ability to obtain games from smaller publishers or indy games [except those that are downloadable of course, unless they're going to try to affect that market as well .

The upside here is perhaps it will encourage digital downloads for games (particularly once XBL allows that for full games)...

Note that the law was in effect for PC games starting Sept. 07, if I read OB's article right. This only applies to 'next gen' consoles (which it includes the DS and the PSP in, for some stupid reason, but not the PS2).

How would that kill gaming stores?

SSay thanks to Snoop.

[Fake Boris]

Your main problem here is that if it is ANY additional cost to the publishers, they'll just not bother shipping to Quebec.

The gaming industry is IP based. Once the game is made and the package ready, you have very little to lose in extending distribution...

[Krill]

NO. Just no.

That's not even a troll, so stop being stupid. Asher even gave a good example earlier in the thread.

[Fake Boris]

The French market is fairly large, so most likely if they can cross-release at the same time in several countries they can divert some packages for Quebec (which is like 12% the size of France).

If they skip international versions to focus on the US market for the release rush, then there's no issue. They can sell the English version in Quebec until the French version is ready.

[Fake Boris]

NO. Just no.

That's not even a troll, so stop being stupid. Asher even gave a good example earlier in the thread.

Asher's example simply couldn't happen.