JP "bonanza" compared to the NA/EU

[katiekat]

***Information about internet Gambling, possibly will bore you to oblivion! Read at your discretion! *****

Gambling is a game of chance involving games that have been played for centuries. Virtual gambling is an Internet form of casino gambling that uses fake money. This type of gambling is available in most social network communities and is game that does not pay the winners any real money, but is played for entertainment.

Many Internet gambling sites allow people to play casino games for money. This type of gambling is illegal in the United States. Companies outside the United States run most of these gambling sites. Using these sites from within the United States could result in criminal prosecution for illegal gambling. This form of gambling can be more addictive than casino gambling because gamblers can place bets from home computers.

So how does this relate to the NMB and GBG contest offered by SE? Well, NMB IS gambling with virtual money that cannot be exchange got real money. That's legal. However, because SE charges a service for the game for US/EU players AND offers a lottery (which is gambling) by having people purchase marbles with in-game currency WHICH LEADS TO purchasing "Mules" (purchased with real currency) to hold MORE MARBLES for an increase chase of winning. THIS IS ILLEGAL! And it violates Title 18 USCS �1084 that covers the transmission of wagering information, Title 15 U.S.C. �1171 (prohibiting interstate transportation of gambling paraphernalia); 18 U.S.C. ��1301-1303 and 19 U.S.C. �1305 (prohibiting importing, transporting, or mailing lottery tickets and related matter); 18 U.S.C. �1304 (prohibiting broadcasting of lottery information); 18 U.S.C. �1592 (prohibiting interstate travel in aid of racketeering); and, 18 U.S.C. �1953 (prohibiting interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia).

hile the legislative history and application of each of these statutes have relevance to the issue at hand, our primary concern is �1084. Subsection (a) of �1084 states that:

"(w)hoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers or information assisting in the pacing of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the pacing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

In conclusion, SE was aware they've violated several statures in different countries unintentionally. However, because federal authorities have warned the company what kind of behavior was being created, they were cited with a possible "Cease & Deist" for the NMB in the US (I assume its the same deal in EU since laws are similar).

ty that's what i was saying only i was to lazy to look up the laws lol

[Randwolf]

...In conclusion, SE was aware they've violated several statures in different countries unintentionally. However, because federal authorities have warned the company what kind of behavior was being created, they were cited with a possible "Cease & Deist" for the NMB in the US (I assume its the same deal in EU since laws are similar).

People always trying to drag religion into these discussions...

[0nionKn1ght]

Working for a videogame company myself, I can tell you the XX region is favored over YY region argument comes in every form, from every region, on nearly every issue.

It's at a point where games companies stop listening to this whine now, as it's old, tired, and fundamentally wrong in every respect.

[Reiterpallasch]

it's old, tired, and fundamentally wrong in every respect.

So is tiny green text in every single post you make, yet here you are

[0nionKn1ght]

So is tiny green text in every single post you make, yet here you are

Nice to see you only back up the point I made - Also it's the same font size as the standard font. I use a different font and colour to see where I last posted when I scroll. Sorry if a font and colour change upsets you so.

[Camiie]

Working for a videogame company myself, I can tell you the XX region is favored over YY region argument comes in every form, from every region, on nearly every issue.

It's at a point where games companies stop listening to this whine now, as it's old, tired, and fundamentally wrong in every respect.

Because your company is all the companies and your experience is everyone's experience.

For example: When one region gets a clearly superior version of a game that isn't even considered to be released in other regions then there's obviously some form of favoritism at play. It may not be based on race or ethnicity, but one group is definitely being treated better than another.

Are you really going to sit here and say that all the instances of no export or bad export listed on TV Tropes (and countless other websites and forums) is just a bunch of BS? You sure are calling out a lot of people. They're all blind, misinformed idiots? None of what they say ever happened?

[0nionKn1ght]

Because your company is all the companies and your experience is everyone's experience.

For example: When one region gets a clearly superior version of a game that isn't even considered to be released in other regions then there's obviously some form of favoritism at play. It may not be based on race or ethnicity, but one group is definitely being treated better than another.

Are you really going to sit here and say that all the instances of no export or bad export listed on TV Tropes (and countless other websites and forums) is just a bunch of BS? You sure are calling out a lot of people. They're all blind, misinformed idiots? None of what they say ever happened?

I tend not to make baseless statements, but the problem is people seem to think developers sit in their boardrooms laughing maniacally over the options offered to each region. The big problem people always forget is that regions have different restrictions in place. For example it is easier to use gambling options in games in Europe than it is in American and Japan, as online gambling laws, as well as local laws are different. Also when a service offers you a specific reward in exchange for getting a friend into the game (in essence you are advertising their product for a prize) this causes massive problems for most countries outside of the EU too, thus meaning different promotions are offered to allow a similar reward but in a different way.

It is never about inequality or unfairness, usually the only restriction is legality. Stop thinking the entire world is evil, and think more about logistics. Also for heavens sake think why for any reason a company would make a prominent step to show they favor one group of customers over another. Think about it, and realise what you are suggesting is ludicrous.

[Karbuncle]

The world is evil, Corporations anyway. Greed mostly. Thinking otherwise is naive. Not a single business on earth cares about you, me or anyone, the only thing they care about is how much money they can make out of us. They have no favor for anything other than money.

I see what you're saying that regions are usually legal issues, But I understand why some people would immediately jump to the "THEY HATE NA!" response.

Japanese culture is not exactly known for its glorious acceptance of other cultures. in fact, they're, mostly, borderline xenophobic... Not all of them mind you. The gaming companies there rarely make good calls when it comes to games too. A lot of the localization issues aren't due to them liking themselves more, Its because they don't think it'll sell good enough to bother porting it.

As far as this contest goes, they've stated multiple times they have a lot of legal issues regarding it being gambling, which some countries say it is. So if you want to blame anyone, blame your countries laws that block virtual goods from being lotteried off.

Regardless of the fact, Onion, You visit Blizzard forums much? They use green text there for "MVP's", Meaning people who have made highly rated comments. I hope thats not the case... Cause that would be brutally pathetic. Just thought I'd ask.

[Zerich]

The world is evil, Corporations anyway. Greed mostly. Thinking otherwise is naive. Not a single business on earth cares about you, me or anyone, the only thing they care about is how much money they can make out of us. They have no favor for anything other than money.

I see what you're saying that regions are usually legal issues, But I understand why some people would immediately jump to the "THEY HATE NA!" response.

Japanese culture is not exactly known for its glorious acceptance of other cultures. in fact, they're, mostly, borderline xenophobic... Not all of them mind you. The gaming companies there rarely make good calls when it comes to games too. A lot of the localization issues aren't due to them liking themselves more, Its because they don't think it'll sell good enough to bother porting it.

As far as this contest goes, they've stated multiple times they have a lot of legal issues regarding it being gambling, which some countries say it is. So if you want to blame anyone, blame your countries laws that block virtual goods from being lotteried off.

Regardless of the fact, Onion, You visit Blizzard forums much? They use green text there for "MVP's", Meaning people who have made highly rated comments. I hope thats not the case... Cause that would be brutally pathetic. Just thought I'd ask.

double posting this for great justice

[Camiie]

[FONT=Trebuchet MS][COLOR=darkgreen]I tend not to make baseless statements, but the problem is people seem to think developers sit in their boardrooms laughing maniacally over the options offered to each region.

I don't think that's the case. It's all about the money and occasionally about some artistic vision... but mostly all about the money.