Square Enix statement

[Tsutsudae]

^ ^ just another Brit full of passive aggression towards the whole Heavensward pricing matter :/ who knows, maybe i'll get it maybe I won't...

All i want at this point is for an explanation from Square Enix as to how this conclusion was reached and how it was decided that it was fair to do this to the UK fanbase :/

[Remus]

You won't get one. Simple. Just don't buy the physical collector's edition.

[Risvertasashi]

At the risk of getting flamed, I'll try to explain.

See, it's not just about plugging numbers into google or whatever your favorite currency converter is. It's about purchasing power of the individual.

The USD is a lot weaker than the Euro right now, and this sucks for Americans travelling abroad, but is nice for Europeans travelling to the States or similar. But Gaming isn't about travelling/tourism.

In terms of purchasing power, the values are a lot closer. Roughly the same demographics can afford a $60 game as a €60 game, or in this case, $130 and €130.

That is why the games industry prices are the way they are. This is also why some movies are dirt cheap in certain countries (the target demographics there could not afford our prices), but they instituted region locking to prevent wealthier nations from taking advantage of it.

I am not saying I agree nor disagree with these practices, but that's why it is this way.

[Melchar]

Good explanation River, but I wouldn't say the USD is very weak compared to the Euro right now.

[NinjaTaru72]

Good explanation River, but I wouldn't say the USD is very weak compared to the Euro right now.

Not very weak, but 1 euro is, today, worth 1.08 usd now. Which roughly translates to somewhere around 140.4 they are paying compared to us at 130. Not including tax

[KillyBamp]

So basically its bullshit. Just because I can afford to pay more for something than the next guy doesn't mean I should have to.

Also, the announcement that the digital CE will be available on psn store at a later date is confirmed for NA only so far, like wtf? Why does SE treat EU like this?

[MeiUshu]

welcome to rich countries....

Mei

[TessaJalloh]

In terms of purchasing power, the values are a lot closer. Roughly the same demographics can afford a $60 game as a €60 game, or in this case, $130 and €130.

This would be wonderfully valid. IF Square Enix was letting us buy for the Euro price.

They aren't.

That's where the problem comes in. the British £ is MUCH stronger than the Euro. But we don't get paid as many pounds as people get paid in Euros. our purchasing power per individual is drastically lower with these elevated prices.

[MeiUshu]

y.

you explained it far better then I did, most people dont understand this, at all. For some of them it might even be the first time that they realize the discrepancies it exists between countries when it comes to goods and prices.

I wish I would pay 50 % less those like you and me know, the system works as intended. Even if I do believe there is a slight exageration in the price set for Brits.

Mei

[Airget]

If we exclude taxes. We can draw the following conclusion based on the current mininum wage of Japan, UK and USA.

Japan 14,800 yen (17hrs-22hrs)
Ranges from 677 Japanese yen to 888 yen per hour; set on a prefectural and industry basis.[109]

UK 130.00 (17-20hrs)
The UK "living wage" - an hourly rate based on the amount needed to cover the basic costs of living - has been raised by 20p to £7.85. The voluntary wage - set by the Living Wage Foundation - is now 21% higher than the compulsory National Minimum Wage, which is currently £6.50 an hour.Nov 3, 2014

USA 130.00 (18hrs)
The Fair Labor Standards Act requires a minimum wage of $2.13 for tipped workers with the expectation that wages plus tips total no less than $7.25 per hour. The employer must pay the difference if total income does not add up to $7.25 per hour.

Shocking isn't it? UK with mininum wage actually pay about the same as Japan with similar mininum wage, not only that but on the low end of mininum wage Japan actually pays more for the product meanwhile it takes USA an additional hour to be able to purchase the product.

So for all the complaining about the cost being "expensive" the truth is in the mininum wage and while taxes weren't taking into account over this that's a variable which honestly isn't SE's issue they most likely focus on the aspect of mininum wage and income of people in said area.