New contest - again only for a small amount of player

[Nero]

A solution could be to have one competition where these four countries can participate with a physical item, and one for the rest of the countries with a virtual item.

That said, I find it hard to believe that 46/50 European countries won't allow competitions like this. I think it's more a matter of it being more convenient for SE to do it the way they're doing it now.

Like it or not, its a known fact for european people.

[Vilhem]

These kinds of QQ posts always amuse me. It's like they really believe SE does this sort of thing JUST to spite them or because the company is bias or whatever petty thing.

Laws restrict certain things in certain countries. I remember the fiasco XI had when they first introduced the Mog Bonanza. They stated they got into some legal issues with the government because it was technically "gambling". So for the subsequent bonanzas they changed up the rules and made disclaimers that none of the items had any real world value.

[Molly_Millions]

Complain to your government, it their fault not SE's.

[Abriael]

A solution could be to have one competition where these four countries can participate with a physical item, and one for the rest of the countries with a virtual item.

The laws of many countries don't differentiate *at all* between physical and digital prizes.

SE is actually doing well at spreading contests around between regions. Most devs just chose one (normaly the US) and always go with that, ignoring the others.

[Mug]

The laws of many countries don't differentiate *at all* between physical and digital prizes.

And yet they were able to pull off this competition (which I already posted about earlier in the thread):

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...cfd590eb99f445

[Abriael]

And yet they were able to pull off this competition (which I already posted about earlier in the thread):

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...cfd590eb99f445

That's not because the prizes are digital. That's simply because that's a big contest, so Square Enix could justify dedicating the legal and monetary resources (that aren't small) necessary to accomodate the legislation of every nation in every region.

Smaller, on-the-fly contests organized by local marketing teams don't justify that expense.

[Vilhem]

And yet they were able to pull off this competition (which I already posted about earlier in the thread):

http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...cfd590eb99f445

Pay close attention to the prizes of the link:

Prizes
Grand Prize Winner: Self-designed item and an exclusive in-game item (no monetary value) (1 winner)
Runners-up: Self-designed item (no monetary value) (2 winners)
Honorable Mention: Exclusive in-game item (no monetary value) (7 winners)

This latest contest is giving out Yoshi-p signed posters...which has SOME real world value, and thus can be seen as gambling or other raffle type.

[Nuinn]

It would be neat having a chance to get Yoshi's autograph, but oh well, maybe some other time ^_^ I'm just happy I was able to win one of those Scarves :3 (which, I still insist, the devs should allow me to wear as a loincloth instead!)

[Mug]

That's not because the prizes are digital. That's simply because that's a big contest, so Square Enix could justify dedicating the legal and monetary resources (that aren't small) necessary to accomodate the legislation of every nation in every region.

Smaller, on-the-fly contest organized by local marketing teams don't justify that expense.

So in other words, it is a convenience issue.

[Vilhem]

The difference is the real world monetary value of the prizes. In the Gear design contest, the prizes specifically stated "No monetary value"

The wording on the prize for this new contest:

Prizes

5 winners will receive a FFXIV: A Realm Reborn print autographed by Yoshi-P!

Notice how nowhere it states it has no monetary value? >_>