Australian Console Version Release and communication thereof

Dear Telltale,

Considering the following has only just now been posted in a thread on your message board (with no mention elsewhere at all):
Mike wrote: »
Sorry, but due to the OFLC ratings laws in Australia and New Zealand, and the fact that this is a mature game, we do not currently have plans to release the game there on consoles.

Don't you think it's a bit bloody rude to your Australian and NZ customers to make no mention of this in the months leading up to the release of the game? Or, once the game is available, put this information somewhere prominent?

Poor communication. Very bloody poor. Get your act together.

Comments

  • edited April 2012
    I completely agree. After getting burnt by JP not getting an Oz release, I thought nothing could be as bad. Turns out I was wrong. Really disappointed Telltale. :(
  • edited April 2012
    Is this Telltale's fault though or Australia's? Telltale has a huge fan base in Australia so its really disappointing their last 2 games have not been released here. I was going to download Walking Dead from PSN tonight..and I much would have rather played this game on my PS3 (and massive Sony Bravia) than my crappy laptop
  • edited April 2012
    Hero1 wrote: »
    Is this Telltale's fault though or Australia's? Telltale has a huge fan base in Australia so its really disappointing their last 2 games have not been released here. I was going to download Walking Dead from PSN tonight..and I much would have rather played this game on my PS3 (and massive Sony Bravia) than my crappy laptop



    It's completely within Telltale's power to tell us that it won't be available in Australia. They have absolutely no excuse for not communicating that information prior to release.
  • edited April 2012
    Yeah, I can't actually believe they did this. First off, you're not only betraying the fans of your games, you're also betraying the fans of The Walking Dead. Secondly, what exactly makes you think it won't get through as a simple MA15 game? Dead Island made it through, which was more realalistic and probably more gory. Left 4 Dead 2 might be a good example of why you shouldn't, but the actual problem there was that the "Zombies" weren't actually zombies and just infected people. Honestly, whoever made this decision is an idiot and has only cost the you sales and faithful customers. I'm sure it not too late to fix this and I hope you correct your stupid mistake.
  • edited April 2012
    Whats even worse is nz doesnt have the same censorship laws tht auz does and we dont even have it either,,, been waiting months for this game
  • edited April 2012
    DarkHero wrote: »
    Yeah, I can't actually believe they did this. First off, you're not only betraying the fans of your games, you're also betraying the fans of The Walking Dead. Secondly, what exactly makes you think it won't get through as a simple MA15 game? Dead Island made it through, which was more realalistic and probably more gory. Left 4 Dead 2 might be a good example of why you shouldn't, but the actual problem there was that the "Zombies" weren't actually zombies and just infected people. Honestly, whoever made this decision is an idiot and has only cost the you sales and faithful customers. I'm sure it not too late to fix this and I hope you correct your stupid mistake.

    QFT!

    Come on TTG!
  • edited April 2012
    I don't really want to wait until TT apply for classification. Open to thoughts and suggestions on workarounds with overseas accounts. I've already got a US account on my NZ console with which I've downloaded content (demo) not available on the NZ arcade market and successfully played it with my NZ account. Have also found legit online codes for US region ms points. Am going to attempt to purchase twd with the US account and play on the NZ account, has anyone else done something like this successfully is the past?
  • edited April 2012
    They need to bring out a press release on this NOW! Have they decided its not worth releasing here or is it because of the OFLC? Its really bad business to shun your fans like this especisly when youve done noyhing but promote just how good the game is only to post ON THE RELEASE DAY that it isnt being released here? Yet we get games like Dead Rising and yet you think THIS game is too mature for the OFLC to release? This is just horrible. Totally ruined my day.
  • edited April 2012
    Evil NZ wrote: »
    I don't really want to wait until TT apply for classification. Open to thoughts and suggestions on workarounds with overseas accounts. I've already got a US account on my NZ console with which I've downloaded content (demo) not available on the NZ arcade market and successfully played it with my NZ account. Have also found legit online codes for US region ms points. Am going to attempt to purchase twd with the US account and play on the NZ account, has anyone else done something like this successfully is the past?

    I've only ever played demos from another region which works fine,
    But I've never been able to successfully purchase from the us store. The only way that I could see it working is if you purchase a psn card and load that onto your us account, but since I've never tried I can't be 100% sure it will work.
  • edited April 2012
    OK so is this game available in Australia on the PC as a download? I cant seem to find any purchase link on the website, all I see is pre-order info and some details for bulk packs and a contest.
  • edited April 2012
    Well that's certainly some pathetic news. All the more reason to be a pc gamer I guess.
    Game's still on steam, next to my Dead Island and UN-cut version of Left 4 Dead 2 - If it wasn't, it's much easier to find workarounds than on a console.

    Kind of sad that Telltale didn't bother to tell anyone until now, and even then only vaguely in a forum post... way to do Business Telltale.....
  • edited April 2012
    i looked on the australian classification board and found out the game has not been registered for classification and that OFLC apparently has not existed since 2006 from what a lot of people have been saying :S
  • puzzleboxpuzzlebox Telltale Alumni
    edited April 2012
    OK so is this game available in Australia on the PC as a download? I cant seem to find any purchase link on the website, all I see is pre-order info and some details for bulk packs and a contest.

    The game is available in Australia as a PC/Mac download. Due to an unforeseeable server issue the Telltale store version is not available yet, but you should be able to get it on Steam right now.
  • edited April 2012
    Censoring the game would be betraying the fans of The Walking Dead.

    C'mon, we all know zombie games have a bit of a history regarding Australia. Why is anyone so surprised? They weren't exactly secret about the nature of violence and gore in the game. TellTale are a small outfit and can't afford the financial risk of a big studio involved in completely changing everything in their game just to be releasable in a handful of countries.
  • edited April 2012
    serializer wrote: »
    Censoring the game would be betraying the fans of The Walking Dead.

    C'mon, we all know zombie games have a bit of a history regarding Australia. Why is anyone so surprised?

    Because like I just mentioned 3 posts up; the likes of Dead island, with obviously more violence and gore - to the point of bullet time initiating on a limb/head decapitation so you can get a face full of the bloody red gory details of your handiwork for several airborne seconds (on both Human! and walker enemies no less)- had absolutely no problems getting here uncut. I can't imagine a cell-shaded adventure game being considered worse then that.

    Again it's fine for me up on steam, so Basically it's Just "TellFail's" Unwillingness to even bother with the console version for some unknown reason. I feel for the people on these forums who went out and bought a PSN Card in anticipation for this but were screwed due to the lack of information Tellfail didn't even bother to provide until now. :(
  • edited April 2012
    TWD would be an easy MA15+ in Australia.

    Remember, for every L4D2, which was more edited down as a big FU to the OFLC (it didn't need to be censored that much at all) there's a Dead Island, Dead Space 1&2, Dead Rising 1&2, all of which got unedited MA15+'s here.
  • edited April 2012
    (heya Aztec!)

    Yeah just as an aside (as someone who's followed the classification and censorship debate for many years now... that R18+ for Australia is looking SO close now...), the OFLC hasn't existed for a number of years now, it's now the 'Classification Board' - http://www.classification.gov.au

    AND, it doesn't now, nor did it ever, apply to New Zealand, so poor NZ being denied the game (on console anyway) seemingly due to ignorance on TT's part. Shame, shame.

    Furthermore, as many have said, it's likely this would've passed without issue (similar to Dead Island etc and the many other titles people have mentioned) as MA15+.

    I'll probably get on PC if I get it anywhere, but would like a demo first.
  • edited April 2012
    I'm playing this in Australia right now on steam.
    I had to disable internet to get it working, probably some goofy bug

    Great game though!!
  • edited April 2012
    You can easily play it on console. Just have a US account, purchase a Playstation Network Card from Best Buy, they'll send you the code in a couple of hours and voila. Purchase TWD.

    I didn't actually realise it was even banned here until after I brought it as the US store has a wider selection, the stuff is often available earlier and for a cheaper price.
  • edited April 2012
    i agree with this it was not fair for nz & australia customer who was sitting waiting so patient for this game to be released then suddenly we see the icon then nothing then telltale said oops we not putting it here in australia nor nz because of our laws they should of look thru and note that gore game i said like dead island left 4 dead games where released here untouch except 2 one but why not just send it thru australia would let it thru.


    australia would not stop this game from being sold thru here the tv show is being air here so considering that we as loyal gamer should be allowed to get it not just pc release ps3 and xbox version
  • edited April 2012
    its pretty disgusting tbh very poor form.

    the fact that nothing was mentioned at all leading up to release and when there is a post made its hidden away in a bunch of crap get your act together!

    theres been far more gorey games that have had ratings and made it through without any changes ( check out dead island) so the fact that there using that as a piss ass excuse is beyond me.
  • edited April 2012
    Bumping! I understand Telltale need to make money. But their poor form in communicating the issue of it not arriving on the AUS/NZ PSN stores is grossly poor. If they had told us a month or two ago it would not be arriving I would understand and not be so disappointed. However we only found out because it did not arrive to the PSN stores and through a sketchy not apologetic forum post. Even now they do not care. Even if it was ONLY Australia I would not be furious. But as someone who lives in Australia I feel awful New Zealand was caught up in our rubbish laws. They know NZ have an R18+ law but they don't think they'll make any money over there so why spend the cost? They are betraying their loyal fans and basically saying New Zealand aren't worth a damn!
  • edited April 2012
    It isn't that hard to make a US account and it is quite handy to have also... most games get released there first and like others have pointed out, most of the time they are way cheaper. I find getting psn cards off ebay usually cheaper though and some of the sellers are really fast at giving you the code. I just paid $23.57 AUD for a $20 US PSN card. Also, you can play the game in your own profile if it is on the same systems as your US account so you wont miss out on trophies...

    The address I use for my US account is:

    3183 Wilshire Blvd
    Los Angeles, CA 90010

    Feel free to use it too!
  • edited April 2012
    Screw Telltale Games, this is absolute bullcrap and I wont buy anything else of theirs. I already bought the points and had been waiting for it to hit the XBLA... been following the dev and been watching every day waiting for the AU release just to find out at last moment it wasnt even considered here. No notice from Telltale, no nothing except a note in a forum, it's just shocking for a business and also has pissed me off immensely... not even replying to anybody is also shocking and ignorant.
  • Macfly77Macfly77 Moderator
    edited April 2012
    not even replying to anybody is also shocking and ignorant.
    Here's a reply:
    Mike wrote: »
    Sorry, but due to the OFLC ratings laws in Australia and New Zealand, and the fact that this is a mature game, we do not currently have plans to release the game there on consoles.
    and another one (I know that this one is more about a release in New Zealand, but it touches on the Australian situation as well):
    _BrYan_ wrote: »
    Hey guys - I happen to be the producer on The Walking Dead that handles game ratings/classifications. I was checking out the forums, saw this post, and just wanted to take a moment to respond to this valid concern from you.

    First of all: I don't feel like anybody is being rude. I understand your excitement to play a game so many others are talking about. I'm sorry you can't get it on console at the moment.

    Typically, our games come to New Zealand because as long as a game is not restricted in Australia, we release in both countries for the cost of just 1 rating. It's been pointed out in this thread already that we pretty much have no chance at getting an Australian rating until early 2013 (when new certification laws come into effect). That said, there IS a way to bypass the Australian rating and attempt to get a game rated directly in New Zealand (See: Mortal Kombat), but the cost of the rating must be weighed against the potential for sales in that reigon. Start by considering the cost of the title. Mortal Kombat has a better chance to make money in New Zealand because it costs roughly 55 dollars MORE than Episode 1 of The Walking Dead. That means they can sell less copies of their game than us and still make money. Even if you opt for the season pass on PSN, Mortal Kombat is still more than twice the cost of The Walking Dead. That means we need to sell a VERY high volume of games in New Zealand to justify the cost (in both time and money) of a New Zealand only rating.

    So, to answer your question: It's a business decision, not a middle finger. Trust me, this is NOT an issue of us disliking our fans in New Zealand, or forgetting about them! Some people in this thread have suggested methoods for getting the game on console already, but my suggestion would be to get it on PC/mac!

    At any rate, I hope this sheds some light on the issue. Again, I'm sorry that we couldn't get this game to your consoles at the same time as places elsewhere, but I just wanted to point out some reasons why and say without spoiling any potential future plans that you guys are on our radar!
  • edited April 2012
    balexia6 wrote: »
    It isn't that hard to make a US account and it is quite handy to have also... most games get released there first and like others have pointed out, most of the time they are way cheaper. I find getting psn cards off ebay usually cheaper though and some of the sellers are really fast at giving you the code. I just paid $23.57 AUD for a $20 US PSN card. Also, you can play the game in your own profile if it is on the same systems as your US account so you wont miss out on trophies...

    The address I use for my US account is:

    3183 Wilshire Blvd
    Los Angeles, CA 90010

    Feel free to use it too!


    i dont think that works for the 360 id like to be able to play it on my profile
  • edited April 2012
    Typical Aussies, always having a whinge.

    Btw the game is really good, you should play it. If you're on ps3/360 you should consider the US account method and not worry too much about trophies, as there's only eight of them which are given for passing chapters. It's pretty silly.
  • edited April 2012
    Macfly77 wrote: »
    Here's a reply:

    and another one (I know that this one is more about a release in New Zealand, but it touches on the Australian situation as well):

    Don't try to be smart. You guys are seriously just digging yourselves a huge hole. Don't you get it? Maybe 5% of people who want to play the Walking Dead game in AUS/NZ will see those forums posts. You still haven't formerly apologized and you still haven't given us a proper press release. I'll say it again, had you PROPERLY communicated that the game was not coming to AUS and NZ things would not be so bad. But you continue to be ignorant as ever and non-apologetic.
  • edited May 2012
    1. Isn't selling a game in Australia, as you have been and continue to do so on steam, that hasn't been classified kind of "not on", possibly even an offence?

    2. Isn't publically suggesting people break the TOS of Xbox Live and PSN to play your game probably not a smart idea?
  • edited May 2012
    Why would they announce that a game isn't coming to a country?
    Are they going to have an announcement that the game isn't coming to Bangladesh and Albania also?
  • edited May 2012
    Never mind - I've put this in its own thread.
  • edited May 2012
    I'll add my 2 cants to this...

    I've bought and played Amy, I Am Alive, Bloodforge, Deadliest Warrior: Legends, Dead Rising series, Hydrophobia to name a few... All of these are Arcade DLC rated M just like The Walking Dead.. I've also bought from my local video game store many many game titles rated M, so IMO the AU/NZ game rating system excuse for not releasing in AU/NZ is pathetic...
  • edited May 2012
    Hank Hill wrote: »
    Typical Aussies, always having a whinge.

    Btw the game is really good, you should play it. If you're on ps3/360 you should consider the US account method and not worry too much about trophies, as there's only eight of them which are given for passing chapters. It's pretty silly.


    No thats pomms mate.

    I am in the UK right now so was really annoyed when I couldn't get it off XBLA. I created a new profile with a free XBL account with a UK address. It was a bit a pain in the arse to get the points on this account as it wouldn't accept my paypal account. I ended up going to a store over here and all was good even works on my Australian account but when using that one you cannot buy new episodes for obvious reasons.
  • edited May 2012
    beef salad, using the secondary account can you continue to buy the episodes regardless of location? (i ask out of pure interest, other half wants to relocate)
  • edited May 2012
    Yeh using the secondary account if I click on purchase episodes or what ever it pops up the usual window to buy points so I guess when the time comes I can just redeem a coupon again.
    The only problem that may occur is location checks on IP. You know if I am in the UK and it works fine it may not work if I was back home but I just don't know. You will only know when you try but let me tell you it is the best £3.50 I have spent. It is a fracking great story.
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