Kyros said: The EU doesn't even have a universal currency LOL the Euro is doing pretty well compared to the dollar recently. And I do not want to say anything bad about our English friends but they are only a small part of Europe.

 

 But they have a huge influence on the European economy. I mean, the only reason that the EU stopped pushinmg for the UK to go fully metric is because, they stated, "we're Europe's gateway to the US" (paraphrased), who use the imperial system.

My money would be on the multiple-language barrier with each individual language not having enough gamers to attract a worthy effort. This is wwhy the NA and JP markets get preferential treatment. Many feel that the rest of EU may not be worth the effort and the UK gamers can just import...its easier this gen.

Pristine20 said: My money would be on the multiple-language barrier with each individual language not having enough gamers to attract a worthy effort. This is wwhy the NA and JP markets get preferential treatment. Many feel that the rest of EU may not be worth the effort and the UK gamers can just import...its easier this gen.

 

 It's only easier this gen for PS3 users. 360 and Wii are still region locked. And it's not easy to import, anyways. Most people would rather go with a shop they trust, especially when shopping online. Not to mention the fact that not everyone is even aware how importing would make a difference.

 

I mean, seriously, what percentage of SSBB buyers were even aware of the fact that they got it last. Very few, I'd say.

They should simply release the English version earlier in English-speaking countries. Maybe they would then learn English in Central and Southern Europe. Besides, there's pretty much no excuse for not doing so.

15 years ago Great Britain was a pretty sad affair and economically a disaster. It is true that they have had an amazing run the last 1,5 decades and are now an economy that is slightly bigger than France,Italy second only to the larger Germany. But that's all. They are one of the 4 big countries and 1/6-1/7 of the population. I do not see a special bigger influence. IMO their stronger ties with the US make their influence on Europe lower not higher (because they are not as interconnected) As to why the UK doesn't have the metric system ... because they didn't want to. Its as easy as that.

@Samuel: Oh, yes. That's why i wrote "problem", since i didn't see where the problem was. And when you replied, i thought you were referring somehow to EU.

Well, the unifying stops somewhere, since after a union is big enough, it loses its meaning. There always need to be "them" or else there's no "us".
If EU took the same route as US, going around the world threatening people, we would see much more unified EU, than it is today. It would strengthen the "us and them" view.

@kyros: That's where your wrong. Most of the (grown-up) people know english "somehow", but well enough to communicate with it or understand what it reads in games that are in english... That's a different story. Then the kids, who are the majority of game buyers, they don't understand enlish, if it's not their native langueage. Look at how much better games do in english speaking countries, opposed to non-english speaking countries. If you have a theory why it wouldn't be because of the language used in games, i'd be happy to listen.

I think there is an irony to be found in this thread. Posters are saying does he actually think Europeans are this stupid. The real question is how can he not. The Europeans after all have gladly tolerated how his company treats them. More to the point this is the one market that was sold on a console out of name brand loyalty, or so I have been told by all the European system loyalists. Then you have the willing to pay so much more mentality. The Europeans really got bent over the table, and they seemed to have no problem with that.

Have you ever heard the saying about there being a fish in the sea for everybody. Well the PS3 is perhaps the social equivalent of a spousal abuser. In which case the Europeans keep coming back for the next beating. Yes it is self destructive, but try explaining that to a spouse that lets the other beat on them. They will always give you the same tired excuses. I am comfortable with my abuser, they do not really mean it, well its my fault that I said anything.

I think it is plain to see how Sony views Europe. The thing is Sony will gladly behave like an ass until the Europeans get the courage to stand up to Sony, and demand to be treated better. Until then Sony public relations are going to make comments like these, because Europe will continue to send them positive reinforcement.

Whoa, I never said that all European kids understand English well enough to play the games. I answered to SamuelRSmith who said that the speech is a problem for the EU as a economic power. Which I don't think is true because everyone in a business environment understands English or at least 95% of them (At least in Northern Europe, Spain and Italy are a different matter)
Of course you need translation.





Why do games better in UK+US compared to Germany/France? It has nothing to do with language because everything is translated. (Thats different for smaller countries). At least in Germany PC gaming was much larger because gaming is of course fun but you can use PCs for something else as well.

I think its a culture thing, video gaming never had the wide acceptance in Europe it has in the States for example.

Someone replied to my with a question. To clear the stock? Yes, that's the release strategy I was talking about. They decided it would be better to screw the buyers than to screw themselves. All companies do that.

Kyros said: The reality on the ground is that everyone in Europe speaks English

I recon you don't travel a lot. Try to make an interrail speaking solely in english across the Europe. It's the fast lane to starvation, embarassment and regret. I've been to most european countries on assignment and the only place I've actually never had to speak english besides the uk was in the netherlands. Even in norway and sweden, many people, (i would recon like 50/50) only know the very basics. And that's certainly not enough to play a videogame, specially if it has dialogs and other intricate speeches.

@ Kyros

Do note that European prices include (relative high) taxes and the US price excludes taxes. Also it's easy to understand why North America is cheaper to support and supply. Most products can be bought cheaper in the US than in the EU, not only PS3s.

We are getting PlayTV though.