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Hey, GOGgers,

We're not perfect, we're exploring new frontiers, and we make mistakes. We thought DRM-Free was so important that you'd prefer we bring you more DRM-Free games and Fair Price was less critical and that it could be sacrificed in some cases. The last two week's worth of comments in our forums (nearly 10k!), show that's not the case. We didn’t listen and we let you down. We shouldn't sacrifice one of our core values in an attempt to advance another. We feel bad about that, and we're sorry. Us being sorry is not of much use to you, so let’s talk about how we will fix it.

One: DRM-free forever. Abandoning fixed regional pricing means it will probably take longer to get some games, but you've made it clear that sacrificing fair pricing for more DRM-free games isn't acceptable.

Two: We will adamantly continue to fight for games with flat worldwide pricing. If that fails and we are required to have regional prices, we will make up the difference for you out of our own pockets. For now it will be with $5.99 and $9.99 game codes. In a couple of months, once we have such functionality implemented, we will give you store credit instead, which then you will be able to use towards any purchase and cover the price of it in full or partially. Effectively gamers from all around the world will be able to benefit from the US prices.

This will apply to every single game where we do not have flat pricing, such as Age of Wonders 3 (full details here), Divinity: Original Sin, and The Witcher 3. If you remember the Fair Price Package for The Witcher 2, this will be exactly the same.

Three: We still intend to introduce the pricing in local currencies. Let us explain why we want to do it and how we want to make it fair for everyone. From the very beginning our intention was to make things easier for users whose credit cards/payment systems are not natively in USD. The advantages are simple because the price is more understandable and easier to relate to. There would be no exchange rates involved, no transaction fees, and no other hidden charges. However after reading your comments, we realized we have taken an important element away: the choice. In order to fix this, we'll offer the option of paying in the local currency or the equivalent in USD. This way, how you pay is always your choice.

Four: You are what matters, and we will be sure to involve you all more in what we're doing and why we're doing it. Let's start by meeting you at GDC - we’d like to invite you to meet us face-to-face Monday the 17th at GDC. Obviously, not all of you can come to San Francisco, so we want to invite all of you to an online event with us early in April to ask us whatever you would like. More details soon.

The bottom line is simple: there may be companies that won't work with us (although we will work hard to convince the most stubborn ones ;). Yes, it means we might miss out on some games, but at the same time GOG.com will remain true to its values and will keep on offering you the best of DRM-free gaming with Fair Prices.

Once again thank you for caring so much about GOG.com. We will work hard not to disappoint you again.

--Marcin "iWi" Iwinski & Guillaume "TheFrenchMonk" Rambourg
Thank you GOG staff for listening to consumer feedback. It is comforting to know that companies still listen to what their customers are saying and continue to make adjustments accordingly.

EDIT: Left out a word
Post edited March 11, 2014 by digital2k13
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GOG.com: One: DRM-free forever. Abandoning fixed regional pricing means it will probably take longer to get some games, but you've made it clear that sacrificing fair pricing for more DRM-free games isn't acceptable.
Good to see that you've got over your insecurities in this area. Publishers may play the "regional pricing or no deal" card, but the fact remains that GOG remains a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world, and have a considerable amount of negotiation power.
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GOG.com: Two: We will adamantly continue to fight for games with flat worldwide pricing. If that fails and we are required to have regional prices, we will make up the difference for you out of our own pockets. For now it will be with $5.99 and $9.99 game codes. In a couple of months, once we have such functionality implemented, we will give you store credit instead, which then you will be able to use towards any purchase and cover the price of it in full or partially. Effectively gamers from all around the world will be able to benefit from the US prices.

This will apply to every single game where we do not have flat pricing, such as Age of Wonders 3 (full details here), Divinity: Original Sin, and The Witcher 3. If you remember the Fair Price Package for The Witcher 2, this will be exactly the same.
Fair enough. And if I'm honest, this would have been an acceptable compromise from the outset. I think several people suggested this.
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GOG.com: Three: We still intend to introduce the pricing in local currencies. Let us explain why we want to do it and how we want to make it fair for everyone. From the very beginning our intention was to make things easier for users whose credit cards/payment systems are not natively in USD. The advantages are simple because the price is more understandable and easier to relate to. There would be no exchange rates involved, no transaction fees, and no other hidden charges. However after reading your comments, we realized we have taken an important element away: the choice. In order to fix this, we'll offer the option of paying in the local currency or the equivalent in USD. This way, how you pay is always your choice.
Great idea, although I don't think it will make much of a difference with individual purchases. I think PayPal skims off around 10 euro cents for a $9.99 game. But still, the thought counts.
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GOG.com: Four: You are what matters, and we will be sure to involve you all more in what we're doing and why we're doing it. Let's start by meeting you at GDC - we’d like to invite you to meet us face-to-face Monday the 17th at GDC. Obviously, not all of you can come to San Francisco, so we want to invite all of you to an online event with us early in April to ask us whatever you would like. More details soon.
Well, sheiiiit. I'm in SF and LA next year, when you guys obviously won't be. There's always Gamescom though if you guys plan on making an appearance there.
Post edited March 11, 2014 by jamyskis
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Aaaaaand... I'm back buying here ;)
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Very glad to hear this. It's always good to see a company listens to its customers! I'm also glad there are more options for those folks who pre-ordered AOW3.
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wow! awesome news!
Great job, Good Old Games! :> Like you always do :-)
This is great, awesome move!
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Solid, thanks. I feel better about supporting/helping to bring games, now.
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Wow! Unexpected turn back, but I'm happier now :D
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Admirable, GOG, and a wonderful solution. You have restored my faith (which wavered but did not falter), and once again are showing the way as to how an ethical business is run.

Thank you for listening, thank you for responding in a meaningful way, and thank you for continuing to put your not-inconsiderable weight on the right side of the fight for truly fair gaming.
I really didn't expect this, but just watch out you won't go bankrupt with giving out GOG-credit and/or game codes. That wouldn't really serve anyone.

Other than that, I'm really glad you guys'll push for flat pricing (and of course, DRM-free games!). Love you guys!
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I've stayed out of the hullaballo, but I just want to say: You handled this in a matter MUCH better than other companies might've. So, congratulations for that. Thank you.
I'm sorry for your loses on these titles...

For the future I believe it's the right move.

There is nothing wrong with regional currencies if customer can choose to use some small tick box or option to buy in USD too.
I appreciate listening to customer's voice.
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Moral of the story: Downfall videos do make a difference. :P