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Barry_Woodward: Why are we talking about download restrictions? That's not something GOG does.
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PaterAlf: We are talking theoretically. Once you'll bring more regional restricted games to GOG, you'll need a system to really enforce what the publishers want. Download and gifting restrictions or regional blocks would be a logical consequence.
More region restricted games doesn't necessitate a system to enforce it. It's possible. But then, it's always possible for them to spring something like that on us. There's nothing to suggest that they would pursue that, though. Given how shy GOG tends to be about attempting anything new, I can't see them suddenly instituting this without first checking to see what the potential (likely significant) backlash would be.
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Chacranajxy: Given how shy GOG tends to be about attempting anything new, I can't see them suddenly instituting this without first checking to see what the potential (likely significant) backlash would be.
Yeah, they were extremely shy when they introduced regional pricing ("Good news!") and gifting restrictions (they were so shy that they didn't even tell us about it).
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Chacranajxy: Given how shy GOG tends to be about attempting anything new, I can't see them suddenly instituting this without first checking to see what the potential (likely significant) backlash would be.
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PaterAlf: Yeah, they were extremely shy when they introduced regional pricing ("Good news!") and gifting restrictions (they were so shy that they didn't even tell us about it).
The blowback resulting from those is probably why they've been so shy about things more recently.
I wish I had seen this thread when it was live so that I wouldn't need to necro it.
I read almost all of it and kept noticing that there were two very distinct situations being referred to whenever it was said "regional restriction". Most arguing was due to people mixing them up.

The first situation is about a game that isn't allowed in a certain country due to myopic lawmakers and stupid politicians. In this case I understand it's perfectly acceptable that GOG accepts this game in the store.
Suppose that for whatever reason Brazil suddenly passes a law saying Baldur's Gate is not allowed within its borders. Should GOG drop it from the store?
Wouldn't it unfairly punish gamers from everywhere else?
Yes, of course it would. And what's the difference to making a deal now to sell a game that is legally restricted in a country to one that will be restricted in the future?
Naturally GOG should only restrict users (based on their IP) from getting a game in a fairly lax way i.e. taking the least restrictive approach that still obeys the law. (For example no prohibition to gifting the game to a german-based user.) They already do this.

The other situation is the case where a publisher decides that anyone from a certain country shouldn't be allowed to play their game. Hell if I know why such a stupid decision is made but you can expect only one thing coming out of most executives' minds and baby butts alike. The publisher apparently knows better than their customers and even their money isn't welcome.
In this case the only proper answer GOG could give them is "Take your fine game and shove it in a dark smelly place, thank you."
Post edited June 28, 2016 by joppo
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joppo: ...
Yep, that reflects my opinion on the matter as well.
I think it would help if GOG would do a couple things. Specifically:

1. Display, on the game's gamecard, if the game is regionally restricted, even if the person viewing it isn't in one of the restricted regions.

2. Allow the user to filter out regionally restricted games, even if they're not restricted in the user's region.

This would help those who are opposed to the idea in principle.