Okay, this is a bit of a long shot, but is there anyone here in the US with a US billing address and PayPal (so I can send the money), who is able to purchase Mafia 2 on Amazon and then send me the key?

http://www.amazon.com/2K-Games-40465Mafia-II-Download/dp/B004774ISM/

It's $12.50 (has to be registered to Steam) and has apparently been confirmed to work for those of us in Japan.

Note: While the game cannot be gifted via Amazon, all you need to do is email me the serial key that will either be emailed to you or posted in you Amazon download area -- or however they handle it.

Considering that Valve have now put the Steam release date for us back to Feb 2011, this is my best bet of getting hold of Mafia 2 anytime soon.

If someone can help, please let me know and I'll give you the relevant email address.

Thanks

Sure. I just got a gift certificate there anyways, might as well use it.
Just give the word and I'll get it for you.

Please email me at SNIP

How the hell does that work? I can't believe that localisation can take that long for a single game, what are they combing through it & converting any american slang terms to japansese slang terms?

They're not doing anything. 2K Japan don't want to sell it on the PC. It appears that 2K US want them to sell it and Valve naturally, don't want to stop making money off the pre-orders so also want them to sell it. =/

What Valve should have done, is removed the game from sale until 2K finally gave the OK.

It has taken longer to localise some British works for America, so I can see it taking that long.

Thanks. It sort of worked.

Seems despite what 2K told me, Valve didn't lift the IP block on activation. But I just used a VPN to bypass that (hopefully) at least the key registered via the VPN and I'm now downloading the game.

Oh thank God. I was terrified that I had put in the worng e-mail address or something. I'd probably fuck up like that. Hope you enjoy the game!

Nah, just the same problem I had when I imported MW2. Bloody Valve and their IP blocking =/ Waste of time considering it's easy to get passed if you can find a VPN.

I sent you an email asking how you'd like to be repaid.

Got it and replied. Thank you for your generosity.

And again, my thanks to you =)