Why There's No GTA IV In India - Kotaku Comments

Why There's No GTA IV In India

NeoStarr — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:24:58 MDT

For only one easy payment of $59.99, you can save a child in India from a life without murder simulation.

NeoStarr

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Billkwando — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:01:33 MDT

@Tyber_Zann: I didn't state an opinion. I suggested something that I might've suggested if I were less sensitive, but being quite sensative, didn't. :P

Beside, mine was a joke and yours was a diatribe.

Billkwando

Why There's No GTA IV In India

berribrand — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:32:26 MDT

@Tyber_Zann: In addition to what greymatterpimp said, you should also voice your concerns to all your elected officials... and vote every time. There is a reason politicians care about stuff old people are concerned with (social security, medicare) and that's because they actually vote.

berribrand

Why There's No GTA IV In India

harshakamikaze — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:20:20 MDT

Update: Some stores have imported them and started selling them at unreasonable prices like starting from $125 upwards. This plain $ucks :(. Im not paying that much even for GTA IV

harshakamikaze

Why There's No GTA IV In India

harshakamikaze — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:12:04 MDT

@greymatterpimp:
No dude you're damn wrong!
In US/UK new games cost around $60 right, well In India new popular games start at $85. Those that are extremely hyped and popular are even more expensive tagged at around $115(I'm looking at you Halo 3).
According to me, I think the reason for not letting India have it at release dates is coz most people don't rush to the stores to get a copy the minute it releases, because of the price. We wait for a month or two when the prices drop to $60-80 range. So, it makes sense that during their shortage R* just decided that India can have it later wwhich is when sales pick up!!

harshakamikaze

Why There's No GTA IV In India

greymatterpimp — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:23:16 MDT

My guess is that games (like other software) are commonly sold for less in "emerging markets" like India or China to deal with the twin threats of rampant piracy and low consumer income. In turn, this means that game producers are likely to see less profit per unit sold in those markets. So, if there's even a hint of a shortage, it makes sense to divert units to the markets where you're making a higher profit. Plus, your really rich customers in those markets can always get import copies (purchased from countries where the markup is higher.)

Does anyone know what videogame prices are like in India? I don't have any figures to back this up, so I may just be blowing smoke.

On an unrelated note, I can't resist the troll bait.
@Tyber_Zann: While you certainly have a right to be frustrated at poor phone support and the loss of American jobs, I have a constructive suggestion. The next time you're kicked to a poor-quality CSR in India by some company, write that company and complain, preferably explaining that you'd be willing to pay higher prices for better-quality support. Indians aren't responsible for outsourcing, it's the companies that want lower support overhead (for higher profits,) and the consumers who sacrifice support quality for cheaper goods.

greymatterpimp

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Tyber_Zann — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:50:51 MDT

@asTer0id: So did the guy above me, does he get the banhammer as well for stating an opinion? Besides, its the truth. And I don't hate Indians, as this isn't racism. I just don't appreciate what's going on over there with their 'support' services that not only take our jobs, but frustrate customers. Oh noes I went off topic, which I usually do on most posts! Sue me.

Go puff your chest and point fingers elsewhere, where people might actually give a damn.

Tyber_Zann

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Kimiko — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:33:40 MDT

@asTer0id:

agreed.

Kimiko

Why There's No GTA IV In India

asTer0id — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:21:39 MDT

@Tyber_Zann: how long after someone says "India" that you go on a rant about CSRs and outsourcing? Not only is your response racist and offensive, you deserve some quality time with the banhammer.

asTer0id

Why There's No GTA IV In India

SixStringAddict — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:41:47 MDT

^^
Yea, because all one billion of them are in IT. Get a clue moron

SixStringAddict

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Tyber_Zann — Thu, 08 May 2008 07:55:04 MDT

There's no GTA in India because everyone is too busy working in their tech support shacks for pennies a day, with no clue as to how to actually help people. Shut up Habib, I doubt your name is 'Joe'.

Fucking outsourcing.

Tyber_Zann

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Billkwando — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:29:10 MDT

If I were a less sensitive person I'd suggest that the US is worried about losing all their CSRs in one fell swoop.

Billkwando

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Mricci424 — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:24:16 MDT

1 less country to complain about how GTA is ruining the moral fibers of society

Mricci424

Why There's No GTA IV In India

KM91 — Thu, 08 May 2008 06:05:03 MDT

Game shortages?

KM91

Why There's No GTA IV In India

harlock_JDS — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:57:54 MDT

I know in stores where i live the game is hard to find. I went to 5-6 places this week (game stores, electronic stores and general department stores) looking for a copy before i gave up and ordered from amazon.

So yeah I'll buy a game shortage.

harlock_JDS

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Contra maudi — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:24:06 MDT

India is the Easy one.....

Saudi Arabia Banned the Game

I HARDLY got a copy X_X

x2 the price.....

Contra maudi

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name. — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:35:41 MDT

Makes sense I suppose.

Hm... GTA Dubai...

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

Why There's No GTA IV In India

SaveMandela — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:01:49 MDT

reddevil3 u hinting little snake hahaha i just hope the peeps in india get to explore algonquin and run over tai-chi groups in middle park! gl gl my babies

SaveMandela

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Slash3 — Thu, 08 May 2008 02:40:31 MDT

I have a very hard time believing that this is the sole reason. CD/DVD duplication is hardly a new craft, the game went into duplication weeks before launch, and of all places I'm sure they could find a factory in Indie to churn out a half million discs in no time flat.

Slash3

Why There's No GTA IV In India

reddevil3 — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:25:53 MDT

Actually GTA IV is available. Widely. Not legally though...

reddevil3

Why There's No GTA IV In India

Snake726 — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:13:27 MDT

That sucks :\

Snake726