Redglyph said:
Talking about Valve dodging laws. They did it again.

www.gamesindustry.biz

Steam currently banned in Vietnam

Earlier this week, Steam became banned in the country of Vietnam.As reported by Game Developer, per translation from Vi…
www.gamesindustry.biz www.gamesindustry.biz
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Not to defend Valve too much, but I can imagine that being one hell of a roadblock, if they have to go through the whole Valve games catalogue and for the government of Vietnam to render verdict on each on.
I wonder how they did it up until this change? Was this a recent law in Vietnam?
Also, from the post, it seems that the block is coming from ISPs, which were probably leaned on by the government.

It does make you think, what happens when something like this happens in the country you're living in? When either a law is untenable, or Valve simply refuses.
What happens to the libraries we've amassed? In their case they can probably get away with going through a VPN, unless the ISPs start banning VPN servers.
What a pain in the ass.
 
danutz_plusplus said:
Not to defend Valve too much, but I can imagine that being one hell of a roadblock, if they have to go through the whole Valve games catalogue and for the government of Vietnam to render verdict on each on.
I wonder how they did it up until this change? Was this a recent law in Vietnam?
Also, from the post, it seems that the block is coming from ISPs, which were probably leaned on by the government.

It does make you think, what happens when something like this happens in the country you're living in? When either a law is untenable, or Valve simply refuses.
What happens to the libraries we've amassed? In their case they can probably get away with going through a VPN, unless the ISPs start banning VPN servers.
What a pain in the ass.
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When they violated laws, it was often in favour of the customers (and Valve, of course). Off the top of my head, they sold games banned in Australia and games at different regional prices in Europe.

I don't know much about the politics in Vietnam, but the people's rights are apparently still way behind. For games, they have strict restrictions like no blood or images that could cause distress. Vetting each game sounds like an impossible task with Steam's ridiculous catalogue. Even if they got rid of all the porn and Chinese F2P, they'd still need years to go through the list.

I hope people there are still able to play, but I'm afraid they simply can't any more. I suppose it's like playing a few days in offline mode until the launcher refuses. :confused:

Here's a Google translation of a Reddit post which is a copy/paste from what I think is the official press release. According to some posts, the local publishers are just unhappy because they can't abuse people as easily because of Steam, but I haven't read anything credible enough to believe it. Others claim Steam just doesn't pay due taxes and thus has an unfair advantage. It's hard to see clearly through this mess.

That's why it's not easy for distributors to support all those countries.

Steam is Valve's video game distribution service launched in 2003 as a software application that automatically delivers games and was expanded to distribute third-party titles.

Talking to VietNamNet, many domestic game publishers believe that they are being treated unfairly, when the Steam platform is releasing more than 100,000 unlicensed computer (PC) games into the Vietnamese market.

“Steam is releasing games freely into Vietnam, including violent games, adult games... but without having to ask for permission. This is an injustice to domestic publishers. This requires authorities to take management measures with this cross-border platform, otherwise, domestic game publishers will die," a representative of a game publisher shared.

According to PV VietNamNet's research, Steam is Valve's video game distribution service launched in 2003 as a software application, automatically providing games and expanded to distribute game titles. of third parties from the end of 2005 until now.

Steam offers a variety of features such as technical management, game server connection with Valve Anti-Cheat anti-hacking solution, social networks and Streaming services. Besides, Steam's application also automatically updates games, cloud storage, community features...

Steam is released globally, currently has more than 100,000 games distributed (including paid and free) as well as updating 6,000 - 8,000 games each year. This platform supports up to 24 languages and is easily accessible to all users around the world. According to VGC, 2023 has seen a series of games distributed on Steam, with 14,535 new games, an increase of nearly 2,000 games compared to 2022.

To use Steam is very simple, just download and install Steam Client, then register an account and proceed to buy games or play free games provided by this platform. Steam also has a built-in electronic wallet (Steam wallet) so players can recharge and pay for user needs (buy games, buy items on the market, items...).

As noted, a lot of shooting games are being released on Steam, which still leave the effect (red blood) intact. In Vietnam, games of the same genre must be edited, due to the violent nature that affects the players' psychology. Besides, on this platform there are also games with adult content with revealing images, sexual intercourse...

In 2021, the Steam Global version was officially "banned" in the Chinese market, replaced by a Steam version specifically for China. The game library on this platform has just over 100 titles, most of which are Chinese games. Players can find some famous games like Dota 2, CSGO... but will not be able to find games rated 18+ which are very popular on Steam.

In addition to lacking about 110,000 games compared to the Global version, Steam China is also not allowed to have any community features, does not support Workshops, does not allow selling trading cards on the Community Market, and does not have a forum to Gamers communicate and support each other,...

New games that want to appear on this platform will also be strictly censored. Specifically, games released in China are not allowed to have blood, are not allowed to show images of "skulls and bones" and images that can hurt gamers.

According to sources from the management agency, with no contact point in Vietnam, the authorities are looking for solutions to prevent illegal cross-border services from being provided to Vietnamese users in the future. next time.
 
danutz_plusplus said:
All companies seem to be gradually moving towards being almost unable to contact them. Only if you go to their physical store, if they have one, and if you go there they push you back to the digital
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Yes, and it's incredibly frustrating sometimes. For example, it's nearly impossible to contact my internet/TV provider (Comcast), and when you do, you get routed to a call center outside of the US and end up talking to someone who can barely speak English.

It's nuts. Even some of the food places here use international call centers now. I called to order a pizza from Domino's (large pizza chain here in the US), and next thing I know I'm talking to a guy in India!
 
On a similar note I heard from an acquaintance that knew someone that worked in a call-center, that was contracted either by a bank in the UK, or something similar. (or not sure I remember the exact details).
They were contracted to be a support point for old people that had difficulties paying their bills and whatnot, on the web via their credit/debit cards. So these old people would call this call-center and read their card information to the employee at the call-center, who would then pay on their behalf. The employees were given guidance to not write down the card information. :ROFLMAO:

It sounded kind of insane, but I wouldn't not believe it after seeing what some of the banks are allowed to do.
 
Maybe the thread would benefit from a rename like "Sony games coming to PC". :)

I haven't played RDR1. Would it really be interesting after playing RDR2?
 
Redglyph said:
Maybe the thread would benefit from a rename like "Sony games coming to PC". :)

I haven't played RDR1. Would it really be interesting after playing RDR2?
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Not sure who can rename the thread. I assume the OP, but they've been deleted. Maybe a moderator. I'd vote for making it even more generic: "Console exclusives coming to PC".

I'd say it's worth playing. It's technically the sequel to RDR2, narratively.
I've already been spoiled to the end of the game, and it's definitely not as cinematic and narrative heavy as RDR2.
But I still want to play it. It has a bunch of wacky and fun characters. It's more GTA in that sense, than RDR2, which took itself much more seriously.
And I also want to play Undead Nightmare, the spinoff expansion.
 
Redglyph said:
@Pladio, could you please rename the thread as 'Console exclusives coming to PC', if that's in your uber-powers? To all intents, that's what it has become. :)
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No, I'm actually not very powerful. I just have lots of tags :D

I am also wondering what happened to Porcozaur and why he's been deleted :O

@Taluntain can you edit the title ?
 
Pladio said:
I am also wondering what happened to Porcozaur and why he's been deleted :O
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Quite simple he closed his account, and after a few days it will just say deleted.

As for why who knows maybe he got tired of the forum and moved on. 🤷‍♂️
 
danutz_plusplus said:
No use creating another thread, but apparently we might be getting RDR1 on PC. That would be the shit! :D
https://twitter.com/x/status/1790031522315026508
View: https://twitter.com/TezFunz2/status/1790031522315026508

As long as it's not a shitty port like the GTA ones.
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I can't imagine Rockstar putting much effort into a PC port of RDR at this point, but maybe they'll surprise us.

Redglyph said:
I haven't played RDR1. Would it really be interesting after playing RDR2?
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If it's just a straight port, it's probably going to feel pretty basic to people playing it now for the first time especially if they've already played RDR 2. Keep in mind the game was released in 2010.

I'll be curious to see how they price it.
 
Is the timing is important to anyone:

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Meh..I say.. meh. Both those games do nothing for me glad you both enjoy them.
 
Hellblade 2 seems very visceral. I've seen a first official gameplay 'demo' with a fight against a giant, but it looked like a cinematic where we couldn't see what the protagonist could see most of the time, with a annoying and distracting off voice talking all the time. If it's like that, it's definitely not for me. Another video looked more like a 3rd-person view and always 1-on-1 combat. In the end, I don't really get how this game is supposed to work.
 
Redglyph said:
Hellblade 2 seems very visceral. I've seen a first official gameplay 'demo' with a fight against a giant, but it looked like a cinematic where we couldn't see what the protagonist could see most of the time, with a annoying and distracting off voice talking all the time. If it's like that, it's definitely not for me. Another video looked more like a 3rd-person view and always 1-on-1 combat. In the end, I don't really get how this game is supposed to work.
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It's definitely an experience. The voices that Senua hears are there a lot of times, but I never found them annoying or anything. Just more immersive as to her psychosis.
I loved the demo's they showed off, but I wouldn't bet at how much of that is actually in the game. We'll have to see.
It's the sort of 6-8h adventure.
But if you haven't played the first one, I'm not sure how much you'll enjoy it.
They're probably developing it with that consideration in mind, that some haven't, but it's so good that you're definitely missing out if you don't play it. But be warned, it does have its rough edges. But the story and setting is strong enough to put up with some of the rough spots. It's a great story.

I'd be curious how gorgeous it actually looks. It has the potential to be the best looking UE5 game currently.

Unfortunately, it's very likely they won't be making too much of their money back. And with the recent studio closures it's looking more and more likely they won't make it in the long term. It's definitely an arthouse game/movie and a bit more niche.
 
danutz_plusplus said:
It's definitely an experience. The voices that Senua hears are there a lot of times, but I never found them annoying or anything. Just more immersive as to her psychosis.
I loved the demo's they showed off, but I wouldn't bet at how much of that is actually in the game. We'll have to see.
It's the sort of 6-8h adventure.
But if you haven't played the first one, I'm not sure how much you'll enjoy it.
They're probably developing it with that consideration in mind, that some haven't, but it's so good that you're definitely missing out if you don't play it. But be warned, it does have its rough edges. But the story and setting is strong enough to put up with some of the rough spots. It's a great story.

I'd be curious how gorgeous it actually looks. It has the potential to be the best looking UE5 game currently.

Unfortunately, it's very likely they won't be making too much of their money back. And with the recent studio closures it's looking more and more likely they won't make it in the long term. It's definitely an arthouse game/movie and a bit more niche.
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It does look quite unique (and gorgeous), and the psychological part is tangible. I didn't know it was so short, though. Is the idea to replay it multiple times to explore other possibilities? I see it's €50, so not too cheap for something in that range.

I'll keep an eye on both games. :)
 
Redglyph said:
It does look quite unique (and gorgeous), and the psychological part is tangible. I didn't know it was so short, though. Is the idea to replay it multiple times to explore other possibilities? I see it's €50, so not too cheap for something in that range.

I'll keep an eye on both games. :)
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No, it's not really meant to be replayed. It's a narrative game. I'd personally pay even 100 for these sorts of cerebral and thoughtful games, that the devs poured they heart into.
I'd rather have one game that I played for 8h, that I'll remember for the rest of my life, than one that is just a game. Personally I qualify these as more experiential games.
There's a few games like these that are so wonderful that I fondly remember. SOMA is another recent one. That's a masterpiece.
 
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