Slargmann

I'm confused. Where was the strawman? I don't think that word means what you think it means.

By the same definition, this entire thread constitutes trolling. Unless you can make me, I will enjoy my nominally free will and tell you to blow it out whatever hole you prefer.

The word "trolling" is badly abused here and elsewhere. I'm presenting an alternative viewpoint. You may choose to accept or refute it either silently or overtly.

It looks like we are largely in agreement. I also find it irritating. I simply don't find it irritating enough to complain, for the reasons elaborated on. In essence, there are no grounds for complaint other than a misplaced sense of entitlement. Complaint should happen by way of reduction of purchases. If you don't purchase anything you most certainly have no grounds for complaint.

Ok. No, the McMeal is in fact the base game which is what you're paying (or not as the case may be) for. The promotion is Project R or the little toy you get in the box. Having different promotions for different markets is not unfair nor a spectacular threat against basic human rights. PS. The remark about colour blindness was also an analogy for something related but completely different. But I'm not surprised you'd not pick up on it.

Congratulations, I guess?

It makes a lot of sense. But I like this post. It continues to drive my point. You don't understand, and you believe that because you don't understand that it is irrational. The truth is you don't understand because you can't understand for the same reason a colour blind person can't see the number hidden in all the little circles.

You're being obtuse. The reason you shouldn't complain is because your complaints are utterly meaningless given the market dynamics involved which is the driving point of my argument.

Not in the slightest. In the case of Project R, you're getting a gift with every McMeal in Bangkok, but in London you're getting a 3% chance of a surprise gift.

Ok. Let me try again, then. You know how supply and demand controls pricing at McDonalds in both Bangkok and in London? Here's how it's no different from the current situation despite the fact that one is a physical good and one is an intangible good: At McDonalds in Bangkok, like at any store anywhere in the world, prices are set by what the customers are willing to pay. While margin and cost determines whether it's viable to maintain the store, they have in practice little to do with how the price is set. The same mechanic is at work here. European customers are willing to pay more for virtual goods than asian or Russian customers. This means that giving you something for free tops up the demand side for you which reduces the likelihood you'll spend money since your needs are already met. Complaining that Asians are getting more virtual goods for lower prices is analogous to complaining that they're getting lower prices for their Big Mac. In both markets, the same goods are sold, but the different markets have different purchasing power and so require divergent marketing strategies. A special is not a gift that you get because you're super awesome. It's a marketing tool designed to keep you playing and spending. If a marketing event reduces the willingness to spend, it's a bad one. I am, once again, willing to wager that they've done and are doing the math and despite what you complainers like to think they're probably ahead on this event aswell. Now is it more clear?

Sorry, but you still don't get it. Customers on EU server are charged more and given less free stuff because they can pay more and because giving them more free stuff presumably reduces the amount of stuff they need to buy. You're neglecting the opportunity cost of giving away free stuff, and it's probably what confuses you. Supply is essentially limitless here, so the only tool they can use to control earnings is demand. If giving away free stuff reduces total demand then obviously free stuff should be limited. If on the other hand free giveaways stimulates demand, more free stuff should be handed out. I'm willing to bet that WG after how many years in production are able to predict this pretty well. This is probably why the incessant complaints here aren't given much notice.

[edited] "We don't get enough free stuff! We want more free stuff!" Have mercy.

Your failure to grasp the essence of the analogy doesn't make it a poor analogy. Different markets will see different treatment. There's nothing inherently unfair or mystical about market discrimination, and it's for damn sure not illegal. The whys will differ from case to case, but the mechanics are essentially the same whether the product is burgers, prostitutes or software. Product is product. As to all the rest, go cry to you mama, because I don't really care.

You're complaining you're not getting the same amount of candy as the other kids. You know who does that? Little children. [edited]

It most certainly lacks relevance whether I think it's fair [for the record if you go back you'll be able to note that I think it's annoying, but I also understand like any rational person that they're going to do what's best for their business]. What has relevance is how it affects my decision to keep buying stuff from WG. The answer is that it doesn't. I'm paying for premium time. I'm getting premium time. I'm paying for the odd premium ships. I'm getting the odd premium ship. You're complaining about how you're not getting enough free stuff. I'm calling you out for it, because you're being unbelievably huge overly entitled tits.

I am an inveterate optimist. If even one of you stops their self-indulgent revelry in inanity and reflects on what they're doing for just a second, it's a good day.

Again, if you'd just read what I said you'd know the answer to that question. But it lacks relevance.

And here I got my hopes up that you're not a [edited]. Or are you realizing your error and just posturing in front of your little friend? Here are two tidbits which will set you on the right path: "Cost" is not the same thing as "price". "Human rights" is not the same thing as "Consumer rights". In neither case are they interchangeable. Have you ever heard the phrase, "the price is right"? I want you to consider what that means.

Awesome. Now we're getting somewhere. I can of course only speculate, but off the top of my head I can think of at least two reasons: 1. They believe that handing out free stuff means people are less likely to buy same said free stuff. Presumably they've been doing it long enough that they can predict this. Given that the EU and US markets are the ones with money, it "costs" more to give away free stuff than on RU and Sino. 2. They are running some sort of test to gauge response.

I have a very strong feeling that WG's bottom line is known more intimately by them than you. But if it makes you feel better, keep moaning.

No. That's not at all what happened. Look. From your posts and the words you use I can glean that you have little [obviously you think you have some, but it's really little] idea what you're talking about both in terms of law and in terms of business economics. Words don't just convey meaning, they also betray your level of proficiency in any given subject area. Just admit to yourself that you are without clue, and we can move on.

You're asking all the wrong questions, mr Clue-less. The only question you should be asking is this: 1. Is this business practice good for the share holders? A subset of that question is "Is this business practice legal?" but I think it's possible to argue that it's implied with the first question most of the time. Do they lose money by having different promotions in different markets? If yes, then change the promotion scheme. If no, then continue with the promotion scheme. All this piss and vinegar is just that. Grow up, get a hair cut, put your pants on and get a job.

You're making arguments you believe are logical, but they're not. To put it in terms you can understand: You're touting an over-ripe banana and you're insisting it's an apple. But at least you're honest. You don't have a clue.

Do you refuse to go to McDonalds in your country based on the fact that the Thai get a cheaper Happy Meal in Bangkok than you do in whatever place you live?

Oh for the love of all that is holy. You're what's wrong with the world today. In a wider sense, what's been wrong with the world from the get go. You people on the left side of the bell curve are dragging all of humanity down, do you know that?