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EA And 1C Deliver Jewel-Cased Games To Russia
Posted by Mike Fahey at 2:20 AM on September 19, 2008
PC games in jewel cases aren't just for discount titles at Walmart and Target anymore. Electronic Arts has announced a distribution agreement with 1C Company which will see the latter releasing the former's newer PC titles throughout Russia in jewel case economy packaging. The first titles coming out this fall in the tiny plastic packages will include Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Crysis Warhead, and NHL 09.
"We release jewel games for the first time especially for Russian market. Owing to 1C's optimised distribution system our cooperation will become the next step in expanding EA games on regional markets of Russia and CIS", - says Murad Shapiev, Sales Director for Electronic Arts Russia.
Of course jewel cases means that the folks in Russia, along with Ukraine and Kazakhstan (careful, they're sensitive) will probably be missing out pack-ins like bulky manuals, maps, posters, and other goodies, but considering the giant piles of such items cluttering my apartment that might not be such a bad thing.
Electronic Arts and 1C Company signed a distribution agreement
Electronic Arts and 1C Company signed a distribution agreement to spread EA games over Russia and CIS countries
MOSCOW, Russia - September 18, 2008 - Electronic Arts and 1C Company announce an agreement to create new channel for distribution of EA games. According to the contract signed 1C receives the rights to distribute EA titles for PC and consoles in Russia and CIS countries. The collaboration of these two companies is firstly aimed to consolidate and advance the largest markets (after Russia) - Ukraine and Kazakhstan. 1C Company already has offices in the region and has leading market share in these countries.
Another important stage in the cooperation of Electronic Arts and 1C Company is the distribution of EA games for PC in economy jewel packs in Russia. For the first time ever part of new games released by world's leading publisher will be distributed in economy packs (CD jewel case). Electronic Arts plans to release three new jewel packed games for PC - Crysis Warhead, C&C Red Alert 3, NHL 09. These games will be released in autumn 2008.
"Choice of 1C as our strategic partner is not a random decision. Nowadays 1C is a key player on the distribution market of PC games in jewels. Due to its professionalism this company gained high business reputation and we are interested in long-term and mutually profitable relations", - comments Peter Laughton, EA Vice President and General Manager of Central and Eastern Europe.
"We release jewel games for the first time especially for Russian market. Owing to 1C's optimised distribution system our cooperation will become the next step in expanding EA games on regional markets of Russia and CIS", - says Murad Shapiev, Sales Director for Electronic Arts Russia.
"The agreement signed is an unprecedented event for Russian market. World's leading publisher will unite its strength with the largest Russian software company. We greet Electronic Arts' initiative to distribute games in economy packs", - notes Nikolay Baryshnikov, International Sales Director for 1C Company. "1С became one of the first companies to introduce that scheme in Russian industry. I am sure that the experience gained along with our distribution network which is the biggest in Russia and CIS countries will contribute to effective collaboration and further growth of Russian game market."
In Crysis Warhead the player has to fit in the Nanosuit of Sergeant "Psycho" Sykes, one of the most memorable characters of Crysis. Occurrences in the story of Psycho, who has always been more aggressive and impudent than his comrade Nomad, take place at the same time with the original game in another part of the island. They turn out to be even more dynamic and intense. Fortunately, Psycho's Nanosuit can perform a lot as it is equipped with modifiable weapons and many new techniques, helping the players to find out the right way from any complicated situation. Besides of that remarkable campaign the player can also participate in multiplayer mode.
C&C Red Alert 3 presents a thrilling journey to the future of the alternative universe that appeared as the result of unsuccessful travel in time. Developed by EA Los Angeles Red Alert 3 sets new standards in real-time strategy genre, introducing campaign for co-operate mode. The campaign keeps renowned non-complicated style and classic rich gameplay.
NHL 09 introduces the opportunity to step on ice rink on your own! New "Be a Pro" mode allows to customise the character looking anyhow you wish. And in "Hall of Fame" you can not even simply create a character to play, but also to join him in the way to glory through AHL and NHL. Improved "Skill Stick" and control system, taken from NHL94 allows the player to command with his characters clearly and easily.
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
lostgamedev
Posted 2:36 AM 19/9/08
@zverozyab: they cost THAT much? wow.. maybe I'll export some and make me some cash :)
lostgamedev
zverozyab
Posted 2:33 AM 19/9/08
Jewel packs cost about 450 roubles here = 18 $ approx.
zverozyab
lostgamedev
Posted 2:32 AM 19/9/08
jewel cases are sooo brittle. put a pressure on it and it'll crack. but hey, maybe russians are a bit more careful, eh?
lostgamedev
PatMan33
Posted 2:31 AM 19/9/08
@Warrior_Within_: Nah... just his. >_>
PatMan33
HikariOblivion
Posted 2:30 AM 19/9/08
These are modern games. What pack-ins? Most PC games these days come in a small box with a single paper sleeve and a manual written on toilet paper inside if you're lucky.
Granted, some publishers (Stardock comes to mind) get it right, but not most of them.
HikariOblivion
Gummyworm
Posted 2:29 AM 19/9/08
What I wonder is if there will be any price differences between these "economic" jewel cased PC games and ordinary boxed PC games.
Hell, who is this new policy "economic" towards to? Because right now, it seems as EA is the only party winning and is laughing their capitalistic butt of to eternity.
Gummyworm
kiigan
Posted 2:29 AM 19/9/08
I wish they'd do that with all games. Game boxes take up too much space!
kiigan
goddessakasha
Posted 2:29 AM 19/9/08
"...will probably be missing out pack-ins like bulky manuals, maps, posters, and other goodies..."
I haven't bought a game from EA in years that included either a "bulky manual" or "goodies".... most EA manuals are crap. You should see the pamphlet that came with Warhammer.
goddessakasha
InfernoT
Posted 2:28 AM 19/9/08
I actually wouldn't mind this as an option here.
InfernoT
Warrior_Within_
Posted 2:27 AM 19/9/08
@ComradeStalin86:
Those jokes are old and stupid. You fail!
Warrior_Within_
Warrior_Within_
Posted 2:26 AM 19/9/08
woot! woot! Go RUSSIA!
Warrior_Within_
ComradeStalin86
Posted 2:22 AM 19/9/08
In Soviet Union, Russia delivers Jewl-Cased Games to YOU!
Weak, I know, but it had to be done. I wonder if the consumers there would mind missing out on the "goodies" that usually come with the games.
ComradeStalin86
zverozyab
Posted 3:16 AM 19/9/08
@lostgamedev: Yes, from the day one. More expensive cases can cost up to 700 roubles (28$). Crysis was sold at 700 roubles and people bought 400 000 copies in Russia only (according to EA press-conference). PC games are very popular here due to low prices (which are low because of pirates). Games for consoles are sold at 60-70 $ (no сompetition from pirates because of DRM, at least in PS3 case, no need to cut down prices).
zverozyab
13xforever
Posted 3:15 AM 19/9/08
Just to let you know, here in Russia, we have almost all games in jewels. DVD-boxes is quite a rare guest, not even mentioning a full boxes.
BTW, we have Bionic Commando Rearmed in jewel (hard-copy :)) for just around $6 :p... Too bad, I've bought it for €14.99 just a day before localized release :(
13xforever
Droid
Posted 3:03 AM 19/9/08
@lostgamedev: all of these cheap versions are in Russian language )
there's no way I'm gonna buy console games here. Just because new games usually cost 2500 rubles (approx.. 100 USD). Better to buy it in American or even European Internet stores. It will cost less with shipping and you will get your game earlier in any case.
So the situation on Russian video games market is awful now. Maybe alliances like that one will help.
Droid
lordofsword
Posted 3:03 AM 19/9/08
@HikariOblivion: I don't know what version of Company of Heroes I bought, but it came with postcards of some of the units, a guidebook for armour tactics, the manual, and a copy of DoW. Most games I play or buy are on Steam though, so I don't have to worry about what case the game comes in.
It also wasn't that long - maybe 5 years - since all PC games came in those enormous A4-sized cardboard boxes that were about 2 inches thick, even though all you had inside was a jewel case. I don't know what they thought they were achieving with that.
lordofsword
DoomDoomDoom
Posted 2:57 AM 19/9/08
I hate how thick the boxes for PC game are. I mean, what's the point of it? Just wasting plastic - can't they stick the DVD-ROM in a DVD case?
Also, the cardboard sleeve AROUND the bulky plastic case. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff?
DoomDoomDoom
TheDoomer
Posted 2:56 AM 19/9/08
Uhh...Call of Duty 4 came in a jewel case, so it's not that old of an idea.
TheDoomer
Droid
Posted 3:41 AM 19/9/08
oh. not again...
Droid
FoxyGaz
Posted 3:32 AM 19/9/08
In Soviet Russia, you don't put game in jewel case... Game put jewel case IN YOU!
FoxyGaz
Unstop
Posted 4:06 AM 19/9/08
It's simple really piracy is so rampant in those countries they have no other choice. Games sell for a fraction of what they sell here :P.
Unstop
Kajetan
Posted 3:47 AM 19/9/08
@lordofsword:
"I don't know what they thought they were achieving with that."
It looks nice. In those days, games had value. REAL value. Today, games are just plain bits. Even the handbook is a PDF. Why should i buy that for a full price?
Kajetan
Sparky13
Posted 4:56 AM 19/9/08
@Droid: It still makes me laugh so what the hell, it's cool w/me. :)
Sparky13
MaxS
Posted 4:41 AM 19/9/08
@Unstop: And people earn a fraction of what they'd earn here, don't forget that.
MaxS
DorkimusPrime
Posted 6:07 AM 19/9/08
@FoxyGaz: In Soviet Russia, game plays you!
DorkimusPrime
GodKiller0
Posted 6:07 AM 19/9/08
Well I prefer those case to dvd ones that take too much space and waste plastic for nothing. But that's ok, we can still take what's left on earth for useless things
GodKiller0
string_theory
Posted 12:33 PM 19/9/08
I'm all for jewel-cased games. The less shelf space they use the better. I just wish the plastic wasn't so brittle.
I'm glad Blu-ray cases are smaller now, but I would have been more glad if they were as thin as slim DVD cases (0.5" thick)
string_theory
stupid_mcgee
Posted 1:09 PM 19/9/08
Not a bad idea. It should be brought to the States, too. Even though I am a print nut for especially elegant package design, some people don't care and just want the game. Jewel, Full, or Collector's Edition releases? Sounds like a pain for logistics, but could be a boon for the consumer.
stupid_mcgee
Ponyo - trying reel hard to not be a troll
Posted 1:50 PM 19/9/08
@FoxyGaz: ok, i lold (y)
Ponyo - trying reel hard to not be a troll
bornonce
Posted 3:05 PM 19/9/08
Isn't Command and Conquer:Red Alert about fighting the former Soviet Union to control Europe? Seems to me that this wouldn't be the best game to send to Russia, considering that under Putin they are becoming a bit more belligerent (and the U.S. manages to continue to prod Russia with downright stupid statements).
Note to "Condy" and McCain; don't purposely poke a sleeping bear that has nuclear weapons; he might wake up and turn on you. Such actions could lead to a fulfillment of the Mayan calendar that states the world will end on December 31, 2012, particularly since Sarah Palin said that supporting Georgia and the Ukraine for NATO membership might lead to war with Russia. And she seemed fine with that. Too bad that she isn't back in Alaska to see the Russian military aircraft that are now flying over the state that she is supposed to be governing.
bornonce
Bigbobo
Posted 3:15 PM 19/9/08
When I went to Latvia UT3 was in a jewel case (not to mention being in Russian). So I assume its nothing new.
Bigbobo