Release times.

[bothered]

Hi all. I know this has been mentioned before but,,, When a game becomes available, what time does it happen? It seems to be some American time zone or something. Here in the UK if a game is released today we can't seem to get it until the evening. Could it not be sorted so games are released on the morning of the release day? I was looking forward for a game today then remembered I have to wait until tonight. Just a tiny bit frustrating, might have to do some housework to fill the time, you see my predicament.

[Gwarsbane]

Since its a world wide release dates all at once, and not a staggered times then no matter when its released its not going to be a convenient time for someone around the world.

Not 100% sure when actual release times are but I think its the same time as when the new sales goes up and thats 10am PST. 10am PST is a few hours after people get into the office to make sure the servers are ready and updated.

If they move it to a better time for you, someone else around the world is going to complain that its too late for them or too early for them or what ever.

And no they are not going to move to a staggered time because they don't want people to be able to get it before anyone else. Also they would have to have someone at Valve around the clock to make sure all the servers are working fine and that every location works which would cost them more money. So this is why its one time for all.

You'll either have to stay up a bit later to start the download or start playing. Or you will just have to wait till the next day to start playing it once you wake up.

Again a change might make you happy, but it will tick off people who live in other locations.

[Satoru]

Generally speaking Steam will release games at 1pm EDT/9am PDT

steam will not release games on teh weekend.

Larger publishers may decide to deviate from the normal 1pm EDT/9am PDT timeframe. That's up to them to decide. Note no matter what time you choose it is 'inconveneint' for someone.

Aka your suggestion is just 'make it more convenient for ME' not really about what is practical or makes sense. It is purely a selfish request with no regard for uesrs in other regions. ANY system will be unfair to someone somewhere for some reason.

[bothered]

Originally posted by Satoru:

Aka your suggestion is just 'make it more convenient for ME'

Not at all, I didn't mean it like that. I don't know how Valve works or where the servers are, just wondered why it couldn't be released country by country but the two explanations explain it well enough. Thanks both of you.