Today marks the official launch of the MMORPG Shroud of the Avatar. However, this is overshadowed by a controversial announcement to “transfer” EU players to Travian Games.
The fact that players from Russia and the Baltic States were “ceded” to the Russian publisher Black Sun was met with discontent in the SotA community.
Instead of learning from the situation, the developer studio Portalarium is now repeating this and transferring EU players to Travian Games. This bombshell was dropped just a day before the official launch of the MMORPG. Consequently, the mood among EU fans is quite sour.
This is how Richard Garriott explained his new game Shroud of the Avatar to us
A transition with consequences
The change in service means for the players:
- No more access to the US website of the game
- No more access to the Portalarium item store
- New prices for the game and items
- Own sales
- Support directly through Travian Games
Players from the EU now feel displaced. Although they still have access to the official forum, can participate in discussions, and manage their guilds outside the game, this step is met with frustration. This is partly due to the new prices of the game. Through the Portalarium shop, SotA costs $39.99. However, through the EU shop, it amounts to €39.99.
The price difference is explained by the taxes that apply in the EU even for digital purchases. However, the prices are significantly higher than a 1:1 conversion of dollars to euros plus taxes. Therefore, European players have to pay significantly more.
Those who do not switch lose access to service
Apparently, for legal reasons and due to data protection, consent is required to transfer data from Portalarium to Travian Games.
Those who do not agree here seemingly lose all claims to use the service. Anyone who does not want their data transferred to another company will no longer have access to the item store. The situation regarding already purchased items remains unclear.
What about the Telethons?
It is also unclear how the Telethons will proceed. Through these, Portalarium has been generating funds for the further development of the game every month. Viewers of the live show had to purchase something in the item shop.
But how will this work now, as the item shop cannot be used by EU players? And how does it affect taxation, as EU players now have to pay taxes for digital purchases related to the game?
Many questions remain unanswered, and this situation is harshly criticized in the forum. This now overshadows the official launch of Shroud of the Avatar today (which takes place at 5:30 PM), a crucial moment for the MMORPG.
