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Author
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Topic: Expedition in Europe ... delayed or canceled
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Michel
Member # 286
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posted September 19, 2002 04:15 AM
Nintendo Europe confirmed by phone today that :
- they will not authorize the sale of Expedition cards in Europe until the GBA reader is on sale because 'the cards have an utility if the reader is available only' and it is a Nintendo marketing decision
- the decision of putting the reader on the European market or not is still in discussion
- if the decision is taken, the reader (and Expedition, like the other new sets) will not be available before April 2003 anyway
The fact that the OK of Nintendo is needed before the release of the set has been confirmed by the Belgian Pokemon cards distributor.
Conclusion for our game in Europe :
if nothing changes, and if these information are correct (the source seems to be very good anyway ![[Smile]](../tcg/smile.gif) ) :
- we will maybe never have the Expedition and other new sets in Europe
- if the reader is sold in Europe, we'll not have the new cards before April 2003 anyway
- if we may, of course, import cards from the USA, these should not be authorized in tournament play
As I said, the source is good (Nintendo European customer service).
I'm maybe very stupid, but I don't really understand the situation. Nintendo should decide alone of the future of the trading card game ? A stupid Game boy element could definitively put an end to our game in Europe ?
What's happening to our game and to us ? ![[Eek!]](../tcg/eek.gif)
I hope it's just a very bad information given to me and to the Belgian distributor by Nintendo, I really hope it's just that and nothing else ...
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Proud member of the Professor Program
Proud member of Team Europe
Judge at the Gym Challenge Rainham 2002 - Gym Challenge Antwerp 2002 - Gym Stadium Amsterdam 2002 - Worlds Seattle 2002 - GenCon UK 2002 - Gym Challenge Lucca (IT) 2002 - Gym Stadium Antwerp 2003
http://www.pokemonteambelgium.be.tf
POKEMON TEAM BELGIUM
BattleZone BRUSSELS - Belgium loves Pokemon too ! ! !
From: Brussels - Belgium | Registered: Feb 2001
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ukpokemonpro
Member # 518
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posted September 19, 2002 04:52 AM
My Distributor just told me that Exped' was delayed on Monday as they were all geared for 16th Launch too. So my pre-order has not arrived and looks like it is delayed untill Nintendo pull their finger out!!
Yet again we see Europe and the rest of the world being treated like dirt whilst the US is fine
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ukpokemonpro
"a meaningless title is just that ... meaningless"
"London Super Battlezone 2003"
quote the judge...
'only joking' on misreported match results: DQ Yep its that serious!
14,000 deck boxes yeah we'll take all of them .... what have I done!
Find the Pokemon League and Tournaments in Kent at:The Gamers Guild
From: Gillingham, Kent, UK | Registered: Feb 2001
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Dumbledore
Member # 28029
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posted September 19, 2002 05:10 AM
I just talked to my distributor and they had no news about this...they where still waiting for expedition to arrive....and haven't heard anything.....
I have no doubt that you have reliable information Michel, you seldom post anything that you haven't got good reason to believe. But this is really devastating news.... ![[Frown]](../tcg/frown.gif)
/Dumbledore
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The First Certified Professor in Sweden!
Proud member of:
Team PokéParents- we play Pokémon with our kids!
I DO NOT ACCEPT CHEATERS!
18th place in Gothenburg 15+
top16 place and lost to Evens(winner) in Copenhagen 15+.
Plays this game for FUN!
From: Sweden | Registered: Jun 2001
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Planteon
Member
Member # 49075
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posted September 19, 2002 05:19 AM
Hmmm.. is this what life will be if Nintendo gets the licence for the cards??? ![[NoNoNo]](../tcg/graemlins/nonono.gif)
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"There is only one thing money can't buy: Poverty" - John Cooper Clarke
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From: Sweden | Registered: Nov 2001
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NoPoke
Member # 42315
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posted September 19, 2002 05:45 AM
I've been trying to get a response from WotCUK.
TRYING,
\
VERY TRYING.
Even allowing for import duties it looks like it may still be cheaper to buy cases direct from the USA/Canada.
Someone somewhere HATES pokemon in Europe!
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========================================
'Good News' or 'Bad News' but NOT NO NEWS
some people brag about their tournament results, me I'm gonna brag??? about what players have managed to get past me LOL
-------Hoodwinked---(things I won't get wrong again...)------
'legal stalling' : game loss at least
'only joking' on misreported match results: DQ Yep its that serious!
The prize swap penalty as it applies to shuffling.
From: Crawley England | Registered: Sep 2001
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Planteon
Member
Member # 49075
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posted September 19, 2002 06:07 AM
For me, it normally is cheaper to buy directly from the US, but I'm an adult... The average card buyer (the majority is under 15 years according to WotC) who buys her/his cards at a local toy/game store won't get the new cards. This will mean the end of Pokémon TCG in Europe. No new cards for half a year => other card games will fill the gap and it will be really hard to re-introduce the game.
Let's hope that the cards will be made available to the Europeans despite Nintendo's wish not to allow them. ![[beholder]](http://archivedboards.wizards.com/tcg/graemlins/beholder_yellow.gif)
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"There is only one thing money can't buy: Poverty" - John Cooper Clarke
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From: Sweden | Registered: Nov 2001
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SauroN
Member # 373
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posted September 19, 2002 07:55 AM
Man...seriously. I don't think I wanna play this game anymore now. This is soooo BAD! I dunno what to say...I'm just...
sad
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The Highgrounds: One giant step for man, one giant leap for the end of humanity.
Yes! Jumpluff DOES own you!
Cursing is good for your health.
I hate it when people edit my posts ...
Number of posts edited since day 1: Lost count after 237 ...
From: Sweden | Registered: Feb 2001
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Wai-Lam
Member
Member # 99788
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posted September 19, 2002 08:15 AM
...
Dutch players would all agree with me:
GVD!
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You should not read the next sentence.
Why won't you listen?
From: Rotterdam, Holland | Registered: Aug 2002
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NoPoke
Member # 42315
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posted September 19, 2002 08:52 AM
I've phoned one of the distributors that I use....
They are going to chase WotC and see what they can uncover...
Methinks that the distribution channel will be mighty upset if we all go grey for the product!
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'Good News' or 'Bad News' but NOT NO NEWS
some people brag about their tournament results, me I'm gonna brag??? about what players have managed to get past me LOL
-------Hoodwinked---(things I won't get wrong again...)------
'legal stalling' : game loss at least
'only joking' on misreported match results: DQ Yep its that serious!
The prize swap penalty as it applies to shuffling.
From: Crawley England | Registered: Sep 2001
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Michel
Member # 286
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posted September 19, 2002 08:54 AM
I think the best thing we have to do is wait for the 'official' Wizards reaction.
I've called Wizards Europe to let them know what happened, I'm sure we'll have news soon.
What I don't understand, once again if the information given by Nintendo is correct (but it seems to be the case as it is confirmed by the Belgian distributor), is why WotC Europe didn't know that and why WotC USA didn't talk about it (if they had the information !)
We hear a lot of things about the fact that Pokemon is a 'worldwide game' and we see that Wizards try go that way.
We hear that Wizards try to release sets on the same days in the USA and in Europe, that date beeing linked with the Japanese release dates, and the 'acceleration' of the cards-e releases go that way too.
Now we could be in a situation where cards could be sold in the USA and maybe not in Europe because of a decision taken, and imposed, by another company. ![[Confused]](../tcg/confused.gif)
I do agree with the fact that a lot of players will quit the game if new sets are not released. I love the game, I have a lot of fun with it, but playing the same decks for months, without having the opportunity of playing something else is not funny anymore.
You're right when you say that boosters are cheaper if we import directly from the USA. A box sold between 125 and 140 Euro in the shops costs between 95 and 110 Euro (shipping included), or maybe less. And if you're unlucky and have to pay the import taxes, you'll never pay more than in your local shop.
It's very easy to buy in the USA, you just have to find a reliable seller.
Two remarks about it : Wizards will maybe not be very happy if we buy cards without using the European distributors/shops, and what will we do with cards that are not officially authorized in DCI sanctioned tournaments ?
I maybe shouldn't say that, but I've seen the reader, I've seen what you can have with that. A clock on the screen, cards information, a game really less developed that Pokemon mini games, a little bit of music ... maybe funny when you see it for the first time, but I'm really not sure you'll use it more than once per card.
It's just my opinion, and there will certainly be people who'll disagree with that.
The person from Nintendo I've talked with asked me if it would have been normal to sell video tapes before the reader was on sale ![[ROFL]](../tcg/graemlins/roflmao.gif)
Please don't compare video with GBA cards reader, ... and as far as I know, there are not thousands of people who were interested in video tapes for something else than watching a movie !
I can't believe that WotC will let Nintendo take the European Pokemon community in hostage for a product that doesn't concern our game. We didn't have the reader, and it has never prevent us of playing, of having fun, ... and buying cards.
I can't believe that WotC will let Nintendo prevent them of making a lot of money on a new product, or let Nintendo kill the European Pokemon market.
That's why I'm sure a solution will be quickly found
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Proud member of the Professor Program
Proud member of Team Europe
Judge at the Gym Challenge Rainham 2002 - Gym Challenge Antwerp 2002 - Gym Stadium Amsterdam 2002 - Worlds Seattle 2002 - GenCon UK 2002 - Gym Challenge Lucca (IT) 2002 - Gym Stadium Antwerp 2003
http://www.pokemonteambelgium.be.tf
POKEMON TEAM BELGIUM
BattleZone BRUSSELS - Belgium loves Pokemon too ! ! !
From: Brussels - Belgium | Registered: Feb 2001
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NoPoke
Member # 42315
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posted September 19, 2002 09:23 AM
I do hope that this isn't some ploy tied in to the license renewal.
I think that the local language and release date rules have been changed so that the moment Wizards releases a set it becomes legal for Sanctioned play. I'll see if I can find a reference. What this means is that e-card is now legal in european play regardless of our inability to buy the product locally.
[ September 19, 2002, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: NoPoke ]
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'Good News' or 'Bad News' but NOT NO NEWS
some people brag about their tournament results, me I'm gonna brag??? about what players have managed to get past me LOL
-------Hoodwinked---(things I won't get wrong again...)------
'legal stalling' : game loss at least
'only joking' on misreported match results: DQ Yep its that serious!
The prize swap penalty as it applies to shuffling.
From: Crawley England | Registered: Sep 2001
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Gengar094
Member
Member # 11307
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posted September 19, 2002 10:09 AM
My Gym Leader says it has been delayed, but only for 2 weeks. He said there was a problem with shipping the cards and that they would only have to be reordered.
I just hope he's right
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Fake Cards
Forum
Worms Armageddon Clan: SNU
From: Raamsdonksveer, Netherlands | Registered: Apr 2001
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]z[
Member
Member # 102726
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posted September 19, 2002 10:27 AM
Lol, inderdaad gvd!
anyway, I think this is just sick, and Im pretty sure this will have a bad effect on the already lousy player base in europe -_-
From: None | Registered: Aug 2002
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cedric15
Member # 12107
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posted September 19, 2002 11:47 AM
April... you must be joking ![[Mad]](../tcg/mad.gif)
That's so stupid, my store owner said two weeks delayed not 6 months, this will kill the game in Europe. I don't care fot this idiot card reader (I don't even have a GBA)... I just want the cards!
And indeed GVD.
From: belgium | Registered: Apr 2001
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Drakeo
Member # 25453
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posted September 19, 2002 12:14 PM
I'm an American in Europe right now, and I was also looking forward to the release of expedition. This is crap, especially from a company that I usually trust. The only reason they won't do it is out of greed which is very wrong. Most of the people who buy the cards won't bother with the reader one way or the other; are they really so stupid not to realize that? I certainly hope not, because it'll really spoil the game for you guys(as if it wasn't messed up enough already). Not to mention me for as long as I'm here ![[Wink]](../tcg/wink.gif) (Which could be quite some time).
Hopefully this will be fixed or I'll get ahold of Nintendo myself and tell them about it. If that doesn't work I'll e-mail them, which tends to reach higher people(not exactly executives, but at least higher guys in customer service ![[Big Grin]](../tcg/biggrin.gif) ). In my experience they're a good company which listens to consumers and tries to help them as much as possible, which is another reason that I'm so amazed by this...
*grumbles*
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~Proud Pokémon Professor, 40/50~
"Green Light" 36-6(retired 9/1/02)(used for tourneys)
"Green Light: EXP" 3-0
Winner of Del Norte HS tournament Feb 6-7(with Green Light UNL)
ICQ: 52117247
"I take that back. Being seperated from the one you truly love is worse =("
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico | Registered: Jun 2001
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Skywolf1
Member # 1448
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posted September 19, 2002 12:17 PM
Okay, I am going to get to the bottom of this. Can someone please give me telephone numbers and contacts to WotC offices in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the rest of Europe.
I would also like e-mail addresses. I am going to get to the bottom of this.
Hang in there European players, I WILL find an answer for you on this issue. Even if I have to call Europe and other entities to do so.
Please, if any one could provide me with that information, I will find something out for you all by tomorrow!
A VERY, VERY, VERY upset!
Skywolf1
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Marsh Schneidau
(aka Skywolf1)
Founder, Card Trainers International
Nevada's FIRST Master Professor
Skywolf1: JOLTEON--You practice as you perform. At first you bide your time and become very resourceful, but when the time is right and the odds are in your favor you strike full force at whatever the task might be.
Visit "Team UK's" NEW website at:
www.members.aol.com/hairyclefairy
From: Las Vegas, Nevada USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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cedric15
Member # 12107
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posted September 19, 2002 12:22 PM
Well, you can find the telephone numbers at http://www.nintendo-europe.com/
[Edit: I'm stupid, you can't speak dutch
+32(0)3-2247670, this is the phone number for things that have to do with the company]
[ September 19, 2002, 12:26 PM: Message edited by: cedric15 ]
From: belgium | Registered: Apr 2001
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adamis
Member
Member # 103826
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posted September 19, 2002 01:33 PM
what a bad new michel (i'm jf )
i don't mind for this reader...
only interested for the cards...now!
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mail me at [email protected]
[URL=http://www.adamis.fr.st[/URL] to see my fan arts
i'm a happy member of pokemon team belgium too ^^
From: belgium | Registered: Aug 2002
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sentimental_blastoise
Member # 70533
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posted September 19, 2002 01:53 PM
I really hope that this is resolved, or another painful nail is being driven into the European coffin Thanks for your continuing support for the European playing community Skywolf I would email WOTC UK, they'll probably be as in the dark as we are. Looks as though the only expedition I'll see will be the ones posted by WOTC US for the theme deck challenge at worlds..
[ September 19, 2002, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: sentimental_blastoise ]
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Random British Professor
AIM: LetLifePassUBy
MSN: [email protected]
GenCon UK 2002 Professor Champion
Rainham 15+ Challenge Champion 2002
"Besides too much of Freddy is not always a good thing - DMTM"
Love Pokemon - Hate Apprentice!
From: United Kingdom | Registered: Mar 2002
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LizardOTC
Member # 124
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posted September 19, 2002 01:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Michel:
Nintendo Europe confirmed by phone today that :
- they will not authorize the sale of Expedition cards in Europe until the GBA reader is on sale because 'the cards have an utility if the reader is available only' and it is a Nintendo marketing decision
- the decision of putting the reader on the European market or not is still in discussion
- if the decision is taken, the reader (and Expedition, like the other new sets) will not be available before April 2003 anyway
The fact that the OK of Nintendo is needed before the release of the set has been confirmed by the Belgian Pokemon cards distributor.
How very interesting.
There are several odd coincidences that come to mind:
1) WotC just experienced some fairly large layoffs.
2) Nintendo is calling the shots for the release of the E sets in Europe.
3) The stated release target if any is April 2003.
4) The WotC license to produce the TCG is set to expire in April 2003, unless renewed.
5) Nintendo has been widely reported to be interested in, or competing for, the license to produce the TCG.
*Hey everyone, LOOK AT THE WALL! I think there may be writing on it!* 
[ September 19, 2002, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: LizardOTC ]
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"No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try." -Yoda
"Sewage Portrayed As Meat...It's not just for breakfast anymore!" -LizardOTC
"Like a bad tooth and an unsteady foot is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble." - Proverbs 25:19
From: The Vast Midwestern Waste | Registered: Feb 2001
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Skywolf1
Member # 1448
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posted September 19, 2002 02:00 PM
*UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE*
About 12:30pm Pacific Daylight Time (GMT -8), I had spoken with Mr. David Hillenbrand at Pokemon USA, Inc. He is the Marketing director for Pokemon, USA Inc.
I had asked Mr. Hillenbrand about the European situation in relation to the "delayed" release of the "Expediation" set, and the e-card reader.
He DID indeed state that the Card Reader has been delayed in Europe because they (Nintendo) wants to see how the reader does in this country.
Mr. Hillenbrand DIDN'T say anything about the Expedition being delayed in Europe, and he didn't indicate that PUI had anything say in making the decision to delay the release of Expedition in Europe. He felt that this news was just "misunderstood" between players and Nintendo of Europe.
I do have a call into Gail Tilden at NOA, to get some further information on this issue.
As soon as I know, I will let you know.
Skywolf1
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Marsh Schneidau
(aka Skywolf1)
Founder, Card Trainers International
Nevada's FIRST Master Professor
Skywolf1: JOLTEON--You practice as you perform. At first you bide your time and become very resourceful, but when the time is right and the odds are in your favor you strike full force at whatever the task might be.
Visit "Team UK's" NEW website at:
www.members.aol.com/hairyclefairy
From: Las Vegas, Nevada USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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MasterMazakala
Member # 66586
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posted September 19, 2002 02:08 PM
this really really really sux!
From: Wales, UK | Registered: Feb 2002
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Michel
Member # 286
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posted September 19, 2002 04:57 PM
Thanks Skywolf, we do really appreciate your help ...
I really hope everything will be ok very soon and that Expedition will be in our European shops. I know that people already try to find boxes in the USA and, according to the information I've got today from many sources, boxes are really cheaper (could be 40 % cheaper to import it than to buy on the local market) if we have good addresses.
The set seems to be (and I know it is) great, and players are highly motivated. It's an evidence that if we find cheaper somewhere else, we'll not have any reason to pay more in our shops in the future. That could have a very bad impact on sales, distributors and shops in Europe.
Talking about 'misunderstanding', I may assure you that Nintendo Europe was very, very clear.
When someone says that the company will not authorize the release of the cards until the reader is on sale, it's very clear to me.
I've told him that I was a Pokemon card player and tournament organizer, I've been very clear about that too.
When I've said that card players and collectors were more interested in cards than in a reader, he answered that both products (Expedition and reader) were closely linked and that, even if other people are using the cards for something else than the GBA, one will not be sold without the onther anyway.
Believe me, it was absolutely impossible to misunderstand anything in the conversation I've had.
A misunderstanding inside Nintendo ? Maybe, but that's another question.
April is for one simple reason : Eastern and gifts offered to kids ![[Evil Smirk]](../tcg/graemlins/Up_to.gif)
I really don't see a link here with the licence Lizard.
So we'll have our own Modified format, ... I propose to call it 'ExpOut'
Confirmation during the chat today that the 'key date' for playing cards in DCI sanctioned tournaments is the date of release IN the country. That means that Expedition will not be allowed in our sanctioned tournaments until the set is officially released in our European countries.
Before that, we have two solutions : either play sanctioned tournaments in ExpOut, or play the US Modified format in non-sanctioned tournaments.
Seems that all the efforts made by WotC to have more tournaments and more players in OP could be very quickly reduced to nothing if players follow the second way. ![[Dubious]](../tcg/graemlins/dubious.gif)
--------------------
Proud member of the Professor Program
Proud member of Team Europe
Judge at the Gym Challenge Rainham 2002 - Gym Challenge Antwerp 2002 - Gym Stadium Amsterdam 2002 - Worlds Seattle 2002 - GenCon UK 2002 - Gym Challenge Lucca (IT) 2002 - Gym Stadium Antwerp 2003
http://www.pokemonteambelgium.be.tf
POKEMON TEAM BELGIUM
BattleZone BRUSSELS - Belgium loves Pokemon too ! ! !
From: Brussels - Belgium | Registered: Feb 2001
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Planteon
Member
Member # 49075
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posted September 20, 2002 02:02 AM
Quote: quote:
Michel
April is for one simple reason : Eastern and gifts offered to kids.
I really don't see a link here with the licence Lizard.
Michel, lots of gifts for kids at Easter must be a Belgian tradition (probably other countries as well, but not all!). In Sweden all they can expect is candy...
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"There is only one thing money can't buy: Poverty" - John Cooper Clarke
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From: Sweden | Registered: Nov 2001
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ukpokemonpro
Member # 518
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posted September 20, 2002 02:52 AM
I have just finished speaking with WotC UK who confirm that yes WotC US has delayed the UK and European Launch of Expedition as part of keeping Nintendo "sweet" ..
There is a massive campaign from the European and UK offices to reverse this..
Just think of all the people who will now order their expedition on the Grey market and what a flop any subsequent European and UK launch of Expedition will be
LIZARDOTC .. spot on I think! But it seems more a move to sooth Nintendo than anything else ..
THIS SUKZ BIG TIME
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ukpokemonpro
"a meaningless title is just that ... meaningless"
"London Super Battlezone 2003"
quote the judge...
'only joking' on misreported match results: DQ Yep its that serious!
14,000 deck boxes yeah we'll take all of them .... what have I done!
Find the Pokemon League and Tournaments in Kent at:The Gamers Guild
From: Gillingham, Kent, UK | Registered: Feb 2001
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