How do worldwide releases work?

[KingdomHearts3 2,591]

With Final Fantasy 15 officially announced to be announced for a worldwide release of September 30, I just realized something about worldwide releases: I am not sure how they work. I know it's when a title releases on that day around the world, but is it when the clock strikes midnight in every time zone that it becomes midnight when it's released or is it when it's midnight in JP, they release it also in NA at 11:00 am EST and so on? Someone please explain how it is done.

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

No idea, I think the copies get shipped to stores a day or two prior to the release and on the day you can pick the game up-I doubt the retailer would sell the game early else they'd get savaged like Square did to Gamestop.

[Awesome Sauce 634]

Square releases a game on the same day all around the world

Nintendo won't release a game on the other country for 2 months, even though said game is finished

 

 

What is wrong with the gaming industry?

[MythrilMagician 6,963]

I think it just means that all countries that will sell the game will release it on the same date. Just my understanding of it. So countries like Japan and Australia would get it before most of the world.

[ZeroKitteh 397]

Square releases a game on the same day all around the world

Nintendo won't release a game on the other country for 2 months, even though said game is finished

 

Well, Square is guilty of delaying things too. I mean, think about Unchained X. It's been months now since it released in JP, but no English release yet at all. But they still continue to develop it even further in JP, meaning that the English version just needs more translations? It's going to take ages.

[ladydualwieldin 212]

I think it just means that all countries that will sell the game will release it on the same date. Just my understanding of it. So countries like Japan and Australia would get it before most of the world.

 

I believe this is the case, too. If, say, a game comes out on January 1st, then Japan would get it as soon as their clocks hit January 1st. America would get it 12 hours later once our clocks hit January 1st.

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

You know...I actually hadn't thought about that!  I mean, when I think of worldwide, it obviously means everyone in the world will get it on the same day, but I hadn't taken into account the time zones! X3  But yeah, even with time zone differences, worldwide releases are definitely on the same day!  While we might get a game that releases said way a few hours later than another country, we'd still be on the same day!

 

Or maybe, as Shinobi explained, perhaps the retailers get the games two days prior to release to have them on stock!

[Muke 32]

Dude, are you dumb? WHY DO you answer your own post.

I hope this is April Fools

[Soul_Seeker 753]

I just called myself dumb...truly this is the beginning of my descent into madness.

[sagman12PC 280]

I believe the game releases on September 30th for each region's own time zone which means regions like JP will probably get to play the game first while the U.S has to wait until 12AM EST