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Datablitz, X-Play issue more conflicting statements regarding the CIDG raid. Who is correct?

Previously…

1. Statement of XPLAY regarding the Datablitz raid
2. Datablitz responds to the raid
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Hello again. Yesterday, representatives of XPLAY held an intimate round table dinner to some of the media to further explain the recent raid of Datablitz. I was not there at the dinner as it was scheduled rather last minute. I did ask their PR rep to send over a statement of what was discussed during that dinner.

Today, Datablitz also issued an additional statement clarifying some details regarding the claim of selling “unauthorized copies” of NBA 2k13 games.

I will post both responses.

To be honest, what is disturbing to me is how the police force of the CIDG determined that these goods were “pirated” as it is common knowledge to note that this truly isn’t the case especially when it comes to obtaining sealed boxes of serial keys.

As a frequent Datablitz customer I know for a fact that they have never carried “pirated” software. So often have I been browsing their shelves when oblivious parents would come in and ask whether they have pirated versions of their games OR jail broken / modified versions of the XBOX 360 or the Nintendo Wii. With the value-added features that original games can offer today (such as online play) it would be absurd for Datablitz to even want to carry pirated goods.

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Datablitz has posted their official statement regarding the raid by XPLAY

Hi readers. Here is the official reply of Datablitz regarding the recent raid of XPLAY (statement here). I would highly suggest reading BOTH of the statements and decide for yourselves. I am not an expert in legal matters so I do not have the authority to deconstruct the entire episode.

To Our Beloved Gaming Community & Friends,

Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, will be remembered as a day of infamy and shame for the gaming industry with XPlay initiating a disgraceful harassment action against DataBlitz for alleged selling of “unauthorized” stocks of NBA 2K13.

Yesterday, XPlay released an official statement listing down various details of meetings between XPlay and DataBlitz in the weeks leading to the launch of NBA 2K13. In spite of all that’s been said in their press release, they’ve conveniently omitted the most pertinent details:

1. All the meetings that took place between Xplay and DataBlitz were initiated at the request of XPlay. DataBlitz has never asked to meet with XPlay and were only asked to participate in meetings and/or to join XPlay’s so-called “marketing programs” (which are really nothing more than just glamorized parlor game events). DataBlitz participated in the meetings and “marketing programs” out of courtesy to XPlay and no such thing as “primary partnership”, whatsoever was ever discussed, offered, nor penned on paper, whatsoever.

2. Apart from just saying that they will be distributing NBA 2K13, XPlay has never indicated in any form of writing or communications whatsoever to DataBlitz that they are the exclusive distributor of the game.

3. Thirdly, and this is the most important and glaring omission in XPlay’s press release: in spite of the above, the fact is that DataBlitz still went ahead and purchased a considerable quantity of NBA 2K13 stocks from XPlay as a gesture of goodwill towards XPlay, even knowing that they are still very new to the industry of console games, without any proven track record whatsoever to speak of along this front.

However, it is the understanding of DataBlitz that XPlay is just another reseller of the game, and as we still live in a free country the last time we checked, DataBlitz reserves its right to buy stocks of the game from other sources, apart from XPlay, so long as these are legitimate, genuine, brand-new, original games, that are and always have been the hallmark of our product offerings to our customers.

DataBlitz has been in the gaming industry for over 17 years now, and our record speaks for itself, we have always maintained a pristine reputation as the one reliable source for original and genuine games at reasonable prices. From the very beginning when piracy dominated the market 17 years ago and up to this day that we have been able to steadily educate our consumers (without harassing anyone) about buying and patronizing original games and software, we have remained steadfast in our core belief of looking after the welfare of the gaming public first and foremost.

If there suddenly are now parties out there who see the vibrancy of the gaming industry as a way to profit immensely by using sham claims of being the only party that possesses “authorized” stocks (whatever that means) in order to shove overpriced games down the throats of the gaming public, this kind of modus is just against the core principles of DataBlitz and something we just cannot and will not go along with.

At the end of the day, we have the welfare of our customers at heart, not the twisted desires of these opportunists. Even if it means this will be a lonely battle, as Monday’s events have shown that we were very obviously the only one unjustly and unreasonably singled out, we shall always remain as the one beacon of light and hope for gamers everywhere and carry on the good fight to stop such forms of profiteering through harassment.

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XPLAY’s Official Statement regarding the raiding of Datablitz Stores for NBA2k13

EDIT: Datablitz has also issued a statement

You might have heard that Datablitz was raided today. Ironic right, as they have in my eyes been the bastion for what is good in the computer gaming industry. The media got it wrong and I am not surprised. According to statements, Datablitz had pirated copies of NBA2K13 which was of course, false. Datablitz does not keep pirated copies of games. Rather, these were copies that were not under the right distributorship.

We finally have an official statement from XPLAY.

I am still trying to absorb the contents of this press release as we speak. So, what do you think?

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Assassin’s Creed III is now available in Datablitz. Pricing follows

This is it — the conclusion to 5 years of work culminates and ends here. The Philippines received its copies earlier than the rest of the western world, which is historically speaking, something that’s not very strange as we tend to get copies of other games earlier. And that’s a good thing.

Assassin’s Creed III will be available on the XBOX 360, PC, PS3 and the PS Vita.

Pricing follows.

Retail Prices:
• P3,195 for Asia Collector’s Edition (PS3 & X360)
• P1,950 for PS3 (R3) – Standard Edition
• P1,795 for X360 (NTSC-J) – Standard Edition
• P1,495 for PS Vita (R3)

Note: PC copies will be released on November 23, 2012.

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Datablitz now selling PS3 Super Slim for PHP 11,150 (250GB) and PHP 11,650 (500GB)

Datablitz (add them on Facebook!) is now selling the PS3 SUPER SLIM in their retail stores. With the console still pulling in a lot of new games + the ability to play the same PS3 games on your PS Vita, there’s every reason to finally dig into Sony’s console ecosystem.

Best of all — it’s dirt cheap. There are many games to look forward to in the coming months including Playstation All Stars, Beyond, and the free to play Dust 514 over the Internet.

I got the PS3 Slim when it retailed for PHP 16,xxx and I have no regrets. Now that it’s about PHP 5,000 more affordable, I feel happy for those who are about to take the plunge into this amazing piece of work.

Pricing recap (CASH SRP)

P11,150 for PS3 Super Slim 250GB
P11,650 for PS3 Super Slim 500GB

Available Region: Asian (R3)