Notification about discontinuing of the game in the Netherlands/Belgium

[Blutaar 1,904]

I got this screenshot from one of my clanmates in the discord-group of our clan; apparently this image has showed up in several other servers too as I've heard. To put it short, it mentions that it will become impossible for Dutch and Belgians to play the game after the end of 2020. After brief discussion with friends and clanmates of mine, we concluded that this image could be faked. Furthermore, it is very unlikely that the game gets to be discontinued from merely 2 countries so suddenly, especially since the European servers are settled in the Netherlands.
As I am from the Netherlands, I would be incredibly upset if this message is actually true. 

Can people confirm if this notification is actually sent by the game's staff? I especially ask for the answers from helpers of the game, but other replies are welcome too

[Spy 14,687]

Hi, I will make sure to notify you once I get an answer my self.

[FrozenRailgun 1,771]

Likely to be a false one. "....so you will have time to play for your own amusement". Doesn't sound professional enough to be a real one.

[Blutaar 1,904]

7 minutes ago, FrozenRailgun said:

Likely to be a false one. "....so you will have time to play for your own amusement". Doesn't sound professional enough to be a real one.

The message does not sound too professional indeed, in a way it feels not like something developers would have written. But since there is no proof of its authenticity, i want confirmation. 

I spend quite the amount of money last Black Friday, I will be angry if I get to know that I basically burnt that

[Spy 14,687]

A little update regarding the situation: The CM himself confirmed this is real.

[mjmj5558 2,346]

"Dear friends!"

Why would tanki say this??

[FrozenRailgun 1,771]

5 minutes ago, Spy said:

A little update regarding the situation: The CM himself confirmed this is real.

WTH???!!!

Guys, call the coffin bois.

Edited December 10, 2020 by FrozenRailgun
Here they are. Didn't add the Dutch and Belgian flags to prevent misunderstanding.

[Blutaar 1,904]

1 minute ago, Spy said:

A little update regarding the situation: The CM himself confirmed this is real.

If so, then i expect clarification on how and why this is happening, and what can I do in my position both now and after 2020

[Spy 14,687]

1 minute ago, BloodPressure said:

If so, then i expect clarification on how and why this is happening, and what can I do in my position both now and after 2020

That's completely understandable, I will keep you guys updated.

[The-Kill-Switch 96]

41 minutes ago, BloodPressure said:

If so, then i expect clarification on how and why this is happening, and what can I do in my position both now and after 2020

use a vpn perhaps 

[Tokamak 1,021]

Or they could stop the loot box system.

[ThirdOnion 4,898]

1 hour ago, Tokamak said:

Or they could stop the loot box system.

The fact that they are deciding not to remove containers suggests to me that these locales do not bring in enough revenue to justify going through the effort of removing them.

[TinBoxGunner 140]

This will kill revenue build-up in other locations too.

[Positive 1,136]

Atleast I can finish my school now and get a girlfriend.

[mjmj5558 2,346]

No official announcement has been made yet, i guess ww have to wait and see what happens... I guess tanki will find a solution.

[uno1011 7]

@Spy @BloodPressure 

Can they at least make the game in belgium and the netherlands without loot boxes, cuz i spend lots of money and thats rlly frustrating. 

[Blutaar 1,904]

I think I have a slight idea on what is happening right now: 

It has mostly to do with events regarding the game FIFA, which also offers loot-items in the form of Play-cards. As the game is playable at all ages, the advertisement of loot-items may persuade children and young people to buy these. However, young players are not familiar with the concept gambling and can pay for these items till they hit rock-bottom. With FIFA, this was especially the case. Therefore, the dutch government prohibited such loot-items in games. 

Tanki Online uses a similar structure, containers acting as loot-boxes. But since the game relies on these kind of payments, this change in governmental regulations  will have a lot of impact on the game - at the same time, EA is getting their main income from people who buy their games. 

So whats likely happening at this moment: either TO is withdrawing from the Netherlands, because they lose a big part of their potential capital; or the game is banned by the government

 

Then again, I am not fully up to date with what is actually happening. Hence, I am still waiting for a clear answer from helpers/developers

Edited December 11, 2020 by BloodPressure

[Blutaar 1,904]

16 minutes ago, uno1011 said:

@Spy @BloodPressure 

Can they at least make the game in belgium and the netherlands without loot boxes, cuz i spend lots of money and thats rlly frustrating. 

I doubt whether that would work. For one, you basically forbid players to buy in-game items - since the game offers a wide range of items that can be bought, using real currencies or tankoins (which also cost money), players are being limited in their actions in-game. If someone wants to buy a bundle or tankoins, they simply cannot do that. Secondly, Tanki will be offering a game in a country where they cannot possibly earn money from. From an economical standpoint, that is disadvantageous. 

Edited December 11, 2020 by BloodPressure
typos

[mjmj5558 2,346]

21 minutes ago, BloodPressure said:

I doubt whether that would work. For one, you basically forbid players to buy in-game items - since the game offers a wide range of items that can be bought, using real currencies or tankoins (which also cost money), players are being limited in their actions in-game. If someone wants to buy a bundle or tankoins, they simply cannot do that. Secondly, Tanki will be offering a game in a country where they cannot possibly earn money from. From an economical standpoint, that is disadvantageous. 

They can disable containers/container offers in shop. They will earn less money in those countries, but at least, they will have more online players.

[sezze100 416]

I am in the same case also , being from Belgium .

Would it be possible to play in browser , when trying to hide my location ? Do i really need vpn to keep playing ?

[tanks48 34]

I'm not sure if using a VPN is a good idea, as I've heard of people getting banned for switching ip adresses. And if your account gets banned or something else, returning it based on the IP won't be possible anymore.

But this 2 week notice is very late, it's not like they didn't know this months ago. Also, the game servers are located in Amsterdam, what are they going to do with those.

[panzerbilly_tanker 18]

Lootboxes, sort of gambling in the upmost uneasy translation for the dutch and belgium law?  I think a warning should be enough to 'protect' gamers. 

 

[sezze100 416]

1 hour ago, tanks48 said:

I'm not sure if using a VPN is a good idea, as I've heard of people getting banned for switching ip adresses. And if your account gets banned or something else, returning it based on the IP won't be possible anymore.

But this 2 week notice is very late, it's not like they didn't know this months ago. Also, the game servers are located in Amsterdam, what are they going to do with those.

Account getting banned or something else .... hmm , if i am not able to play because my IP adress is from Belgium , my account is already virtually banned and deleted . Using a VPN might not be 100% legal , but if they close that gate also , then it is finished . I will look into the vpn , and i will be looking at another game to play .

Its sad , since i got +3000h on my account , got a good working full clan , and was going for last 1 to leave the building .

[Tokamak 1,021]

Also affecting Mobile version: 

[FrozenRailgun 1,771]

4 hours ago, BloodPressure said:

It has mostly to do with events regarding the game FIFA, which also offers loot-items in the form of Play-cards. As the game is playable at all ages, the advertisement of loot-items may persuade children and young people to buy these. However, young players are not familiar with the concept gambling and can pay for these items till they hit rock-bottom. With FIFA, this was especially the case. Therefore, the Dutch government prohibited such loot-items in games. 

That really remind me about the Tanki's Mainland Chinese server for some reason.