Exchange rates and differing cultures are a wrinkle I had never even considered.

Yeah, if exchange rates were the only thing taken into account, I'm pretty sure a lot of current videogame markets would simply cease to exist. I'm not sure if that would be a good thing or bad, but it would make quite a difference.

Over here, it's usually below exchange rates for the American price (which makes any deal above $40 kinda moot [thanks for the link, though :)]), while in Europe it's usually the exact same number as you guys, but in euros (so more expensive).

I think each official market has their price carefully crafted accordingly.

In this current climate where different platforms are talking about coexisting and allowing cross platform play, it occurred to me that each online community has its own price (Xbox Live Gold, PlayStation Plus, Steam, etc.) If these were to one day become all able to play cross platform in the same community why not unite under one service provider so that nobody is getting ripped off. (Or every one is getting ripped off?)
Why should Player A be paying more than Player B when they are playing together in the same game in the same virtual world. My trip to the Tower on PlayStation should cost the same as your trip to the tower on Xbox (communism! XD)
Exchange rates and differing cultures are a wrinkle I had never even considered.

I think each official market has their price carefully crafted accordingly.

Is it just down here or is everywhere having a shortage of Gold cards?

You can pick up a 12 month gold membership on Cdkeys.com for a $14 discount right now.

Not sure what that'll actually cost anywhere else due to exchange rate and such, but there it is.

Speaking of which, does anyone know how MS prices Gold worldwide? Do they use the exchange rates and price accordingly, or do certain areas get screwed like they do for video games in general?

Is it just down here or is everywhere having a shortage of Gold cards?

Could someone refresh my memory on what you do and don't get out of Destiny if you aren't paying for Xbox Live Gold? Of the following which are still doable without Gold:

Patrol
Story Missions
Strikes
Raids
Crucible

Thanks. :)

Patrol, tower, and story missions don't require Gold. Everything else (strikes included) does.

Patrol
Story Missions
Strikes
Raids
Crucible

Thanks. :)