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[Wiktor]

So sites like AliExpress and Chinese sellers of physical goods on eBay shouldn't sell items worldwide then?

Excuse me... are you saying that a price of new game in the store is 50 mln dollars? Becuase otherwise your comparision makes no sense. With physical object each copy is profitable. With games it's not. You're paying for data and paying only petite fraction of production cost. The only way this works is if enough peopl buy it at enough high price.

I never expected to hear so much bullshit about the loss of a legitimate use of free trade across borders but here we are.

Many countries offer big rabate tickets and free products to their poorest ciitizens. I guess using your logic you deserve all those price cuts and products too? Despite not being dirt poor/

 

[LiquidMetal14]

This has become more prolific ever since retail games went to 60 US dollars. That's a lot of money and the fact that most digital sellers don't lower the prices for digital vs rico physical box copies, that's a big reason why a lot of people including myself want to find a discount that is legitimate somewhere else.

This really won't stunt normal buying habits as there is some good deals going on all the time but if there is a GOG version of something like The Witcher 3, I'm going to be buying it from my good friend in the buy, sell, trade thread.

I haven't spent $60 on a new PC game yet and that's not going to start now because going digital should not be as expensive as physical retail.

 

[Starfish_Oxide]

Remember only companies and conglomerates can benefit from globalization.

 

[Wiktor]

Just how many filthy rich morally degenerate Westerns do you believe were exploiting this kindness for it to trigger the blocking of trading?

Apparently enough to make a dent. But why you should you worry about potentially screwing over milllions of poor people when you can get couple dollars rabate on Steam game.

 

[Mr. Luchador]

Apparently enough to make a dent. But why you should you worry about potentially screwing over milllions of poor people when you can get couple dollars rabate on Steam game.

Of course not, I'm a Rich Westerner the World is but my Oyster. Now, excuse me while I travel around the globe in my Steam Airship.

 

[Mugatu]

Good - some of this crap was getting out of hand.

 

[ebullientprism]

They already do offer regional pricing, at least for their own games.

No they really dont. Regional currency is not Regional pricing.

The Indian Origin store when it launched had price parity with their physical games. ~20$ or thereabouts. Which is a reasonable price for someone in India considering the economy and the average urban middle class persons earnings.

Then everyone wised up to that immediately started exploiting it. Origin in response jacked the prices up to international levels. Their physical games were price hiked too since those could be activated on Origin.

In a matter of months gaming population for EA games locally pretty much dried up from what it used to be. Just so that people who can afford to pay 60$ could save 20-30 by exploiting loopholes.

I hope if Origin does this they can go back to a more reasonable price range. I doubt it but there is a possibility.

Steam has no regional pricing here. If locking down games lets them do that, I am all for it.

 

[AzureSkies]

late into the thread:

Does this apply to gifting from the UK to Canada?

just curious, because I gift quite a lot to my friends.

 

[Prophet Steve]

late into the thread:

Does this apply to gifting from the UK to Canada?

just curious, because I gift quite a lot to my friends.

Nope.

 

[Moral Panic]

My main problem is that they don't even give you an option to buy a region free copy. Most russians/brazillians cant afford western prices, but what about the ones that can? Why are they locked out of the game gifting too?

 

[Prophet Steve]

My main problem is that they don't even give you an option to buy a region free copy. Most russians/brazillians cant afford western prices, but what about the ones that can? Why are they locked out of the game gifting too?

I can't imagine that there were many people in those countries who wanted the games out of the more expensive countries.

I don't think there is any difference in the versions. Maybe something happens if you would move to a different country, but I think the only problem is with redeeming the keys.

 

[Corto]

If retail keys are not affected this will only bring business for the grey market key reseller sites.

 

[Shengar]

Apparently enough to make a dent. But why you should you worry about potentially screwing over milllions of poor people when you can get couple dollars rabate on Steam game.

I get your point, but using word "poor" isn't going to help because those people aren't considered "poor" in their own country. Proportionally priced is much better to expressed it because it's average income that comes into the equation, not just a straight number. You can said that average Indonesian is poor because we only make barely $300-$400 a month, but when you can feed yourself for a day with just $0.5, those are a lot of money.

 

[Brazil]

I'm so ok with this.

People abusing the system would eventually fuck things up for us.

 

[10k]

This is punishment for those who bought cheap Russian keys off site I guess?

 

[fwpx]

Pouring one out for all the BST sellers.

 

[Sentenza]

Good. Publishers lower the local prices because people in those markets are much poorer and couldn't afford them any other way. For rich westerners to exploit that is just lame.

Unless it's different in other countries. I know that at least in Russia the prices are lower.

I'm sorry but, beside finding your point bullshit in general, aren't you the same one who constantly whined about Steam prices being incredibly unfair for him?

If you have a gaming pc in america you're still likely to be very rich compared to russian gamer.

...And not everyone affected by this lives in America, in case you are missing the detail.

 

[OrangeOak]

Will it affect games that are already in someones inventory?
I am curious because there is a lot of people with LLCs here in poland and they are buying hundreds of games and they are reselling them on biggest polish auction site.I wonder if they will lose that money.
On the other hand nothing stops them from selling it with "need vpn to activate" note like they do it with newest releases.

 

[JaseC]

Will it affect games that are already in someones inventory?

No, it wasn't retroactive.

 

[Stop It]

Excuse me... are you saying that a price of new game in the store is 50 mln dollars? Becuase otherwise your comparision makes no sense. With physical object each copy is profitable. With games it's not. You're paying for data and paying only petite fraction of production cost. The only way this works is if enough peopl buy it at enough high price.


Many countries offer big rabate tickets and free products to their poorest ciitizens. I guess using your logic you deserve all those price cuts and products too? Despite not being dirt poor/

Factually incorrect. Data doesn't cost anything, it's just code after all. Every sale results in money to the publishers, there is no such thing as unit profits to them just the requirement to sell more copies as you say. Local pricing is exploiting consumers whether you benefit or not.

Personally I usually pay more for games that are not trade locked as I buy them at release like with FF XIII recently etc. If not I'll wait for sales and give the publishers even less. A massive win there eh?

Also, rich countries give their citizens tax breaks too and if I moved to another country and paid my dues, I'd expect the same treatment there as anyone else. I believe in free trade for all, not just corporations.

 

[Wiktor]

I get your point, but using word "poor" isn't going to help because those people aren't considered "poor" in their own country. Proportionally priced is much better to expressed it because it's average income that comes into the equation, not just a straight number. You can said that average Indonesian is poor because we only make barely $300-$400 a month, but when you can feed yourself for a day with just $0.5, those are a lot of money.

But you can feed yourself solely because you aren't forced to pay american prices for everything. If you did you wouldn't even count as poor. You would be starving and homeless.

And are you telling me that people who earn minimal vage or a bit a above that in Indonesia don't consider their country poor compared to wealthy western nation? Objectively they are poor. The only reason why they can survive and even prosper is because of localized prices.

 

[Stop It]

I get your point, but using word "poor" isn't going to help because those people aren't considered "poor" in their own country. Proportionally priced is much better to expressed it because it's average income that comes into the equation, not just a straight number. You can said that average Indonesian is poor because we only make barely $300-$400 a month, but when you can feed yourself for a day with just $0.5, those are a lot of money.

Purchasing Power Parity, how does it work.

 

[Ethical Hedonism]

I don't get what all the fuss is about, I live in Brazil and I can't remember when my last Steam purchase wasn't region locked. This has been happening for quite some time now.

Maybe now it is store-wide? aka all of the indie games being compulsory region-locked.

 

[Arksy]

Does this apply to steamworks games...or just game's bought on the steam client?

 

[JaseC]

Does this apply to steamworks games...or just game's bought on the steam client?

The latter.

 

[Stop It]

But you can feed yourself solely because you aren't forced to pay american prices for everything. If you did you wouldn't even count as poor. You would be starving and homeless.

And are you telling me that people who earn minimal vage or a bit a above that in Indonesia don't consider their country poor compared to wealthy western nation? Objectively they are poor. The only reason why they can survive and even prosper is because of localized prices.

And guess what, companies exploit that all the time. Why do you think your computer parts are made in Thailand or the Philippines for example, or why Ubisoft employee thousands in China? They buy cheap, and use that price advantage to save money then charge what they like as dictated by the market. If you do not see that you're defending companies for doing exactly what you condemn then I don't know what to tell you.

American companies buy goods and services for poor countries prices then charge American prices back home and pocket the difference. What right do they have to do this that we as people should be denied?

 

[Wiktor]

Data doesn't cost anything,

No, but it's production costs a lot

Every sale results in money to the publishers

But not every sale results in profit

Local pricing is exploiting consumers whether you benefit or not.

No, it's not. Not when the local pricing results in lowering the prices for poorer countries. What's next? You're going to complain about charities giving money to people who need it? Are they exploiting you just because you don't get your cut? Or maybe go and complain about all the stores that have employees discounts.

. I believe in free trade for all, not just corporations.

Yeah...free trade that completely fucks over poorer countries. So noble. But hey...why should they not be forced to pay the same you do despite earning a fraction of your salary.

When you move to that country and earn local salary you will be free to buy those games at lower prices.

 

[Dr. Buni]

So does that mean I can't be gifted games from US/Canadian friends anymore? Damn.

 

[OrangeOak]

No, it wasn't retroactive.

Thank you

 

[HariKari]

What right do they have to do this that we as people should be denied?

You dodged me earlier - are games made with dirt cheap sweatshop labor in overseas factories? Movies? Music?

Why do you feel entitled to pricing that is specifically lower in many markets to help those consumers have a realistic shot at buying games? Because Apple builds iPhones overseas?

 

[Wiktor]

What right do they have to do this that we as people should be denied?

You just don't get it. I guess that's the nice thing about being privileged. Companies will always get their due. The only reason why local distributors could convince them to lower their prices is because they could promise it will be contained to their own country.

Look couple posts up to example of EA in India. That's what happens when you can't have lower prices solely for citizens of specific countries. When company decides to unify it's pricing it picks up the high variant as default.

So by demanding same prices across the world you will only end up denying poorer people opportunity to buy cheaper.

 

[ClosingADoor]

And guess what, companies exploit that all the time. Why do you think your computer parts are made in Thailand or the Philippines for example, or why Ubisoft employee thousands in China? They buy cheap, and use that price advantage to save money then charge what they like as dictated by the market. If you do not see that you're defending companies for doing exactly what you condemn then I don't know what to tell you.

American companies buy goods and services for poor countries prices then charge American prices back home and pocket the difference. What right do they have to do this that we as people should be denied?

Nothing you have a right to is denied. A store can offer you products for the prices they want. Either you think it is worth the money and get it, or buy something else.

Production in other countries is not comparable at all to you buying a game for cheap from the comfort of your home.

 

[JaseC]

So does that mean I can't be gifted games from US/Canadian friends anymore? Damn.

No.

 

[Hamster Plugin]

How often has this subject been discussed already?

US prices don't include VAT, Euro prices include VAT. Of course US prices will be 18-20% lower than European prices.

It's not a coincidence that the Call of Duty is 19.75% cheaper in the US, that's roughly the VAT difference. Americans still pay VAT, but since it's different for each state, prices will vary. That's why VAT is never included in US prices.

Then why is the UK so much cheaper too? They pay VAT as well, 20% to be exact.

 

[Kuga]

Can't say I'm happy about this move (or any new policy that hurts consumers). The ruble devaluation is serious enough that some companies are no longer doing business in Russia. Valve was probably facing some serious pressure from publishers over gifting too. Oh well; sucks for the people who exploited the system to get cheaper games.

 

[Stop It]

No, but it's production costs a lot

But not every sale results in profit


Yeah...free trade that completely fucks over poorer countries. So noble. But hey...why should they not be forced to pay the same you do despite earning a fraction of your salary.

When you move to that country and earn local salary you will be free to buy those games at lower prices.

Wow, I take it you only buy products manufactured in your country then?

Every time you buy something manufactured in a "poor" country, you're paying that countryman, manufacture and trader the same if not lower but buying it via a global company as you would by going to them directly? The only difference is the profit margins to the company not the source.

By removing the right of free trade, you actually reduce the opportunity of people to make money in developing markets. Please look up protectionism and how your argument has been used and twisted by politicians since time immemorial to enact tariffs to protect their interests against competitors being able to be cheaper. It's short sighted views like this that has caused trade wars and actual conflict and why the WTO exists. Your arguments can apply to everything and to listen to them would result in borders closed to all trade. Please realize what you're saying.

 

[Burgess_101]

Then why is the UK so much cheaper too? They pay VAT as well, 20% to be exact.

Because we don't fuck around when it comes to pricing, we all love our bargains. This country is higly competitive when it comes to pricing and I love it. Since moving to Germany I haven't seen one buy one get one free deal, I even saw a massive 3% discount one time and they were shouting from the rooftops about it.

 

[Stop It]

Nothing you have a right to is denied. A store can offer you products for the prices they want. Either you think it is worth the money and get it, or buy something else.

Production in other countries is not comparable at all to you buying a game for cheap from the comfort of your home.

What about the right to trade? I can buy commodities from all over the world from my desk. Ease of trade is irrelevant. The right to sell what is legally yours without restriction is being denied to people here.

 

[Faabulous]

I'm sorry guys, but as a brazillian, if this is what it takes for brazillian prices to not go up, I'm totally ok with that. If I had to pay US equivalent price for full priced (140R$ instead of about 80R$, this is what I paid for DA:I, and 140 was the price at US Origin), I'd just be unable to buy games.
I know what you're thinking "but games aren't essential, if you can't pay for them, you can't", which is fair enough, but I'm pretty sure the companies still want this market even if the people can't afford it at full price so they give us these concessions which allow us to go legit. I see nothing wrong with blocking people who exploit that.

 

[warheat]

You just don't get it. I guess that's the nice thing about being privileged. Companies will always get their due. The only reason why local distributors could convince them to lower their prices is because they could promise it will be contained to their own country.

Look couple posts up to example of EA in India. That's what happens when you can't have lower prices solely for citizens of specific countries. When company decides to unify it's pricing it picks up the high variant as default.

So by demanding same prices across the world you will only end up denying poorer people opportunity to buy cheaper.

But guess what, companies exploit this all the time. See how many rich company outsource their job (software development, factory, etc) to country like India or China.

 

[firehawk12]

This is unfortunate. I will say that I bought more games than I would have without access to the traders, meaning I'll just be buying fewer games in the long term.

 

[Harlock]

It all depends on how Valve can get the local prices low, besides the local currency value to dollar. It works well for games from smaller. Activision, EA and Ubisoft don't play that nice in your respective on-line stores.

 

[Tiu Neo]

I'm sorry guys, but as a brazillian, if this is what it takes for brazillian prices to not go up, I'm totally ok with that. If I had to pay US equivalent price for full priced (140R$ instead of about 80R$, this is what I paid for DA:I, and 140 was the price at US Origin), I'd just be unable to buy games.
I know what you're thinking "but games aren't essential, if you can't pay for them, you can't", which is fair enough, but I'm pretty sure the companies still want this market even if the people can't afford it at full price so they give us these concessions which allow us to go legit. I see nothing wrong with blocking people who exploit that.

Or, to be a bit more blunt... If I was paid the same salaries, and paid the same taxes as someone on the USA, for example, I woudln't mind paying their prices for games. However, we get paid less, pay more taxes AND normally pay higher prices for commodities. Steam is the exception to that.

If this is what is needed for us to get this rare cheaper commodity, I don't mind them being region locked for activation.

Fuck, before the Real value dropped to hell, we paid almost double the US price for console games, and 2-3x the value for official consoles.

 

[Kosma]

Because we don't fuck around when it comes to pricing, we all love our bargains. This country is higly competitive when it comes to pricing and I love it. Since moving to Germany I haven't seen one buy one get one free deal, I even saw a massive 3% discount one time and they were shouting from the rooftops about it.

I think its more like poor countries that get lower prices.

Thats why UK and US get great deals while many Euro countries don't, because or minimum living standard is much higher.

If you pay peanuts you get monkeys goes many ways.

A McDonalds worker in the US has to be able to afford an Xbox on 5 bucks and hour, same worker here gets 15. If you are happy that your country has MAD DEALZ please realize this is keeping you poor too. If Target in the US is giving away stuff for nothing, then they can't pay they workers either, vicious cycle.

 

[el87]

I posted a while ago about Russian PSN, so I figured out where my problem was getting the prices in rubles.

I can confirm the prices on Russian PSN are still in rubles.

If there is a way, I think at this point it makes sense opening a Russian PSN account for your purchases. You'll need to get a Russian payment card though.

GTA5
€37.77
$47.21

DA: Inquisition
€35.41
$44.26

Far Cry 4
€30,69
$38.36

The Evil Within
€17.70
$22.12

 

[ClosingADoor]

What about the right to trade? I can buy commodities from all over the world from my desk. Ease of trade is irrelevant. The right to sell what is legally yours without restriction is being denied to people here.

Your right to trade is in no way being denied to you. One store decided to update its policy. The store has every right to do so.

A store in Russia can deny your business also if they don't want to sent you a product, just like Valve can deny you buying something from their Russian store. Nothing is 'legally yours.' I don't even know what you would mean by that.

Would you say every store in the world is obliged to sent their products overseas if you ask it of them? Because that is basically what you are asking for.

 

[HariKari]

Or, to be a bit more blunt... If I was paid the same salaries, and paid the same taxes as someone on the USA, for example, I woudln't mind paying their prices for games. However, we get paid less, pay more taxes AND normally pay higher prices for commodities. Steam is the exception to that.

Which is a good thing, and was the entire point of Steam in the first place. The advancement of PC gaming owes a lot to the convenience/availability of digital downloads, including regional pricing.

A handful of unreasonable people have a problem with this because they believe Valve has an imaginary moral or legal obligation to provide them access to your cheap prices, just because.

I bought BF4 using the Mexico loophole. Worked out great, considering how bad that game was at launch. But I'm not about to sit here and pretend like it's a god given right, or that not allowing me to use that loophole violates some sacred economic principle. The loophole only existed in the first place because other gamers in different territories were benefiting from regional pricing.

I don't get why people are so eager to set back PC gaming ten years or so.

Would you say every store in the world is obliged to sent their products overseas if you ask it of them? Because that is basically what you are asking for.

His argument is terrible and doesn't apply to digital products. Don't humor it.

 

[Sentenza]

I think its more like poor countries that get lower prices.

Thats why UK and US get great deals while many Euro countries don't, because or minimum living standard is much higher.

But that's the thing: it isn't.

 

[Kosma]

It isn't? Please tell me more how US UK minimum wage people have it better then here.

They simply don't.

Living on a minimum wage in the UK is silly, you get like 14k quid a year. Good luck buying a house or having a family on that shit. Same goes for US. Your kids couldnt never go to college.

Meanwhile here even on minimum wage your kids will go to university and will have decent healthcare.

 

[Wiktor]

By removing the right of free trade, you actually reduce the opportunity of people to make money in developing markets. Please look up protectionism and how your argument has been used and twisted by politicians since time immemorial to enact tariffs to protect their interests against competitors being able to be cheaper. It's short sighted views like this that has caused trade wars and actual conflict and why the WTO exists. Your arguments can apply to everything and to listen to them would result in borders closed to all trade. Please realize what you're saying.

Those companies are lowering the prices in poor counties to levels unsustainable worlwide, not hiking them up in richer countries.
Bassicaly you're sittin comfortably in your own rich country and whining some poor sod somewhere is able to buy it cheaper than you are.
Oh...well... fortunatelly for me and other people who weren't lucky to be born in one of the wealthiest nations on Earth the laws allow regional pricing. So while you might feel it's pure torture that somebody somewhere might be paying less than you for a game I guess you will just have to learn to live with it. Use those thousands of dollars you earn to wipe your tears