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Steams pricing to go regional

  • 12-12-2008 6:27pm
    #1
    Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭


    It seems Steam is currently in a beta for a new regional pricing system they are planning to introduce so you can see your games prices in euro's or if you live in the UK in pounds.

    Rock Paper Shotgun has the details here and how you can log in via web browser rather than the Steam application which still offers prices in dollars.
    http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2008/12/12/steam-goes-european-prices-go-crazy/#more-6153

    This seems particular for people in England to cause rather irratic pricing with some games going at vastly cheaper prices than the American prices. For example the Civ 3 compete pack is £19.00 cheaper.

    However in Euroland surprise surpise we seem to be getting ripped off. Nearly ever game I checked (with the exception of Bioshock which was dramatically cheaper in Euro pricing than the Ameircan price) has just had the $ sign replaced with € sign meaning instead of paying $49.99 (€37.44 before sales tax) for say GTA IV we be paying €49.99 which translates $66.71. Granted the American version has sales tax to be added but It would still would not come out anywhere near as expensive as the new European price. I will point out the game only costs €35.00 in stores here and we get discs, box and manauls for a cheaper price. The whole point of digital distrubition was to lower the cost of games but as far as I'm aware 90% of titles on steam are more expensive than retail versions as it is even before this new system was introduced, even Valves own games are dearer on Steam. Granted this is in beta and they might start changing the regional prices but if this is actually the case when it goes fully live I think I will simply boycott steam and stick to online retailers like play.com etc and perhaps other digital distrubitors that actually have lower prices.

    Its also been often speculated the reason that Atari and Ubisoft have never released there games (with the possible exception of Far Cry 2) to a European audience on steam is that they don't want to undercut their retail sales prices here. They have actually never even commented on the situation. If they finally show up on Steam after this system is fully introduced I think I will also consider boycotting those 2 developers/publishers myself.


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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Give them some time to iron it out. Steam have been generally good in the past about matching retail prices.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭Krieg


    I have always found steam pricing to be quite reasonable, so i wont be boycotting. Just quietly upset that I am technically being ripped off and still buy, meh.

    This regional pricing actually got me thinking. If I were to email a friend in the states my steam login and got him to buy the games over there which would naturally be cheaper, would it work?
    It wouldn't be the most logistical solution since you would need to sending him money afterwards and perhaps a little extra which would negate the whole thing in the first place. But maybe if you were on holiday..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,558 ✭✭✭✭dreamers75


    Overheal wrote: »
    Give them some time to iron it out. Steam have been generally good in the past about matching retail prices.


    Cheaper to buy left for dead for pc in a shop then it is on Steam.

    Steams pricing is a joke considering they getting 100% of the sale rather than the 40% they normally get from bricks and mortar sales, if they saving money it should be reflected in the price.


  • Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭Azza


    Krieg I don't think your solution would work as I know that steam lock games out by region. Buyers of The Orange Box who purchased there games on the cheap in Asia found themsleves locked out of them when they tried to run them in Europe or America.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,473 ✭✭✭✭Blazer


    Their price for Left4Dead was disgracefull.
    €48 on steam..€32 on play.com.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,558 ✭✭✭✭dreamers75


    Their price for Left4Dead was disgracefull.
    €48 on steam..€32 on play.com.


    €30 in game in liffey valley assume all others the same.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,221 ✭✭✭✭m5ex9oqjawdg2i


    dreamers75 wrote: »
    Cheaper to buy left for dead for pc in a shop then it is on Steam.

    Steams pricing is a joke considering they getting 100% of the sale rather than the 40% they normally get from bricks and mortar sales, if they saving money it should be reflected in the price.

    Since when was steam a "not for profit" organisation? They are all about the business.

    Exchanging the euro sign for the dollar sign is not good, and very little thought was put into it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 764 ✭✭✭ProjectColossus


    I usually have a lot of faith in Steam, but I was more than a little shocked to see the euro sign simply replace the dollar sign when I spotted this yesterday...

    I trust it will get sorted out in due course, it is beta after all.

    Incidently, where can you get GTA4 for 35? Is it only online?


  • Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭Azza


    Its €35 in Game both myself and a mate both our copies there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    I usually have a lot of faith in Steam, but I was more than a little shocked to see the euro sign simply replace the dollar sign when I spotted this yesterday...

    I trust it will get sorted out in due course, it is beta after all.

    Incidently, where can you get GTA4 for 35? Is it only online?
    Right, which means you can still buy in dollars. So its no panic. Check the Steam Forum and I'll sure youll find someone has mentioned the error by now.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,578 ✭✭✭Slutmonkey57b


    You're assuming it's an error and not policy. Given the way tech companies in particular are notorious for ripping off the Eurozone and Uk customers (Apple and Adobe being prime suspects) I doubt it's anything other than intentional.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,601 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    The current beta is a rip off, I have to admit.

    Show your feedback here!

    The UK'ers have their own pricing now, and many games are cheaper. Those of us using the Euro are ending up paying nearly 10% more on most transactions.

    Prices are falling in retail stores, but we have yet to see it with Steam unfortunately.
    Overheal wrote: »
    Right, which means you can still buy in dollars. So its no panic. Check the Steam Forum and I'll sure youll find someone has mentioned the error by now.

    Valve are well aware of the current pricing.;)


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,601 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    Actually I was thinking, is it even legal for Valve to offer different prices for the UK'ers and then restrict the rest of us Europeans from purchasing at those prices. I thought EU law prohibited this? Didn't Apple get in trouble over this?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 764 ✭✭✭ProjectColossus


    This has gone live, and it seems the scaremongering was bang on the money. GTA4 for example is listed at €49.99 (previously $49.99) with no option to pay in dollars instead.

    What are they thinking? I won't be using Steam for any non valve products (which used to be so convenient), and will have to very seriously consider any valve purchases in future. :(


  • Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 28,633 Mod ✭✭✭✭Shiminay


    I noticed this too when I went to get L4D - was working out around €60 via Steam and cost me €40 in the shop. Disgrace tbh. Won't be buying anything from them for a long time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    I have always been a big fan of steam, my steam games directory is well over 120 gigs. But I don't believe in their their obvious hike in prices to Euro customers since the cost of the game to them is the exact same no matter the location.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,406 ✭✭✭brianon


    I am in shock. I have bought quite a few games from steam. I thought the 1$=1€ was just a beta thing. They cannot seriously think people will continue to buy games at unjustifiably inflated prices ... especially these days !


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,342 ✭✭✭Mantel


    Remember when this sort of stuff was supposed to be cheaper bacause there where no sales people, box, manuals or media to make....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,012 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    brianon wrote: »
    I am in shock. I have bought quite a few games from steam. I thought the 1$=1€ was just a beta thing. They cannot seriously think people will continue to buy games at unjustifiably inflated prices ... especially these days !

    They do and people will. If they didn't believe it, they would not have done it.

    It's pretty funny of you think about it, in the one company that has a pretty secure drm system and constant sales of older games they still feel the need to rip off the people who buy their stuff. I think I'll look into pirating their games from now on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,406 ✭✭✭brianon


    But will people really pay that much for games on steam ? when you could buy online for the cheaper £ price. There is a massive thread on the steam forums about it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,349 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


    So is there point to Steam now?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,406 ✭✭✭brianon


    Of course. We need it for electricity production.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,601 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    Sucks that it went live with 1$=1€.

    Feedback can be given here!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,706 ✭✭✭Voodu Child


    Plenty of games are cheaper and do not have the $1=€1 conversion that the beta had. You need to look at it game by game, some are cheaper, some are the same, and some unforunately are more expensive.

    Some mentioned Left4Dead being €60+ under the beta or maybe the $ pricing. Check the site, its €45 now.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    Won't buy off them if the price is not good, simple as. Up to them what they want to do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Sucks that it went live with 1$=1€.

    Feedback can be given here!
    Done and Done.

    Dont forget level an EECB at valve while youre at it. couldnt hurt.

    try mike@valvesoftware.com and gabe@valvesoftware.com ;)

    The rest of the Valve Team: http://www.valvesoftware.com/people.html

    Just carpet bomb any of their potential corporate email addresses. Im almost certain gabe@valvesoftware.com is genuine, more than likely they go by their first names.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭wayne040576


    Mantel wrote: »
    Remember when this sort of stuff was supposed to be cheaper bacause there where no sales people, box, manuals or media to make....

    They just use do that to cut costs on their end and maximise the profits.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    thanks to the new scheme, all flatout games are now a tenner each (including UC), GRID is 30 quid, bioshock is 20 quid. But yeah, some are higher priced.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    was in gamestop today looking at the sickly pc rack and wondering why they bother. i wonder if its not a case of collusion - its almost like protectionism for the retail pc games market.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,893 ✭✭✭Davidius


    I was almost going to get a Christmas present through Steam.

    Looks like my business is going elsewhere. Down with $=€-ism.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3 Cezaris LT


    $ = €, is just a bug, it will be fixed in the next update. :D
    STEAM JUST FAILD BIG TIME


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Yeah well, I blame EA. Its their fault - they came onto steam right around the same 2 days as this issue.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,378 ✭✭✭Krieg


    I have turned around on this, I only got a proper look at the pricing there. The only way ill buy steam games now is for the cheaper older games that are difficult to get and possibly game bundles


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    I notice even over here that Prince of Persia is $39.99 in Gamestop yet $49.99 on Steam.

    I'm thinking it has more to do with the Christmas Chaos than anything else. Retailers across the country are in a full panic trying to meet their sales quotas before Jan 1. Overall sales are down 5% this year over last. sales are going on this weekend in a lot of stores for as much as 70% off. Used PS2 slim's at Gamestop have gotten slashed down to $50. Its a good time to be alive.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    Join this steam group to show your opposition to 1€ = 1$ pricing:

    http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us?action=join


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Stephen wrote: »
    Join this steam group to show your opposition to 1€ = 1$ pricing:

    http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us?action=join
    I'm sorry I couldnt hear you over the sound of my own debit card - big after christmas sale on steam: I just got me the Sands of time trilogy for 22 bucks :D

    j/k I joined, I joined.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    lets all join together and rejoice temporarily

    http://store.steampowered.com/holidaysale/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    If anyone wants to buy in Dollars, I can go dig up my paypal account. The Prince of Persia pack is too good not to buy; same with the ID Software pack. serious savings on steam.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 8,601 CMod ✭✭✭✭Sierra Oscar


    Overheal wrote: »
    If anyone wants to buy in Dollars, I can go dig up my paypal account. The Prince of Persia pack is too good not to buy; same with the ID Software pack. serious savings on steam.

    A saving of over €150 for the ID pack at the moment . . . tasty . . .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    well hey, if you can get the money into my payapal before the end of the sale, its yours. just pm me your email adress and ill send you an invoice


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  • Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭Azza


    How much is the Sands of Time Trilogy on steam?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    The SoT trilogy is $22.50 while if you get the PoP Package (New Prince of Persia and the SoT trilogy) that is currently $48.74 - a hell of a savings over Euro.

    in hindsight i feel really dumb getting the trilogy and not the package, but i'll probably be happy to wait for the price of the new one to dwindle down to the $20-30 mark in about 6 months.

    edit: Bioshock for $4.99 - is it worth it?


  • Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭Azza


    Yes Bioshock is certainly worth $5.00. I payed €49.99 when it was first released and I had few complaints.

    On the POP package, can you gift that to European players?
    The pack is not available over here but the new POP is.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    I would be amazed if steam was so draconian that it would not let me gift to a steam id just because it signs in to a european ip.

    Now when you say worth $5 - it was that bad, or it was good


  • Moderators Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭Azza


    Its a good game. Yes System Shock 2 did what Bioshock did and did it years ago but Bioshock is still a good game.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 764 ✭✭✭ProjectColossus


    Can somebody remind me how to view the price in Dollars so I can figure out how much I'm being screwed out of? (and hence if the difference is worth it)

    I reckon €5 is a pretty damn good price for Darwinnia but I'd still like to know the difference. I'm looking at the Dawn of War collection for €15 and UT3 for €10 as potentially worth it too.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    DoW Platinum should be $14.99 (sale price); DoW Everything pack (DoW + All 3 Expansions) $29.99; Darwinia $4.99

    You will have to view the steam store through a US proxy to see the dollar prices as far as I know. You will be charged euro if you have european bank details however. This can possibly be circumvented through paypal - but unlikely, as they recently opened up a European branch in the last year.

    To setup a proxy search proxy tutorial on youtube.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 17,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭cherryghost


    rainbow 6 vegas/ghost recon advanced warfighter, 7.49 each. bejeweled, 99 cent.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 764 ✭✭✭ProjectColossus


    Overheal wrote: »
    DoW Platinum should be $14.99 (sale price); DoW Everything pack (DoW + All 3 Expansions) $29.99; Darwinia $4.99

    You will have to view the steam store through a US proxy to see the dollar prices as far as I know. You will be charged euro if you have european bank details however. This can possibly be circumvented through paypal - but unlikely, as they recently opened up a European branch in the last year.

    To setup a proxy search proxy tutorial on youtube.

    Cheers for that. DoW Everything still shows as 15 euro for me (sale price) so even before the VAT that would be added to the Dollar price($30 -> €21), that's 6 euro cheaper for us! That seems to have worked out strangly in our favour. And the price difference on Darwinnia is pretty much negligible. Thanks again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Value Added Tax != Sales Tax. And Valve only adds sales tax if you live in Washington State.

    Strange DoW being cheaper. American Publisher; Canadian Developer.


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