Friday, December 19th 2008
Valve Inflicts European Gamers with $1 = €1 Equation
At the time of preparing this report, US $1.42 makes a Euro. Here's what Valve seems to be pricing its games and those of its affiliates on the Steam platform as: $1 = €1, ignoring exchange rates, meaning that if a product costs say $20 on Steam, you will be charged €20 (approximately $27.86), if you are buying from the EU. Several game titles have been priced in this fashion. Call of Duty 4, priced at US $49.99 ($59.4 after applicable taxes) is tagged at €49,99 ($70 before applicable taxes).
In reaction to this, disgruntled European gamers have started protesting this move by Valve on online forums, an example of which can be found on Valve's own Steam Users' Forums. Also found on the same board is a user group named 1€ ≠ 1$. Certain groups have even started reporting this to the European Commission Consumer Cell. The gamers allege that they have been given a largely unfair pricing scheme with products on the Steam platform, that violates trade laws. The Steam platform serves gamers from around the world with a common platform to purchase games, and coordinates multiplayer gaming and updates. An unhappy consumer base from one of the largest markets in the world could certainly impact on its revenues.
Source:
Tweakers.net
In reaction to this, disgruntled European gamers have started protesting this move by Valve on online forums, an example of which can be found on Valve's own Steam Users' Forums. Also found on the same board is a user group named 1€ ≠ 1$. Certain groups have even started reporting this to the European Commission Consumer Cell. The gamers allege that they have been given a largely unfair pricing scheme with products on the Steam platform, that violates trade laws. The Steam platform serves gamers from around the world with a common platform to purchase games, and coordinates multiplayer gaming and updates. An unhappy consumer base from one of the largest markets in the world could certainly impact on its revenues.
196 Comments on Valve Inflicts European Gamers with $1 = €1 Equation
This greed wil just shrink the market for them.
if it was euro = Us dollar the US would be crying now
now US got lower prices and EU got overrated prices
USD to PLN is 1USD = 3PLN. It oscillates around that.
EUR to PLN is 1EUR = 4PLN.
Retail price here for GTA IV is 150PLN so its reasonable. Amazon lists it for 49,99USD. Then when I logon to Steam I see 49,99EUR.
The actual price for game is universal and leaflet, manual, CD or DVD is considerably smaller to cost to the cost of developing the game.
Valve = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Also as ive been reading this thread ive seen some pretty disrespectful posts from members :shadedshu, there is no reason to flame each other if you need to vent piss off somewhere else and do it.
And @ the buying a steam thing from another location (ie america) and using in europe...Steam have regions now. I bought the Orange box from ebay from Hong Kong when it was released. After a week of having the game, it wouldnt let me play any of the games saying:
"These products are for the asian region" or w/e. The seller contacted Valve because the games were tied to my account already and I couldnt return them to him, so valve let me have the games but said they wouldnt do it anymore for that seller if he was to sell overseas again.
UKEU to get the cheaper pricing. (edited cuz I got 'em backwards the first time)Well, that shot my plan down pretty effectively. I guess cheapest option is to order the boxed retail games off amazon or something.www.steamfriends.com/news/3635/prices-steam-euros
I cant wait the day US will pay the same cash for stuff as we do and teh crying will start.
But the day is comming soon :)