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
Its gonna spell the end for steam in europe.
btarunr if you can please keep us up to date on this? I'm betting there is more to this than just greed on Valves part. Maybe some sort of new trade tax or something.
I buy all my games from the UK anyways, stupidly cheap :pimp:
I'm not sure, just joking around....
Now could one of you guys from across the pond tell me what you pay for an Xbox360 or PS3 game? In the U.S. we average 59.99 for a console game. If you pay the same but in Euros then I know EXACTLY what happened with Valve.
The thing is console games in the U.S. were an average of 49.99 for about 10 years. Then with this "Next-gen" came out they went up 10 bucks. To me it made no sense for such a huge jack in price. Sure maybe 2 or 3 bucks for inflation but not 10.
However if you guys in Europe pay 59.99 Euros and we pay 59.99 dollars then we both are getting screwed because the manufactures are playing "fair" with the consumer. Basically we both are paying more than what the game is "worth" so that the console makers are not playing favorites with a country by keeping the prices the "same". If any of you guys know marketing or have been involved with it you know exactly what's going on.
This is assuming you pay the same sticker price only in Euros. The difference with Valve is they don't care. They set thier games at one cost and pass any duties/taxes on to the customer. They seem like the bad guys doing this but they are really just being true to the customer. This is something I can respect but its HORRIBLE marketing.
Again I dont know what prices you guys pay but if you pay the same sticker than what I said I bet holds true.
Death to Steam, and any company willing to join forces with them.
The fact that these prices might prove to be better for the rest of us, it still doesnt erase the fact that its going thru Steam.
It's just licensed piracy IMO.
Valve will probably resolve this issue by adjusting the exchange rate on Steam purchased games but it's still sad that it takes 60+ pages on their forum with threats of being reported to the EU commission to make them act. It just feels like they were going to continue gouging EU gamers until someone finally caught on. Very sad and says a lot of the industry in my opinion. :mad: