Weird pricing model for different countries

(chicHouse) #1

We all know, steam have different prices for the games depending on country we live and current currency exchange rate.
But there is something, I dont understand at all.

For me, starter pack cost 27,99 EUR

I was searching the google and found, its easy to check prices for different countries, so my random country was russia, and my jaw dropped instantly.

russian steam store and price for starter pack

their price is 499 russian roubles. I used currency converter here
http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/convert/?Amount=499&From=RUB&To=EUR

and result? 499 russians money is 7,20EUR!!

So, my question is, why I have to pay 27,99 and someone only 7.20?
thats huuuge difference.

(Faraleth) #2

The average wage in Russia is around 31,000 rubles per month. This is around $480, currently. Money is not the same everywhere in the world, so Russian stores are MUCH cheaper to compensate for their lower currency.

EDIT: US avarage wage is $4166 per month, and UK is £2208 per month. As you can see, it’s a HUGE difference.

(chicHouse) #3

I seriously doubt price model is set for average salaries.

half of eu is low cost.

(Faraleth) #4

This is set by Steam/Valve, for the most-part. Regional pricing is very much a thing.

(FireWorks) #5

and thats how all these key selling sites operate. Buy in cheap countries, sell in the high price world.

(MarsRover) #6

This is set by Steam/Valve, for the most-part. Regional pricing is very much a thing.[/quote]

Regions are set by Steam, but pricing is set by publishers. I’m in the EU2 region (central and eastern Europe), that sometimes gets slightly lower prices than EU, but often publishers set the same price in both.

You can check all the regions on sites like http://www.isthereanydeal.com - top left corner.

(chicHouse) #7

I was comparing region prices for CSGO, and as for an example, russians purchase this game for 6,50 euro, I purchased it for 10,99 EUR. If I divide 6,50/10,99*27,99 = 16,55 eur <- this should cost starter pack for russians. (and you may find many similarieties for other games too)

but they have it cheaper, only 7.20 eur.

I think, and this is only my personal opinion, there are some regions publisher favors.
(this cant be true I pay for single merc more then someone for whole starter pack)

So players, who pay more for mercs and loadouts, have to grind for credits and make missions, and someone can just purchase mercs and loadouts for realy cheap and focus for his own style of gameplay without being interrupted like play 20 rounds exe or win 16exe rounds or make 10 000 xp as aura I realy never ever used her not even from the beginning.

I own all the mercs and loadouts I need, and I spent over 100 euro if not more, so I can play any merc now and I am ignoring all the credit missions and focusing on the game, without forceplaying vasilli ( for example) just to get another 500credits or healing soemone because credits are forcing me to do.

Imagine if we all have the same chance to purchase mercs for cheap, how game will change. Everyone will play as he wish and like with his very own rota selection.

(Jostabeere) #8

And how much do they pay for 10 Elite cases? Maybe I can get a CW card through a Rubel transfer.

(MarsRover) #9

In EU2 10 Elite CW cases cost 27€

Imagine if average salary in every country was the same :wink:

(torsoreaper) #10

This is pretty common. You can go on origin.com using a proxy or vpn and get games 1/2 the price if you pretend like you’re from Ukrain or Russia

(chicHouse) #11

i believe they have 75% off our prices

(frolicsomeCrane) #12

I live in Romania, the average wage here is exactly 224.32 Euros.

Over here Steam is in euros = price of that “dlc” is 27 euros = a bit over 10% of a regular wage here.

Tbh this has more to do with steam’s pricing than any of the game devs prices.