To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings This should hinder the ability of using VPNs to buy games cheaper. pic.twitter.com/IozwoO6gsi — Steam Database (@SteamDB) July 29, 2020 While this might immediately look like a bit of greed from Steam, it actually goes a bit deeper than that. Regional pricing on the storefront is done so that lower-income areas can get games cheaper. Those who use VPNs (virtual private networks that let you get around geo-restrictions and, say, pretend you’re using the internet in France) have taken advantage of this in the past to get their games for extremely low prices, which, in some cases, has forced publishers to up the price of their games in those low-income countries to stop people from doing that. Most recently this happened with Horizon: Zero Dawn. After its PC release date was announced, there were loads of reports that its price across various countries was fluctuating due to people using VPNs to buy it. As reported by VG247, when Steam first opened preorders in Argentina, it cost just 539 pesos, which is only about 7 US dollars. That price then shot up to 2100 pesos overnight (which is about 30 USD). That’s a 389% price hike, and a bit unfair on actual Argentinians. Regional pricing does exist for a good reason, and while it might be frustrating for some, hopefully this will stop VPN-users from unduly taking advantage of it. It’s worth noting that using a VPN is against Steam’s terms and conditions anyway, and can earn you a ban if you’re caught using one. So, uh, if you are upset, maybe don’t complain too loudly.
