Steam Region-Locks All Games From Russia, Asia, South America

[MatthewG]

Dude, you really need to check your editing before going live:

As for the why, well, global currencies rise and fall in strength, that games in say Russia, when converted to the local currency, can be considerably cheaper than games in the USA. There's also the matter of censored or banned games, which players in unaffected regions can trade in.

Anyway, according to some reddit sleuths [http://www.reddit.com/r/SteamGameSwap/comments/2pj8zj/psa_all_gifts_are_now_regionlocked_if_bought_in/], Valve went ahead and took that AllowCrossRegionTradingAndGifting and turned it on for every game in the affected regions.

 

[Rozalia1]

Gabe quote? Gabe marks? I'm not exactly following you here, neither do I know which quote you're referring too.

This is still bullshit though, I already gave my thought on the matter but yea, region locking digital media is utter nonsense.

Means they mark for Gabe Newell, big fans of his shall we say if we put it in simple terms.

"We think there is a fundamental misconception about piracy. Piracy is almost always a service problem and not a pricing problem," he said. "If a pirate offers a product anywhere in the world, 24 x 7, purchasable from the convenience of your personal computer, and the legal provider says the product is region-locked, will come to your country 3 months after the US release, and can only be purchased at a brick and mortar store, then the pirate's service is more valuable."

Both yours and Lunncals posts reminded me of that quote which I've seen so often used. Thought was what you were referencing.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

This is pretty clearly aimed at stopping the underground key market buying games for cheap in Russian/Indian territories and then reselling them at higher prices. It's definitely something that I'm %100 fine with Valve putting an end too, but I do agree that there should be a better solution then region locking.

I suppose as long as it stays in the commonly abused territories like Russia/Indo-Asia I'm willing to put up with it, but it really shouldn't spread to any further areas.

EDIT: I should probably note that in this case region locking actually benefits those in countries with weaker economies, as the alternative would be to raise prices in those areas.

 

[Rozalia1]

This is pretty clearly aimed at stopping the underground key market buying games for cheap in Russian/Indian territories and then reselling them at higher prices. It's definitely something that I'm %100 fine with Valve putting an end too, but I do agree that there should be a better solution then region locking.

I suppose as long as it stays in the commonly abused territories like Russia/Indo-Asia I'm willing to put up with it, but it really shouldn't spread to any further areas.

EDIT: I should probably note that in this case region locking actually benefits those in countries with weaker economies, as the alternative would be to raise prices in those areas.

First it includes more than just Indo-Asia. Second how about the alternative of just not doing it?

 

[BX3]

So the discussion is about pricing?

Wait, wait wait, I think I might've misunderstood something. I thought the reason we hated region-locking was because it kept games out of countries. That's why I hate it, anyway. If I wanna import "Obscure Japanese Moe Game That Nobody in the States Plays 2", I feel I should be able to do that without having to pay another 300+ bucks for a region-specific console. It was always my assumption that Valve's store essentially looks the same worldwide. Am I wrong? If I am, I can see why this would be such a kick in the nuts, and I agree, this sucks hard.

As it stands though, if it's just a matter of getting stuff cheaper... I... can't... say that I really see much of a problem with it. I feel like I should, but I can't. Not right now, anyway.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

First it includes more than just Indo-Asia. Second how about the alternative of just not doing it?

Yeah, I'm not sure why certain parts of South America is included in that. I haven't heard any shady reselling going on from that region, and if there is I don't think it's as big a problem as reselling in the other regions.

As for not doing it, key reselling in that way hurts Valve, is unfair to consumers, probably illegal and against Steam's TOS. I have absolutely no issue with killing off key reselling, and this level of region locking is generally better as only the key is locked and not the game (i.e. once you redeem the key in the region it was purchased, you can still play the game in other regions).

 

[shintakie10]

First it includes more than just Indo-Asia. Second how about the alternative of just not doing it?

Yeah, I'm not sure why certain parts of South America is included in that. I haven't heard any shady reselling going on from that region, and if there is I don't think it's as big a problem as reselling in the other regions.

As for not doing it, key reselling in that way hurts Valve, is unfair to consumers, probably illegal and against Steam's TOS. I have absolutely no issue with killing off key reselling, and this level of region locking is generally better as only the key is locked and not the game (i.e. once you redeem the key in the region it was purchased, you can still play the game in other regions).

It hurts Valve, but it doesn't hurt Valve nearly as much as the solution hurts the paying customer.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

It hurts Valve, but it doesn't hurt Valve nearly as much as the solution hurts the paying customer.

Does it though? The only situation I can think of where a paying customer gets hurt is if somebody moves to Russia/India/etc. and forgets to redeem their keys beforehand. Most people buy directly from Steam anyways, and people living in those areas still get the lower prices they always had.

 

[Areloch]

I know everyone is busy stroking their hate-boner for Valve right now.

But reading the article - maybe I misunderstood it - it sounds like the only thing the region lock does is prevents someone in the affected countries from gifting to another user in an unaffected country.

In other words, it doesn't stop anyone from buying games, it just restricts them from gifting out of their region.

So, maybe I'm missing something, but this doesn't sound like nearly as big of a deal as most of you people want to make it to be. If they were preventing the actual purchase of games, then absolutely, that'd be bad. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

 

[Roxas1359]

So, maybe I'm missing something, but this doesn't sound like nearly as big of a deal as most of you people want to make it to be. If they were preventing the actual purchase of games, then absolutely, that'd be bad. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

If the game is not available in that region, it means people who don't have it never have a chance of playing it now. So yes, region-locking will prevent people from playing those games and will actually just lead to more piracy because of it in the end.

 

[xPixelatedx]

Makes you wonder how many "switches they'll flip" in the future. When Gabe dies (and he will in most our lifetimes, no one with a body like that lives to be 80) I can only see things getting much worse.

Happy I'm not exclusively a PC gamer, never liked the idea of having all my games attached to a service with policies that could change to be out of my favor.

 

[gridsleep]

What ever led anyone to believe that Valve was anything other than a corporation? Meaning, they would sell their employees' internal organs on the open market if they could get away with it, just like any other corporation (see LEXX.)

 

[Rozalia1]

So the discussion is about pricing?

Wait, wait wait, I think I might've misunderstood something. I thought the reason we hated region-locking was because it kept games out of countries. That's why I hate it, anyway. If I wanna import "Obscure Japanese Moe Game That Nobody in the States Plays 2", I feel I should be able to do that without having to pay another 300+ bucks for a region-specific console. It was always my assumption that Valve's store essentially looks the same worldwide. Am I wrong? If I am, I can see why this would be such a kick in the nuts, and I agree, this sucks hard.

As it stands though, if it's just a matter of getting stuff cheaper... I... can't... say that I really see much of a problem with it. I feel like I should, but I can't. Not right now, anyway.

Developers can region lock games themselves, and if isn't in their plans than the game will never appear in that specific countries store.

Yeah, I'm not sure why certain parts of South America is included in that. I haven't heard any shady reselling going on from that region, and if there is I don't think it's as big a problem as reselling in the other regions.

As for not doing it, key reselling in that way hurts Valve, is unfair to consumers, probably illegal and against Steam's TOS. I have absolutely no issue with killing off key reselling, and this level of region locking is generally better as only the key is locked and not the game (i.e. once you redeem the key in the region it was purchased, you can still play the game in other regions).

Seems to me its a blatant "just hit everyone who isn't western" type deal. Some posters here and elsewhere raised the good point of their country in South America having the same prices as the USA... yet still being region locked. So the excuse of "well the choice is locking or raising prices" doesn't even apply for them showing that never factored into the equation.

What ever led anyone to believe that Valve was anything other than a corporation? Meaning, they would sell their employees' internal organs on the open market if they could get away with it, just like any other corporation (see LEXX.)

I could go into depth on it, compare them to CM Punk marks or something... but to keep it brief the reason is platform wars. Certain individuals see Valve as their platform holder essentially and so fight on in the "war" with zeal.
All very odd if you ask me.

 

[Phrozenflame500]

Developers can region lock games themselves, and if isn't in their plans than the game will never appear in that specific countries store.

This has always been the case though. This current change is solely for the tradability of game keys, the storefront has otherwise remains the same as it was before.

Seems to me its a blatant "just hit everyone who isn't western" type deal. Some posters here and elsewhere raised the good point of their country in South America having the same prices as the USA... yet still being region locked. So the excuse of "well the choice is locking or raising prices" doesn't even apply for them showing that never factored into the equation.

I agree with this actually, I don't know why South American stores would be trade region-locked if they use US$ as it would be the same price either way. I'm not familiar with the South American stores though.

 

[Rozalia1]

This has always been the case though. This current change is solely for the tradability of game keys, the storefront has otherwise remains the same as it was before.

You've taken that out of context. I wasn't saying that was a new thing, merely replying to someone on their question regarding the store being the same world wide.

I agree with this actually, I don't know why South American stores would be trade region-locked if they use US$ as it would be the same price either way. I'm not familiar with the South American stores though.

Not South American, but going by what I've read it seems Brazil (escapes me if there are others) have been given lowered prices but the rest hasn't. So if we use the Russian thing as an excuse than locking Brazil seems logical, but the rest unfair.

Edit: Reading comments elsewhere it seems to indeed be just Brazil. As you can imagine buying games for the rest isn't exactly cheap and now they have the region lock to deal with. No defending that really for those who want to.

 

[Signa]

I won't say this doesn't suck, but I understand it and accept it. This is why we even have region locking in the first place. It's not for artificial reasons like what Nintendo does. If the local basic unit of currency was worth the same everywhere, then this would be pointless, but that's not how things are.

 

[Rozalia1]

I won't say this doesn't suck, but I understand it and accept it. This is why we even have region locking in the first place. It's not for artificial reasons like what Nintendo does. If the local basic unit of currency was worth the same everywhere, then this would be pointless, but that's not how things are.

So its artificial for Nintendo, but Valve region locking areas even if they use US prices is just dandy? Okay mate.

Though now that you mention it... could this be the seeds for a Sony & Microsoft vs Nintendo & Valve program to kill time towards the biggest event of the year? Sure will be a lot of pins Valve is going to eat if so as we all know Nintendo have used politics to keep themselves strong for decades. Than again maybe we could be looking at the spark that turns Microsoft face.

Yeah I know creative is a bunch of idiots so they'll mess it up, but book it right and you could get a good Microsoft-Valve feud. I've been saying for a while now that Microsoft is floundering as a heel and needs to be turned face badly.
I'm not the type of guy whose solution to all problems is "turn him face/heel", but when it comes to this specific issue that is exactly what is needed.

 

[Signa]

I won't say this doesn't suck, but I understand it and accept it. This is why we even have region locking in the first place. It's not for artificial reasons like what Nintendo does. If the local basic unit of currency was worth the same everywhere, then this would be pointless, but that's not how things are.

So its artificial for Nintendo, but Valve region locking areas even if they use US prices is just dandy? Okay mate.

Though now that you mention it... could this be the seeds for a Sony & Microsoft vs Nintendo & Valve program to kill time towards the biggest event of the year? Sure will be a lot of pins Valve is going to eat if so as we all know Nintendo have used politics to keep themselves strong for decades. Than again maybe we could be looking at the spark that turns Microsoft face.

Yeah I know creative is a bunch of idiots so they'll mess it up, but book it right and you could get a good Microsoft-Valve feud. I've been saying for a while now that Microsoft is floundering as a heel and needs to be turned face badly.
I'm not the type of guy whose solution to all problems is "turn him face/heel", but when it comes to this specific issue that is exactly what is needed.

I'm.... I'm not really sure what you're trying to say. What I meant was I can't come up with a single good reason to keep Japanese games from working on American consoles and vice versa, hence, artificial reasons. At least with Steam, they are closing a loophole that people are using for something other than its intent. I don't think it's a good thing, but I understand it, and I don't think I can rationalize why we deserve cheaper games from a different market without sounding selfish.

 

[Vigormortis]

I know everyone is busy stroking their hate-boner for Valve right now.

But reading the article - maybe I misunderstood it - it sounds like the only thing the region lock does is prevents someone in the affected countries from gifting to another user in an unaffected country.

In other words, it doesn't stop anyone from buying games, it just restricts them from gifting out of their region.

So, maybe I'm missing something, but this doesn't sound like nearly as big of a deal as most of you people want to make it to be. If they were preventing the actual purchase of games, then absolutely, that'd be bad. But it doesn't sound like that's the case.

Yeah, but you seem to be forgetting that you're on The Escapist forums.

Around here, if there's one thing that'll get a circle-jerk of hate-slogging going, it's a "Valve done a bad!" news item being blown WAY out of proportion.

Because to hell with reasoned, rational discussions and actually reading the sourced articles from the OP. There's proclamations of doom-and-gloom and thinly-veiled insults to be thrown around!

If the game is not available in that region, it means people who don't have it never have a chance of playing it now. So yes, region-locking will prevent people from playing those games and will actually just lead to more piracy because of it in the end.

Except, this isn't true. If someone in the affected regions wishes to buy a game from outside that region, or accept a gift of a game from out of that region, they can add it to their libraries and play.

This change only affects purchases made IN those regions whose intent is to be gifted to others outside that region. Or, in a more specific case, games purchased in those regions via a proxy.

Any game being region-locked in a way that precludes it being sold in certain regions is a different matter all together and isn't covered in this recent change.

I really wish people actually took the time to read the sources in the OP. It would quell SO much of the anger in the comments section.

Not all, mind you. There's still a few things to be upset about with this change. But much of the anger is unwarranted, given the actual circumstances of the change.