Since the infernal pandemic began ravaging economies worldwide, it seems no one, including gamers, can catch a break. Valve Corporation’s recent decision to transition Steam’s pricing to U.S. dollars in Argentina and Turkey has led to an unprecedented surge in game costs, leaving many gamers in a state of disbelief and frustration.
The decision to change the currency and move away from the Turkish lira and Argentine peso is a direct response to the ongoing economic instability and high inflation rates in the said nations. As a result, the prices of games on Steam have experienced astronomical increases, in some instances soaring by up to 4298%. Don’t believe us? Then check out this chart compiled by Twitter user @LegonTW detailing the harsh reality of new Steam prices in these regions.
For context, consider the plight of an Argentine gamer who, just a day before the change, spent approximately 46,000 pesos (around $110) on Steam games. Under the new pricing regime, the same collection of games would cost a ridiculous 701,000 pesos, equivalent to about $2000.
Similarly, a Turkish player recounted spending just over two thousand liras (about $70) on numerous titles. Now, the price for a single game, such as Psychonauts 2, has escalated to nearly 1,700 liras (around $60), almost the entirety of their original spending on multiple games.
This drastic change has not only caused an uproar among the affected gaming communities but has also sparked a broader discussion about the accessibility and affordability of games and other digital entertainment media. In the grand scheme of things, there’s more to Steam’s pricing dilemma than meets the eye.
In the past, the platform used region-specific pricing to offer budget-friendly gaming in places like Turkey and Argentina. Predictably, this approach also opened the door to tricks like VPN cross-region purchases, which may have played a role in the mess we’re in now.
Valve, the proprietor of Steam, has cited the volatility of local currencies and the complexities of maintaining diverse payment methods as the primary reasons for this shift. Unfortunately for gamers in these countries, it’s a tough pill to swallow, as it means that playing their favorite games might soon cost them an arm and a leg. This could lead to a mass exodus from Steam, as the affected players simply can’t keep up with these skyrocketing prices.
As of writing, Valve has not issued an official response addressing the legitimate concerns that have been raised. Still, many are holding out hope that Valve will find a middle ground between respecting the economic realities of these regions and preserving its global pricing structure.
Whatever resolution Valve will come up with, it will have to be one that caters to developers who stand to be exploited by opportunists taking advantage of these volatile economies and also keeps the Steam doors open for Turkish and Argentine gamers.
