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.