Announcements
Rest of World
Steam Store and localized currency for Europe and UK
We are bound to hit the mark of 10,000 members very soon! Unfortunately the sudden growth isn’t due to a positive change in fair global distribution. The current hot topic is the steam store and its new controversial localized currency conversion.
From the press release: “Products on Steam are now priced using local currency in the United Kingdom (Pounds Sterling), and Europe (Euros). All other countries remain in United States Dollars.”
http://store.steampowered.com/news/2110/
Much positive can be said about this new currency system as it’s doesn’t mislead the European Steam user by adding VAT later in the buying process and there is no more need to use a tool to see the price in the local currency.
However it seems that the new currency system also has a negative side. Multiple even. For those not informed by the multiple forum posts and news messages that spread like wildfire today we will list the negative sides:
1. The biggest problem with the new currency system is an old enemy of the Rest of World group that got even bigger.
There always was a difference in the price across the world for different games. For example: it was possible that an American paid 40 dollar all inclusive for a game. An European had to pay 50 dollar AND include VAT to that price. Fortunately due to the exchange rate Europeans paid around the same price Americans paid or maybe even less.
Now with the new currency conversion it seems that for most games 1 dollar equals 1 euro. This makes the games even more expensive then the higher dollar price with VAT added we used to have! The UK however seems to have a more positive experience with the new currency system as most prices now mimic retail prices for them.
2. European countries that do not use the Euro still have to pay in Euros. Next to that there are countries that do not have to pay VAT in their country. Yet Steam Store forces them to pay the VAT.
3. We always believed it were publishers that set the (local) prices on Steam and while we don’t know the full story, we do have this quote from the Savage 2 forum: “Steam sets the prices on it, users can still upgrade to a prime account with us for $9.99 US”.
We are glad that people are able to find their way to our group thanks to your effort linking to us in the discussions going on right now. This is most certainly one of the reasons this group exists. While originally made for localized content this group has grown to be more than just that. Soon we will hit 10,000 members that are displeased with one or more negative aspects of global distribution.
Finally we would like to link to a group and forum thread that can use your voice.
The group 1€ ≠ 1$ has been created specifically for point 1 of our announcement. It wants to show the number of people that do not like the new currency conversion of 1 euro for 1 dollar.
You can join them through the following link: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us
Much of the information in this announcement is based on the excellent thread in the Steam powered forums.
Visit it for the latest updates, examples and to voice your opinion: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770231 (remember to keep it clean, it would be a shame if that thread has to be closed).
As always, we will keep you updated with the latest news.
From the press release: “Products on Steam are now priced using local currency in the United Kingdom (Pounds Sterling), and Europe (Euros). All other countries remain in United States Dollars.”
http://store.steampowered.com/news/2110/
Much positive can be said about this new currency system as it’s doesn’t mislead the European Steam user by adding VAT later in the buying process and there is no more need to use a tool to see the price in the local currency.
However it seems that the new currency system also has a negative side. Multiple even. For those not informed by the multiple forum posts and news messages that spread like wildfire today we will list the negative sides:
1. The biggest problem with the new currency system is an old enemy of the Rest of World group that got even bigger.
There always was a difference in the price across the world for different games. For example: it was possible that an American paid 40 dollar all inclusive for a game. An European had to pay 50 dollar AND include VAT to that price. Fortunately due to the exchange rate Europeans paid around the same price Americans paid or maybe even less.
Now with the new currency conversion it seems that for most games 1 dollar equals 1 euro. This makes the games even more expensive then the higher dollar price with VAT added we used to have! The UK however seems to have a more positive experience with the new currency system as most prices now mimic retail prices for them.
2. European countries that do not use the Euro still have to pay in Euros. Next to that there are countries that do not have to pay VAT in their country. Yet Steam Store forces them to pay the VAT.
3. We always believed it were publishers that set the (local) prices on Steam and while we don’t know the full story, we do have this quote from the Savage 2 forum: “Steam sets the prices on it, users can still upgrade to a prime account with us for $9.99 US”.
We are glad that people are able to find their way to our group thanks to your effort linking to us in the discussions going on right now. This is most certainly one of the reasons this group exists. While originally made for localized content this group has grown to be more than just that. Soon we will hit 10,000 members that are displeased with one or more negative aspects of global distribution.
Finally we would like to link to a group and forum thread that can use your voice.
The group 1€ ≠ 1$ has been created specifically for point 1 of our announcement. It wants to show the number of people that do not like the new currency conversion of 1 euro for 1 dollar.
You can join them through the following link: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/1e1us
Much of the information in this announcement is based on the excellent thread in the Steam powered forums.
Visit it for the latest updates, examples and to voice your opinion: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=770231 (remember to keep it clean, it would be a shame if that thread has to be closed).
As always, we will keep you updated with the latest news.
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