Why are games so expensive!? (AUS)

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nish is gay May 18, 2017 @ 3:22am

Why are games so expensive!? (AUS)

why are games on steam so expensive, on sites like green man gaming its $50AUD and at EB Games its $68 but on steam its $70US, converted thats almost $95AUD! why is it so expensive?

Last edited by nish is gay; May 18, 2017 @ 3:24am

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Gus the Crocodile May 18, 2017 @ 3:43am

GMG's prices are in US dollars, not Australian dollars - I'm not sure if you mean you're doing a conversion to A$50 or not, just noting it in case you're not aware.

Anyway. What it always comes down to is: the prices are the way they are because that's how the publishers want them to be. If they weren't happy with the amount of sales they were getting on Steam, they'd lower the price.

BossGalaga May 18, 2017 @ 6:32am

Originally posted by Lo0p Army:
why are games on steam so expensive, on sites like green man gaming its $50AUD and at EB Games its $68 but on steam its $70US, converted thats almost $95AUD! why is it so expensive?

Thank your government and their anti-competition and consumer laws. Remember how the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) won that $3 million lawsuit against Steam? Guess who they passed those "savings" on to? Enjoy.

Seriously, though...I'm sorry but your government basically screwed you guys over.

Gus the Crocodile May 18, 2017 @ 7:18am

Originally posted by BossGalaga:
Thank your government and their anti-competition and consumer laws. Remember how the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) won that $3 million lawsuit against Steam? Guess who they passed those "savings" on to? Enjoy. :104:

Seriously, though...I'm sorry but your government basically screwed you guys over.

That case has nothing to do with it. High game prices in Australia (including on Steam specifically) are nothing new.

Also the case hasn't been finalised - Valve hasn't paid anything, and both sides have appeals in the works.

BossGalaga May 18, 2017 @ 7:31am

Originally posted by Gus the Crocodile:
Originally posted by BossGalaga:
Thank your government and their anti-competition and consumer laws. Remember how the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) won that $3 million lawsuit against Steam? Guess who they passed those "savings" on to? Enjoy.

Seriously, though...I'm sorry but your government basically screwed you guys over.
That case has nothing to do with it. High game prices in Australia (including on Steam specifically) are nothing new.

You're right...it is nothing new. Again, it's because of Australia's anti-competition and consumer laws. Australia has a high cost of living. Because of this Australian made games cost a lot of money. Because Australia wants people to buy Australian made games, they also make non-Australian games cost a lot of money.

Like you said, nothing new. So you've already answered your own question.

Last edited by BossGalaga; May 18, 2017 @ 7:33am

Gus the Crocodile May 18, 2017 @ 7:51am

I didn't ask a question.

And no, we don't "make non-Australian games cost a lot of money". The closest thing to that idea might be parallel import restrictions, but a) they don't apply to software bought online and b) they don't explain the price difference anyway.

There was a Standing Committee inquiry into IT pricing in Australia a while back, and they basically concluded that while there are some increased costs involved in doing business in Australia, even if you take them all together (which isn't sensible for most products, so it's just for argument's sake), it still doesn't account for the differences we see. Which means that ultimately, publishers are charging it because we're paying it.

BossGalaga May 18, 2017 @ 9:17am

Originally posted by Gus the Crocodile:
I didn't ask a question.

And no, we don't "make non-Australian games cost a lot of money". The closest thing to that idea might be parallel import restrictions, but a) they don't apply to software bought online and b) they don't explain the price difference anyway.

Those import restrictions are a factor though. If publishers sell all of their games for cheaper on Steam for Australians, then it hurts their physical distribution and publishers would essentially be competing with themselves and putting themselves out of business.

However you want to explain it, it's not Steam it's not publishers being evil and greedy. It's publishers responding to Australia's import restrictions, anti-competition laws and consumer protection laws.

If you really, really want to I guess you can blame the publishers but it's still not Steam doing this to Australian gamers. So this question would better be directed at the publishers of the games you think are priced to expensively for Australia.

Gus the Crocodile May 18, 2017 @ 10:16pm

Originally posted by BossGalaga:
It's publishers responding to Australia's import restrictions, anti-competition laws and consumer protection laws.

Yeah except that's quite specifically not all there is to it, as I discussed when bringing up that inquiry.

Adrian May 19, 2017 @ 12:50am

I have found a site that charges AUD but what you have to remember the fees from the bank /paypal etc.
As a experiment I checked out the price for a DLC on steam it's USD18.00 ( AUD $25.00) on the site i visited it's $21.00 ( $15.78 game +$4.00 + Guarantee ) if paying by Paypal you have to chuck on $2.60 +.30cents for overseas transaction .
This why I don't buy games for the computer anymore unless they're on special from EB Games use PS4 mostly but it's the same problem the only difference being is if I ask my nephew to buy me a game in the UK ( A) it's cheaper and ( B) I can run it without any problems .

Adrian May 19, 2017 @ 4:42am

Hi Chelle we're supposed to be getting Amazon sometime this year .

nish is gay May 23, 2017 @ 12:05am

Adrian i use ps4 myself personly because of this reason

#10

Smaug's Arrow. May 23, 2017 @ 9:06am

Originally posted by Adrian:
Hi Chelle we're supposed to be getting Amazon sometime this year .

I owe you a debt for your service... "Thanks Sir! I want nothing for myself and only wish to serve"

Then you'll get it in abundance!!!

#11

Darren May 26, 2017 @ 9:27pm

Is the game a Bethesda title? They appear to think the Steam USD price for a game for Australians is the AUD dollar price and never enter the price correctly.

I got Prey for 65 AUD on GMG while on Steam it would have been about 95ish.

For Bethesda titles buy retail or from GMG never from Steam directly.

Fallout 4 was another example 60 AUD retail on day 1. 120 AUD via Steam.

Last edited by Darren; May 26, 2017 @ 9:28pm

#12

Ishraqiyun May 29, 2017 @ 2:00am

We've historically paid more than the US for almost everything (except healthcare and firearms).

#13

Theleatheredgrayoldviperhunter Nov 26, 2024 @ 9:39pm

Everything in our daily lives has become way to expensive! As for gaming, all the excessive YouTube reviews is one of the contributing factors increasing gaming prices as this medium attracts more and more hype!
This advance rate of price increases will eventually lead to less people getting into gaming or quit gaming in the future. I have stopped buying games as in my opinion most games with high price tags fail to deliver on lack of content and repetitive sequences.

#14