Kreezio Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:29am
deceptive pricing, increasing the pricing before sales. (illagal? depence)
Synopsis

Deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry, particularly the deliberate inflation of game prices before sales events, can have detrimental effects on consumer trust, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the gaming industry. Consumers may feel manipulated, leading to negative experiences and potential revenue loss for developers and publishers. The legality of such practices varies, but consumer protection laws often address deceptive pricing and unfair trade practices.

To address this issue, users can take several actions. They can raise awareness within the gaming community, share experiences on forums and social media, and provide honest feedback and reviews. Community advocacy, supporting ethical developers, and engaging with regulatory bodies are essential steps. Users can also explore parliamentary and judicial channels by reaching out to elected representatives, advocating for regulatory oversight, and, in extreme cases, seeking legal action against deceptive practices. Collaborating with consumer rights groups can amplify the collective voice of users in addressing deceptive pricing and promoting fair practices in the gaming industry.


Core

This practice can erode trust between consumers and developers/publishers, and it can lead to negative consumer experiences, ultimately impacting the reputation of the gaming industry as a whole. Here are some points to consider when discussing deceptive pricing in the context of a Steam discussion:

Consumer Trust: Deceptive pricing strategies can lead to a breach of trust between gamers and game developers/publishers. When consumers feel that they are being manipulated into making purchases, it can damage their perception of the gaming industry as a whole. Maintaining consumer trust is crucial for the long-term success of the industry.

Ethical Concerns: From an ethical standpoint, deliberately increasing game prices right before sales events can be seen as manipulative and unfair to consumers. It raises questions about the transparency and integrity of pricing practices within the gaming industry.

Impact on Consumer Experience: Deceptive pricing can result in negative consumer experiences. Gamers who have eagerly awaited a sale event only to discover inflated prices may feel misled and discouraged from making future purchases, leading to a loss of potential revenue for developers and publishers.

Industry Reputation: Deceptive pricing practices can harm the overall reputation of the gaming industry. Negative experiences shared by consumers can have a ripple effect, influencing others' perceptions of the industry and potentially deterring new customers from engaging with gaming platforms.

Regulatory Considerations: There may be a need for increased transparency and regulation regarding pricing practices in the gaming industry. It's important to consider how deceptive pricing aligns with consumer protection laws and whether there should be clearer guidelines in place to prevent such practices.

is it legal?

The legality of deceptive pricing practices, such as deliberately increasing game prices right before sales events, can vary depending on the specific laws and regulations in different jurisdictions. In many regions, there are consumer protection laws and regulations that address deceptive pricing and unfair trade practices.

Some common legal considerations related to deceptive pricing may include:

False Advertising Laws: Many jurisdictions have laws that prohibit false or misleading advertising, which can encompass deceptive pricing practices. These laws typically aim to protect consumers from being misled about the actual prices of products or services.

Consumer Protection Laws: Consumer protection laws often include provisions to prevent unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable trade practices. These laws may be designed to safeguard consumers from deceptive pricing strategies that could harm their interests.

Pricing Regulations: Some regions may have specific regulations or guidelines related to pricing practices in various industries, including the gaming industry. These regulations may address issues such as price manipulation, price transparency, and the timing of price changes.

What can we do?

Raise Awareness: Users can raise awareness about deceptive pricing practices within the gaming community. By sharing their experiences and concerns on forums, social media, and gaming platforms, they can inform others and potentially put pressure on developers and publishers to reconsider their pricing strategies.

Feedback and Reviews: Providing honest feedback and reviews about games and their pricing practices can influence other potential buyers. Developers and publishers often take user feedback into account, and public criticism of deceptive pricing can encourage them to reevaluate their strategies.

Community Advocacy: Users can advocate for fair pricing practices within gaming communities and forums. By organizing discussions and petitions, they can demonstrate the collective impact of deceptive pricing on the gaming community and push for change.

Support Ethical Developers: Users can choose to support developers and publishers who are transparent and fair in their pricing practices. This can send a message to the industry that ethical pricing is valued and can influence purchasing decisions.

Regulatory Engagement: In cases where deceptive pricing practices may violate consumer protection laws, users can engage with consumer advocacy groups and regulatory bodies to report such practices and seek appropriate action.

By taking these actions, the user base can play a significant role in addressing deceptive pricing practices and promoting fair and transparent pricing within the gaming industry.

When considering potential actions to address deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry through parliamentary or judicial channels, it's important to explore the following avenues:

Engage with Parliament:
Users can consider reaching out to their elected representatives in parliament to express concerns about deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry. This can be done through letters, emails, or participation in public consultations related to consumer protection and fair trade practices. By highlighting specific examples and the potential impact on consumers, they can advocate for legislative measures to address deceptive pricing.

Advocate for Regulatory Oversight:
Encouraging parliament to introduce or strengthen regulations specifically targeting deceptive pricing in the gaming sector can be an effective approach. This may involve proposing amendments to existing consumer protection laws or advocating for the creation of new regulations that explicitly address pricing transparency and fairness in the gaming industry.

Legal Action and Judicial Review:
In cases where deceptive pricing practices may violate existing consumer protection laws, users can explore the option of seeking legal recourse through the judicial system. This could involve filing complaints with relevant regulatory bodies or pursuing legal action against developers or publishers engaged in deceptive pricing. Seeking legal advice from consumer rights organizations or legal professionals specializing in consumer law can provide valuable guidance on potential legal avenues.

Collaborate with Consumer Rights Groups:
Collaborating with established consumer rights organizations and advocacy groups can amplify the collective voice of users in addressing deceptive pricing practices. These groups often have expertise in navigating legislative processes and engaging with regulatory authorities to advocate for consumer protection measures.

By engaging with parliament and potentially pursuing legal avenues, users can contribute to efforts aimed at addressing deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry and promoting fair and transparent pricing for consumers.

How?

Addressing Parliament:

Research Representatives: Identify and research your local elected representatives, such as members of parliament (MPs) or congressional representatives, who have jurisdiction over consumer protection and trade practices.

Compose a Letter or Email: Write a formal letter or email expressing your concerns about deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry. Clearly outline specific examples, the impact on consumers, and the potential violation of existing consumer protection laws.

Provide Evidence: Attach any relevant evidence, such as screenshots, links, or documents that support your claims of deceptive pricing. This strengthens your case and provides tangible examples for policymakers.

Emphasize Consumer Impact: Clearly articulate how deceptive pricing negatively affects consumers, erodes trust in the gaming industry, and may warrant legislative action to protect consumer interests.

Request Action: Politely request that your representative takes action, whether it be through supporting or introducing legislation, advocating for regulatory oversight, or raising the issue in parliamentary sessions.

Follow Up: Follow up on your communication with a phone call or additional emails to ensure your message is received and to express your continued concern.

Addressing a Judge:

Legal Consultation: Seek legal advice to determine if there are grounds for legal action against deceptive pricing practices. Consumer rights organizations or legal professionals specializing in consumer law can provide guidance.

File a Complaint: If legal action is warranted, file a formal complaint with the relevant court or regulatory body. Clearly outline the deceptive pricing practices, the impact on consumers, and any specific laws or regulations that may have been violated.

Prepare Documentation: Compile all relevant documentation, including evidence of deceptive pricing, communication with developers or publishers, and any responses received. This will serve as essential evidence in legal proceedings.

Legal Representation: Consider hiring legal representation to guide you through the legal process. An attorney experienced in consumer protection or gaming law can provide valuable assistance.

Attend Court Proceedings: If legal action progresses to court, attend proceedings and present your case as directed by your legal representation. Be prepared to answer questions and provide additional evidence as needed.

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Explore alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, if applicable and recommended by legal professionals.

Remember to always act within the confines of the law and seek appropriate legal advice before pursuing any legal actions.

TL;DR:
Users can engage with parliament to address deceptive pricing in gaming by advocating for regulatory oversight and legal action. They can reach out to elected representatives, propose legislative measures, and collaborate with consumer rights groups to promote fair pricing practices and consumer protection in the gaming industry.
Last edited by Kreezio; Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:32am
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Showing 1-15 of 74 comments
AmsterdamHeavy Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:30am 
More Chat bot output.
Kreezio Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:31am 
Originally posted by AmsterdamHeavy:
More Chat bot output.

at least you can docomente yourself before judging
cSg|mc-Hotsauce Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:36am 
Originally posted by Kreezio:
deceptive pricing, increasing the pricing before sales. (illagal? depence)

Synopsis

Deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry, particularly the deliberate inflation of game prices before sales events, can have detrimental effects on consumer trust, ethical considerations, and the overall reputation of the gaming industry. Consumers may feel manipulated, leading to negative experiences and potential revenue loss for developers and publishers. The legality of such practices varies, but consumer protection laws often address deceptive pricing and unfair trade practices.

To address this issue, users can take several actions. They can raise awareness within the gaming community, share experiences on forums and social media, and provide honest feedback and reviews. Community advocacy, supporting ethical developers, and engaging with regulatory bodies are essential steps. Users can also explore parliamentary and judicial channels by reaching out to elected representatives, advocating for regulatory oversight, and, in extreme cases, seeking legal action against deceptive practices. Collaborating with consumer rights groups can amplify the collective voice of users in addressing deceptive pricing and promoting fair practices in the gaming industry.


Core

This practice can erode trust between consumers and developers/publishers, and it can lead to negative consumer experiences, ultimately impacting the reputation of the gaming industry as a whole. Here are some points to consider when discussing deceptive pricing in the context of a Steam discussion:

Consumer Trust: Deceptive pricing strategies can lead to a breach of trust between gamers and game developers/publishers. When consumers feel that they are being manipulated into making purchases, it can damage their perception of the gaming industry as a whole. Maintaining consumer trust is crucial for the long-term success of the industry.

Ethical Concerns: From an ethical standpoint, deliberately increasing game prices right before sales events can be seen as manipulative and unfair to consumers. It raises questions about the transparency and integrity of pricing practices within the gaming industry.

Impact on Consumer Experience: Deceptive pricing can result in negative consumer experiences. Gamers who have eagerly awaited a sale event only to discover inflated prices may feel misled and discouraged from making future purchases, leading to a loss of potential revenue for developers and publishers.

Industry Reputation: Deceptive pricing practices can harm the overall reputation of the gaming industry. Negative experiences shared by consumers can have a ripple effect, influencing others' perceptions of the industry and potentially deterring new customers from engaging with gaming platforms.

Regulatory Considerations: There may be a need for increased transparency and regulation regarding pricing practices in the gaming industry. It's important to consider how deceptive pricing aligns with consumer protection laws and whether there should be clearer guidelines in place to prevent such practices.

is it legal?

The legality of deceptive pricing practices, such as deliberately increasing game prices right before sales events, can vary depending on the specific laws and regulations in different jurisdictions. In many regions, there are consumer protection laws and regulations that address deceptive pricing and unfair trade practices.

Some common legal considerations related to deceptive pricing may include:

False Advertising Laws: Many jurisdictions have laws that prohibit false or misleading advertising, which can encompass deceptive pricing practices. These laws typically aim to protect consumers from being misled about the actual prices of products or services.

Consumer Protection Laws: Consumer protection laws often include provisions to prevent unfair, deceptive, or unconscionable trade practices. These laws may be designed to safeguard consumers from deceptive pricing strategies that could harm their interests.

Pricing Regulations: Some regions may have specific regulations or guidelines related to pricing practices in various industries, including the gaming industry. These regulations may address issues such as price manipulation, price transparency, and the timing of price changes.

What can we do?

Raise Awareness: Users can raise awareness about deceptive pricing practices within the gaming community. By sharing their experiences and concerns on forums, social media, and gaming platforms, they can inform others and potentially put pressure on developers and publishers to reconsider their pricing strategies.

Feedback and Reviews: Providing honest feedback and reviews about games and their pricing practices can influence other potential buyers. Developers and publishers often take user feedback into account, and public criticism of deceptive pricing can encourage them to reevaluate their strategies.

Community Advocacy: Users can advocate for fair pricing practices within gaming communities and forums. By organizing discussions and petitions, they can demonstrate the collective impact of deceptive pricing on the gaming community and push for change.

Support Ethical Developers: Users can choose to support developers and publishers who are transparent and fair in their pricing practices. This can send a message to the industry that ethical pricing is valued and can influence purchasing decisions.

Regulatory Engagement: In cases where deceptive pricing practices may violate consumer protection laws, users can engage with consumer advocacy groups and regulatory bodies to report such practices and seek appropriate action.

By taking these actions, the user base can play a significant role in addressing deceptive pricing practices and promoting fair and transparent pricing within the gaming industry.

When considering potential actions to address deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry through parliamentary or judicial channels, it's important to explore the following avenues:

Engage with Parliament:
Users can consider reaching out to their elected representatives in parliament to express concerns about deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry. This can be done through letters, emails, or participation in public consultations related to consumer protection and fair trade practices. By highlighting specific examples and the potential impact on consumers, they can advocate for legislative measures to address deceptive pricing.

Advocate for Regulatory Oversight:
Encouraging parliament to introduce or strengthen regulations specifically targeting deceptive pricing in the gaming sector can be an effective approach. This may involve proposing amendments to existing consumer protection laws or advocating for the creation of new regulations that explicitly address pricing transparency and fairness in the gaming industry.

Legal Action and Judicial Review:
In cases where deceptive pricing practices may violate existing consumer protection laws, users can explore the option of seeking legal recourse through the judicial system. This could involve filing complaints with relevant regulatory bodies or pursuing legal action against developers or publishers engaged in deceptive pricing. Seeking legal advice from consumer rights organizations or legal professionals specializing in consumer law can provide valuable guidance on potential legal avenues.

Collaborate with Consumer Rights Groups:
Collaborating with established consumer rights organizations and advocacy groups can amplify the collective voice of users in addressing deceptive pricing practices. These groups often have expertise in navigating legislative processes and engaging with regulatory authorities to advocate for consumer protection measures.

By engaging with parliament and potentially pursuing legal avenues, users can contribute to efforts aimed at addressing deceptive pricing practices in the gaming industry and promoting fair and transparent pricing for consumers.

TL;DR:
Users can engage with parliament to address deceptive pricing in gaming by advocating for regulatory oversight and legal action. They can reach out to elected representatives, propose legislative measures, and collaborate with consumer rights groups to promote fair pricing practices and consumer protection in the gaming industry.

Specific Discounting Rules
  • You can run a launch discount, but once your launch discount ends, you cannot run any other discounts for 30 days.
  • It is not possible to discount your product for 30 days following a price increase in any currency.
  • Discounts cannot be run within 30 days of your prior discount, with the exception of Steam-wide seasonal events.
  • Discounts for seasonal sale events cannot be run within 30 days of releasing your title, within 30 days from when your launch discount ends, or within 30 days of a price increase in any currency.
  • You may not change your price while a promotion is currently live or scheduled for the future.
  • It is not possible to discount a product by more than 90% or less than 10%.
  • it is not possible to create new discounts for a product that would result in the price in any currency falling below Steam's minimum possible transaction price. See details.
  • Custom discounts cannot last longer than two weeks, or run for shorter than 1 day.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/marketing/discounts#7

:summercat2023:
Kreezio Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:42am 
looks like 2 post got removed one mine one of the sarcastic cat. i personaly havent remove it
Last edited by Kreezio; Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:42am
cSg|mc-Hotsauce Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:44am 
Originally posted by Kreezio:
looks like 2 post got removed one mine one of the sarcastic cat. i personaly havent remove it

Support removed them because "someone" reported them.

:summercat2023:
ReBoot Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:44am 
Does that stuff actually happen?
Haruspex Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:46am 
There are already rules to mitigate all this.

From Steamworks documentation
  • You can run a launch discount, but once your launch discount ends, you cannot run any other discounts for 30 days.
  • It is not possible to discount your product for 30 days following a price increase in any currency.
  • Discounts cannot be run within 30 days of your prior discount, with the exception of Steam-wide seasonal events.
  • Discounts for seasonal sale events cannot be run within 30 days of releasing your title, within 30 days from when your launch discount ends, or within 30 days of a price increase in any currency.
  • You may not change your price while a promotion is currently live or scheduled for the future.
  • It is not possible to discount a product by more than 90% or less than 10%.
  • it is not possible to create new discounts for a product that would result in the price in any currency falling below Steam's minimum possible transaction price. See details.
  • Custom discounts cannot last longer than two weeks, or run for shorter than 1 day.
cSg|mc-Hotsauce Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:47am 
Originally posted by Haruspex:
There are already rules to mitigate all this.

From Steamworks documentation
  • You can run a launch discount, but once your launch discount ends, you cannot run any other discounts for 30 days.
  • It is not possible to discount your product for 30 days following a price increase in any currency.
  • Discounts cannot be run within 30 days of your prior discount, with the exception of Steam-wide seasonal events.
  • Discounts for seasonal sale events cannot be run within 30 days of releasing your title, within 30 days from when your launch discount ends, or within 30 days of a price increase in any currency.
  • You may not change your price while a promotion is currently live or scheduled for the future.
  • It is not possible to discount a product by more than 90% or less than 10%.
  • it is not possible to create new discounts for a product that would result in the price in any currency falling below Steam's minimum possible transaction price. See details.
  • Custom discounts cannot last longer than two weeks, or run for shorter than 1 day.

I mentioned that but I don't think that the OP cares about it.

:summercat2023:
Boblin the Goblin Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:48am 
Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Originally posted by Haruspex:
There are already rules to mitigate all this.

From Steamworks documentation

I mentioned that but I don't think that the OP cares about it.

:summercat2023:
Because it completely invalidates the topic.
Qbert ⭐ Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:55am 
Originally posted by SlowMango:
Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

I mentioned that but I don't think that the OP cares about it.

:summercat2023:
Because it completely invalidates the topic.
OP maybe is looking for something else... I mean... The whole post seems to be AI generated...

OP also didn't provide any evidence of this happening on steam

Let me be clear before the anti steam brigade arrives: price decieving it's real, you can check that on black friday's offers for example.

On this platform... not sure.... the rules mentioned by Hotsauce and Haruspex seems to be enough to avoid it.
Zefar Dec 20, 2023 @ 12:04pm 
In USA it is illegal to raise the price of an item and put it on sale to make it look like it has a sale.

Retail stores are not allowed to do this.

So I am quite sure this is not allowed on Steam either seeing as they are operating from USA.
Boblin the Goblin Dec 20, 2023 @ 12:08pm 
Originally posted by Qbert ⭐:
Originally posted by SlowMango:
Because it completely invalidates the topic.
OP maybe is looking for something else... I mean... The whole post seems to be AI generated...
Funny you mention that.
Qbert ⭐ Dec 20, 2023 @ 12:08pm 
I remember some videos with people showing price tags with some discounts (black friday again) and then peeling it away to show the old tag with the exact same price

And I am quite sure it was in the US
C²C^Guyver |NZB| Dec 20, 2023 @ 12:15pm 
Originally posted by SlowMango:
Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

I mentioned that but I don't think that the OP cares about it.

:summercat2023:
Because it completely invalidates the topic.
... and they hate when that happens lol
C²C^Guyver |NZB| Dec 20, 2023 @ 12:16pm 
Funny how the OP seems to think that Valve is changing the prices. Yet they don't have any problem cheating in games.... multiple times.
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Date Posted: Dec 20, 2023 @ 11:29am
Posts: 74