Bought Diablo IV on Steam — Can’t Even Log In Because I’m a Foreigner in China. Refund Denied.

[kismety]

Hi everyone, just wanted to share my experience to warn others who may be in a similar situation.

I'm a foreigner working in mainland China. During the recent Steam Spring Sale, I purchased multiple games, including Diablo IV, which I was really excited to try. I didn’t get to it immediately because I was busy (with Assasin's Creed and Two Points Museum)— but when I finally launched it, I discovered something absurd:

In China, Diablo IV requires login through a localized Battle.net system via NetEase, and only Mainland Chinese citizens with a national ID can register. As a non-Chinese citizen, I’m legally unable to create the account needed to even access the game.

In other words — I paid full price for a game that’s completely unplayable for me, simply because I live in the wrong place and lack the required ID.

I explained all this to Steam Support and included screenshots proving the issue. But they still denied my refund because the purchase was more than 14 days old — even though I never got past the login screen.

I understand they have rules, but this feels incredibly unfair. I didn’t misuse the system. I bought multiple games (more than CNY1,200), and I’m only requesting refunds for the ones that I literally can’t use.

It’s disappointing that Steam has no process to handle this kind of region-specific lockout, especially for paying users who aren’t doing anything wrong.

If you're not a Chinese citizen living in China, please be extremely careful buying region-locked games like Diablo IV on Steam. You might find yourself completely locked out, with no refund option.

[Zarineth]

There always is a way, young padawan

引用自 Wolf Knight：

submit a manual ticket. select the purchase, then select "I have a question" and make your request there.

Just be advised, that if they refuse in manual ticket, that will be it.

[BJWyler]

As indicated by Zarineth, there is a process to get a manual review of the request done. Simply explain the situation in a respectful manner and see what happens.

That being said, at the end of the day, it is incumbent upon the consumer to research and understand any restrictions they may face when purchasing a product. You know the refund system is only for 14 days. It is your responsibility to ensure that the games you buy are playable within that time period, regardless of how "busy" you are with other "very important" things. It would have taken you all of 30 seconds to find out that Diablo was not playable by you within that 14 day period, and refund it appropriately and without hassle.

[Chika Ogiue]

Part of the lesson to take home from this is that you shouldn't buy something if you're not going to immediately get around to trying it out. Yes, I, too, learned that the hard way and am stuck with a title that literally won't launch and the developer doesn't even respond to their own support emails.

You can try a manual refund request, but this far outside the refund window, the answer is likely to be no still. Good luck.

[kismety]

Thanks, Masters, will try to manual ticket option

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

[BJWyler]

引用自 kismety：

Thanks, Masters, will try to manual ticket option

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

That's what happens when you are in a country with a repressive regime. All the more reason to be more aware and educated on the limitations you are going to run into.

[rawWwRrr]

引用自 kismety：

Thanks, Masters, will try to manual ticket option

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

While that may be the cause for your inability to play, you still had plenty of time to discover that before the refund window ended. The battle.net account creation issue you encountered is not something Steam has any control over.

[Brian9824]

You can also contact blizzard directly, explain your situation and ask for a refund from them. Its no different then a store offering a limited warranty and then after that period expires you contact the manufacturer for a refund if needed.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Are you using SteamChina or the international version?

[Nx Machina]

引用自 kismety：

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

Discriminatory?

The refund policy is the same for everyone - WITHIN 2 weeks of purchase AND with LESS than 2 hours playtime.

You agree to the refund policy every time you make a purchase and yet you chose to:

引用自 kismety：

I didn’t get to it immediately because I was busy (with Assasin's Creed and Two Points Museum)— but when I finally launched it, I discovered something absurd:

[nullable]

引用自 Nx Machina：

引用自 kismety：

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

Discriminatory?

The refund policy is the same for everyone - WITHIN 2 weeks of purchase AND with LESS than 2 hours playtime.

You agree to the refund policy every time you make a purchase and yet you chose to:

引用自 kismety：

I didn’t get to it immediately because I was busy (with Assasin's Creed and Two Points Museum)— but when I finally launched it, I discovered something absurd:

Well to be clear the discriminatory practice he is referring to is

In China, Diablo IV requires login through a localized Battle.net system via NetEase, and only Mainland Chinese citizens with a national ID can register. As a non-Chinese citizen, I’m legally unable to create the account needed to even access the game.

Having to use a chinese service that requires an national ID to use, that he can't get because he's not chinese. Apparently he's still learning some things about his current country of residence. Although to be fair most of us who live in our home countries probably have a lot to learn about our own countries too, just going by how often people make bogus legal claims about their country's laws.

[Chika Ogiue]

引用自 Nx Machina：

Discriminatory?

He's probably talking about not being able to use Battle net in China because he isn't a Chinese national. That is absolutely discriminatory.

[Start_Running]

You could always talk to Blizzacti about that.

[kismety]

引用自 cSg|mc-Hotsauce：

Are you using SteamChina or the international version?

:nkCool:

Steamdeck....

[kismety]

引用自 Chika Ogiue：

引用自 Nx Machina：

Discriminatory?

He's probably talking about not being able to use Battle net in China because he isn't a Chinese national. That is absolutely discriminatory.

Yes! Thanks Chika.

I have had a battle.net account with Blizzard for many years. If the location changed to China, https://account.battlenet.com.cn/ would be completely different. For account creation, it discriminates against non-Chinese citizens, as it requires a China ID to proceed.

[morrisseyshair]

引用自 kismety：

I will be more careful in the future, however, the issue is rooted in discriminatory practices, which I had never expected *sigh*

Why not? China is crazy racist.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism_in_China