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Source: http://steamcommunity.com/app/271290/discussions/0/558749825069573218/?tscn=1394454332
If its up to publishers, then, I like to know why is it region locked when the price offered isnt any cheaper than retail price. Unlike Russia or South America who get cheaper games.
Most South East Asia countries have no government body in game censorship like ESRB or PEGI. Most retail games are imported in as grey imports while piracy is prevalent here.
If there are national legistration, South Park will not be sold in some countries as anal probing and Jews are offensive to a portion of the population here. On the other, Australian and Germans get censored copies but Malaysia, Indonesia and so on gets uncensored copy.
As has been said, Steam/Valve does not choose what is and is not region locked. That is up to the developer/publisher and/or the local government.
It doesn't have to be about censorship. It could be due to many types of regulations. As you have also pointed out, there id a huge grey market and piracy in those areas. They may not be allowed due to the government wanting a cut of the sales, which is easier to do if sales are done locally.
There are many possibilities there. To find out, you may have to go ask each developer/publisher and/or government that is doing the region blocking. Valve is just complying with those requests.
At the same time, the last thing the publisher wants to be cause inconvenience to SEA gamers to force them to adopt piracy again as a lot of pirates started buying legit games due to Steam's excellent service. Region locking games without cheaper price tags does more damage than aids publishers.
Traditionally, Ubisoft and Meteor does not have any past region restriction on games in other region other than Russia and South America.
As far as I know, there is no national legislation for games in most SEA countries, other than Singapore.
If there are, South Park will never be released in Malaysia or Indonesia uncut as the local government will definitely outright ban the game there. The South Park cartoon is banned here, so why is the game released uncut here?
Again, you are barking up the wrong tree.
This is a decision made by each developer/publisher and/or government. Not Valve.
If you want an answer, those are tho ones you need to ask. If you want to debate it with them and try to get it unlocked, that is who you need to talk to.
There obviously is if the developer is saying wasn't their restriction. Even if it isn't specifically about games, there are trade laws and many other laws/legislation that can indirectly effect games.