Ways to Prevent the Removal of Argentine Peso Prices.

[Gabo Bi]

My name is Gabriel (A.K.A Gabo Bi), and I have set out to express my opinions and suggestions regarding for Steam. In recent days, a change in pricing structure for Argentina (Argentine Peso) has been announced, which has caused concern and discouragement among numerous users. Argentina is currently grappling with a profound economic crisis, characterized by a 130% inflation rate, a 100% VAT rate on all purchases, a high and constantly fluctuating exchange rate for the US dollar, and a general uncertainty about the future of the economy. The news that Steam will adopt the US dollar as the reference currency is a source of concern for many, as it is nearly impossible to purchase products with prices denominated in dollars in our country. This change will lead to a significant decrease in sales. Although game prices did not align completely with Steam's recommendations, they remained more accessible than if they were priced in dollars. Additionally, the misuse of VPNs by users in other countries has contributed to making prices in Argentine Pesos unsustainable.

It is in this context that I wish to propose a series of recommendations that could enhance the current system and, at the same time, prevent the malicious use of VPNs

Implementation of a validation system for Argentine National Identity Documents (Documento Nacional de Identidad or DNI), requiring each user to enter their DNI number and their Argentine phone number. This would ensure that only residents in Argentina have access to regional prices. Furthermore, it could be limited to a single account per phone number with the international prefix "+54."

Offer an incentive to game developers to comply with Valve's regional pricing policies. This could be achieved by increasing their share of revenue based on their degree of compliance with Steam's regional pricing guidelines. For example, moving from a revenue-sharing ratio of 70/30 to 72/28 or even 73/27, to motivate more developers to respect Steam's pricing policies.

Introduce a mechanism that requires foreign users to pay the price corresponding to the recipient's region when gifting games to people from other regions. For instance, if an Argentine user gifts a game to a Spanish user, the cost for the Argentine user should be based on the euro price.

Having Steam in our local currency has been a truly positive experience, and my goal is for this situation to continue. I hope this communication reaches the right hands within your company and that these suggestions are seriously considered. We aim to avoid a return to the era of extreme piracy. The last six years have been exceptional, and we look forward to them continuing to be so. I appreciate your time and urge you to share these ideas with other members of the Steam team, as they may find value in these contributions.

Thank you for your attention, and see you soon

[Boblin the Goblin]

Steam doesn't determine region based on your IP anymore.

They use a lot more to verify your region.

[Spawn of Totoro]

The issue isn't people not form the country buying games cheaper in the country, it is about the value of the currency and the ease of the transaction between the banks.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/3728476412305766957

Exchange rate volatility in Argentina and Turkey in recent years has made it hard for game developers to choose appropriate prices for their games and keep them current. We have heard this loud and clear in our developer meet ups and round table chats. In addition, we have had a hard time keeping Steam payment methods up and running in these territories due to the constant foreign exchange fluctuations, fees, taxes, and logistical issues. Pricing games in USD for customers in Argentina and Turkey will help us provide greater stability and consistency for players and partners, while also enabling us to continue to offer a variety of payment methods to Steam users in those countries/territories.

[fnv]

deberiamos entender y afrontar la cruda realidad de que
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fHC2TT4xY

no hay nada que podamos hacer

[nullable]

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Ways to Prevent the Removal of Argentine Peso Prices.

You can't.

You seem to think more ways to combat region hopping will address the issues, because you want to believe the issue is region hopping and not the volatility of your currency.

You seem to think Valve is (should be) so desperate to keep the ARS that they'll take a pay cut to facilitate that.

Also you talk about "complying with Valve's regional pricing policies", I don't think you understand this really. Or at the very least you've run it through some filter where you believe Valve has made some recommendations and publishers are somehow obligated to or need to be incentivized to use them. And that Valve is willing to pay developers to use their recommendations. That's a pretty wild assumption on your part, I think you'd be hard pressed to show it's based on reality though.

And Valve already has gifting rules, +/- 10%, don't expect those to change. People have suggested schemes like yours, paying different prices, paying the difference, whatever. We all understand the appeal, but it's not always that simple and in some instances it's going to be illegal regardless of how well intention-ed it is. The thing with using stable USD is gifting might be possible for you again as a result of that.

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by kat:

deberiamos entender y afrontar la cruda realidad de que
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fHC2TT4xY

no hay nada que podamos hacer

Nuncaa

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by SlowMango:

Steam doesn't determine region based on your IP anymore.

They use a lot more to verify your region.

I know, and that’s why I propose much more effective methods to have control over the real users of this country. Creating an account in Argentina and loading balance through a third-party page is very easy and totally profitable for the one who does it, but it ends up harming those who really live in the country

[fnv]

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Originally posted by kat:

deberiamos entender y afrontar la cruda realidad de que
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_fHC2TT4xY

no hay nada que podamos hacer

Nuncaa

Compra todos los juegos que puedas antes del 20 sin pensarlo dos veces, despues de esa fecha dudo que volvamos a comprar juegos en steam nunca mas

[William Shakesman]

I fully support my Argentine friends south of the border to raise hell about this issue

[fnv]

thank you william shakesman but there is nothing we can do, its joever

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by kat:

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Nuncaa

Compra todos los juegos que puedas antes del 20 sin pensarlo dos veces, despues de esa fecha dudo que volvamos a comprar juegos en steam nunca mas

Bueno, será como antes, comprabas un juego cada x meses y era uno que querias mucho, el tema y lo que me da pena de esto es que seguramente muchas tiendas tomen este rumbo. Una pena, pero es lo que hay.

[fnv]

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Originally posted by kat:

Compra todos los juegos que puedas antes del 20 sin pensarlo dos veces, despues de esa fecha dudo que volvamos a comprar juegos en steam nunca mas

Bueno, será como antes, comprabas un juego cada x meses y era uno que querias mucho, el tema y lo que me da pena de esto es que seguramente muchas tiendas tomen este rumbo. Una pena, pero es lo que hay.

volvemos a la edad oscura del gaming

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by William Shakesman:

I fully support my Argentine friends south of the border to raise hell about this issue

Thx William As we say in Argentina "Sos alto capo"

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by nullable:

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Ways to Prevent the Removal of Argentine Peso Prices.

You can't.

You seem to think more ways to combat region hopping will address the issues, because you want to believe the issue is region hopping and not the volatility of your currency.

You seem to think Valve is (should be) so desperate to keep the ARS that they'll take a pay cut to facilitate that.

Also you talk about "complying with Valve's regional pricing policies", I don't think you understand this really. Or at the very least you've run it through some filter where you believe Valve has made some recommendations and publishers are somehow obligated to or need to be incentivized to use them. And that Valve is willing to pay developers to use their recommendations. That's a pretty wild assumption on your part, I think you'd be hard pressed to show it's based on reality though.

And Valve already has gifting rules, +/- 10%, don't expect those to change. People have suggested schemes like yours, paying different prices, paying the difference, whatever. We all understand the appeal, but it's not always that simple and in some instances it's going to be illegal regardless of how well intention-ed it is. The thing with using stable USD is gifting might be possible for you again as a result of that.

Yes, as you say it is impossible or very unlikely that any change will be made, and yes, the fault is due to the weak currency that this country handles. But before the peso in Steam and other systems, it was very rare that people want or can buy videos were very few. Argentina is a large market and has many people who love video games and it would be good if they can continue enjoying this medium thanks to the ease that steam provided for this country. (I speak of Argentina because it is the country where I live, I will not speak for all countries when I do not know how the situation is, luckily and because of my work I can continue enjoying video games, but I know that thousands of people will lose this hobby that was already expensive)

[Gabo Bi]

Originally posted by Spawn of Totoro:

The issue isn't people not form the country buying games cheaper in the country, it is about the value of the currency and the ease of the transaction between the banks.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/3728476412305766957

Exchange rate volatility in Argentina and Turkey in recent years has made it hard for game developers to choose appropriate prices for their games and keep them current. We have heard this loud and clear in our developer meet ups and round table chats. In addition, we have had a hard time keeping Steam payment methods up and running in these territories due to the constant foreign exchange fluctuations, fees, taxes, and logistical issues. Pricing games in USD for customers in Argentina and Turkey will help us provide greater stability and consistency for players and partners, while also enabling us to continue to offer a variety of payment methods to Steam users in those countries/territories.

Even if they don’t want to admit it, one of the reasons has to do with the use of VPNs by people. It is not the only one and as you say, it is because of the weak and volatile currency that we have. But the prices that Steam suggests for the LATAM-USD are very high for what Argentina is (I speak of this country because I know the current situation). If the operation is not reversible, I would make them delay the change until January 1, 2024, so they can enjoy the Christmas offers.

btw payments in USD from Arg generate a lot of problems with banks (“quilombo" as we say in arg) you have to pray for the transaction to go through

[nullable]

Originally posted by Gabo Bi:

Yes, as you say it is impossible or very unlikely that any change will be made, and yes, the fault is due to the weak currency that this country handles. But before the peso in Steam and other systems, it was very rare that people want or can buy videos were very few. Argentina is a large market and has many people who love video games and it would be good if they can continue enjoying this medium thanks to the ease that steam provided for this country. (I speak of Argentina because it is the country where I live, I will not speak for all countries when I do not know how the situation is, luckily and because of my work I can continue enjoying video games, but I know that thousands of people will lose this hobby that was already expensive)

Having a lot of people and enjoying games is great. Being able to pay for those games is something else. And one of the overarching themes I see from users from Argentina and Turkey is they want to operate on the premise that Valve should be willing to go to any lengths to increase the number of customers regardless of the value of those customers, and they should be willing to accept any pittance above zero for games in order to increase the number of customers and units sold. And some how that's a huge/valuable market that will devastate Valve if they they rock the boat. No other concerns matter or should be considered. Valve should stick their head in the sand no matter how much of a burden failing currencies are.

Well it's all a very convenient argument for the people making it. It's just not reality though.