How can I (living in US) gift my friend (living in Germany) a game?

[thornhale]

Steam has until now been a great online game store and community, but one change is still upsetting me to no end. My best friend lives in Germany and we have been gifting each other games for a long time.

About some time last year, Steam's policy changed. Gifting now no longer works for me because it appears that games in the US are cheaper after conversion compared to the EU. Steam explicitly prohibits any such transactions during the checkout process. Because of this, I can no longer gift games to my friend via Steam's regular gifting option.

The game I am looking to gift specifically is "Ori and the Blind Forest".

I am looking for a reason for this change in policy. Is this just pure greed?

But rather than just complaining about it (it is such stupid policy), I am looking for solutions. Are there any Steam approved methods which allow me to still gift my friend the game I mentioned above? Alternatively, do I need to explore other online game platforms (e.g.: Origin, MS Store) to be able to do that? How are you able to get around the restriction of not being able to gift games to people living in regions where the game costs more?

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Can't be higher or lower by 10% apart. If it worth 10% more, it's a nope, if it worth 10% less, it's a nope.

Also there restriction, such as game are not allowed in certain region/country, or there's different version that only sold in certain region/country, and not allow to get different version. Also Devs/Pubs do have the optipn control what region/country you're allow to gift to, from depending where you're from.

You can just send the funds by buying the Steam card, and gift it to your friend.
https://store.steampowered.com/digitalgiftcards/

The whole price difference, and gifts is basically fight back against people trying so hard to make a quick buck.

[Radene]

You can't. Your only option is the lame and impersonal thing to send them wallet funds so they can buy it themselves.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Ori and the Blind Forest is a 16.80% difference after currency conversion.

Send a digital wallet card and use this to send custom amounts...

https://www.howtogeek.com/331114/how-to-send-a-steam-digital-gift-card-in-any-amount/

[Muppet among Puppets]

Buy the game in a sale on another shop then. Humble bundle or so.

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Also there restriction, such as game are not allowed in certain region/country, or there's different version that only sold in certain region/country, and not allow to get different version.

I am not sure there is a game on steam that isnt allowed to get in germany.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

I am not sure there is a game on steam that isnt allowed to get in germany.

Remeber this?

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/1696048786954905786/

What about these?

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/27-games-removed-from-steam-in-germany.1226417/

[Muppet among Puppets]

Allowed to get.
Allowed to possess.

There is a difference to restrictions of openly sell and advertise

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

You said get. I posted one you can't get through Steam.

[Muppet among Puppets]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

You said get. I posted one you can't get through Steam.
:

I said, allowed to get.
If steam doesnt sell it, or if there is a special version, has no meaning of not allowed to get.

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by Muppet among Puppets:

Buy the game in a sale on another shop then. Humble bundle or so.

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:

Also there restriction, such as game are not allowed in certain region/country, or there's different version that only sold in certain region/country, and not allow to get different version.

I am not sure there is a game on steam that isnt allowed to get in germany.

But you want to make sure it's a region free key, if not, may run into a problem. The site should explain if the key is region free, if not, and the country for your friend isn't listed he won't be able to claim it.

I seen dozens of games getting block, but overtime they may unblock them, either there was an issue that went on that the devs had to work out, or that it wasn't pre approve.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

I suggest you buy this off Steam.

https://www.gog.com/game/ori_and_the_blind_forest_definitive_edition

This will work. GOG never charges anyone more than the US price anyway.

[phatbassanchor]

Originally posted by thornhale:

Steam has until now been a great online game store and community, but one change is still upsetting me to no end. My best friend lives in Germany and we have been gifting each other games for a long time.

About some time last year, Steam's policy changed. Gifting now no longer works for me because it appears that games in the US are cheaper after conversion compared to the EU. Steam explicitly prohibits any such transactions during the checkout process. Because of this, I can no longer gift games to my friend via Steam's regular gifting option.

The game I am looking to gift specifically is "Ori and the Blind Forest".

I am looking for a reason for this change in policy. Is this just pure greed?

But rather than just complaining about it (it is such stupid policy), I am looking for solutions. Are there any Steam approved methods which allow me to still gift my friend the game I mentioned above? Alternatively, do I need to explore other online game platforms (e.g.: Origin, MS Store) to be able to do that? How are you able to get around the restriction of not being able to gift games to people living in regions where the game costs more?

Thank you for bringing up this topic. I just encountered this block myself attempting to purchase Fallout 4 GOTY for a friend in Germany. I was unable to complete my gift order. So, I attempted to send a gift card instead. I'm fine with a game having a different price in another region. I am willing to pay the difference as long as I know the full price in USD prior to submitting it to my card. However, I couldn't even send a gift card! THAT is totally unacceptable for me. So, I hope that someone from Steam is actually reading this.
I have been a member and staunch supporter of Steam for over three years now. I had no complaints until now. If something costs more in another region then please allow me to pay the going rate in the destination region rather than to block my ability to transact entirely. This policy makes absolutely no sense and needs to be changed immediately.
As is, I now must apologize to my friend for getting his hopes up. I'm not looking forward to that conversation. My only other option at this point is to send him money via paypal or other third party. I'm not too keen on that idea. Feels like charity rather than an actual gift. This blocking policy stinks! Please change it ASAP! I'll be happy to pay the going rate for the game in the other region. I can live with that. But, telling me I cannot send a friend a gift is completely unacceptable!
Thank you for hearing me.
Adventure on, Phat

[Dr.Shadowds 🐉]

Originally posted by phatbassanchor:

Originally posted by thornhale:

Steam has until now been a great online game store and community, but one change is still upsetting me to no end. My best friend lives in Germany and we have been gifting each other games for a long time.

About some time last year, Steam's policy changed. Gifting now no longer works for me because it appears that games in the US are cheaper after conversion compared to the EU. Steam explicitly prohibits any such transactions during the checkout process. Because of this, I can no longer gift games to my friend via Steam's regular gifting option.

The game I am looking to gift specifically is "Ori and the Blind Forest".

I am looking for a reason for this change in policy. Is this just pure greed?

But rather than just complaining about it (it is such stupid policy), I am looking for solutions. Are there any Steam approved methods which allow me to still gift my friend the game I mentioned above? Alternatively, do I need to explore other online game platforms (e.g.: Origin, MS Store) to be able to do that? How are you able to get around the restriction of not being able to gift games to people living in regions where the game costs more?

Thank you for bringing up this topic. I just encountered this block myself attempting to purchase Fallout 4 GOTY for a friend in Germany. I was unable to complete my gift order. So, I attempted to send a gift card instead. I'm fine with a game having a different price in another region. I am willing to pay the difference as long as I know the full price in USD prior to submitting it to my card. However, I couldn't even send a gift card! THAT is totally unacceptable for me. So, I hope that someone from Steam is actually reading this.
I have been a member and staunch supporter of Steam for over three years now. I had no complaints until now. If something costs more in another region then please allow me to pay the going rate in the destination region rather than to block my ability to transact entirely. This policy makes absolutely no sense and needs to be changed immediately.
As is, I now must apologize to my friend for getting his hopes up. I'm not looking forward to that conversation. My only other option at this point is to send him money via paypal or other third party. I'm not too keen on that idea. Feels like charity rather than an actual gift. This blocking policy stinks! Please change it ASAP! I'll be happy to pay the going rate for the game in the other region. I can live with that. But, telling me I cannot send a friend a gift is completely unacceptable!
Thank you for hearing me.
Adventure on, Phat

You do realize you can do gift Steam wallet funds right?
https://store.steampowered.com/digitalgiftcards/

[𝕙.𝕓𝕒𝕣𝕜𝕒𝕤]

Buy the game at a retailer and gift your friend the key.

https://gg.deals/game/ori-and-the-blind-forest-definitive-edition/
https://isthereanydeal.com/game/oriandblindforestdefinitiveedition/info/

[Cathulhu]

h.barkas, your recommendation is about three years late.
And i would remove the first link as it advertises keyshop stores known to scam publishers and their customers.

[Com Nguoi]

You can buy games on HumbleBundle for example and gift it to him