Valve puts the squeeze on Steam Store VPN shoppers

[HEXUS]

In some more pleasant news, you can now sync your Steam library with GeForce NOW.

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[Spud1]

Good.

VPN fraud is a big problem, even more so as most people don't even see it as fraud! (which is it, you are obtaining goods through misrepresentation/deception/etc by providing a fake address, and/or faking your location).

Difficult for the industry to deal with really but this is a step closer to closing this down, which can only be a good thing.

[SciFi]

Good.

VPN fraud is a big problem, even more so as most people don't even see it as fraud! (which is it, you are obtaining goods through misrepresentation/deception/etc by providing a fake address, and faking your location).

Difficult for the industry to deal with really but this is a step closer to closing this down, which can only be a good thing.

Or, you know.. they could just release the product everywhere at the same time...

[Spud1]

Or, you know.. they could just release the product everywhere at the same time...

That's not the major issue here though - its the price discrepancy. Digital products are often priced according to the local market - which gives people on low wages in weaker economies the opportunity to play games/watch netflix etc. It's a sensible pricing methodology that is beneficial to consumers in those markets and allows the vendor to keep selling.

Taking advantage of this as comparatively rich westerner (well, or as anyone, but you know what i mean!) is shameful fraud, and almost as bad as piracy imo.

[jimbouk]

Taking advantage of this as comparatively rich westerner (well, or as anyone, but you know what i mean!) is shameful fraud, and almost as bad as piracy imo.

Yes if you do go to a different market. No if you're supposed to be part of a common market.

[LSG501]

Or, you know.. they could just release the product everywhere at the same time...

and at the same prices...

Some of the reasons for vpn use is that certain places have far cheaper pricing than the 'rich' western countries....

[Jonj1611]

Won't people just create new steam accounts saying they are in different countries? A pain to manage but as its the same countries with the biggest savings you would only need 5 or 6 accounts

[ik9000]

just wait until a certain political shift happens. you know, that we are not allowed to mention because mods get upset and irrational about, even though it's a major event that will affect us all. But when it does just watch how our prices rocket when we won't be allowed to use other online markets even though they're just over there and we used to be able to. Then say if you think regional pricing is a good and fair thing.

[QuorTek]

with VPN the fraud is not so much when the game get released or whatever, but having a way to commit tax fraud and more.

[cheesemp]

just wait until a certain political shift happens. you know, that we are not allowed to mention because mods get upset and irrational about, even though it's a major event that will affect us all. But when it does just watch how our prices rocket when we won't be allowed to use other online markets even though they're just over there and we used to be able to. Then say if you think regional pricing is a good and fair thing.

I say this as someone who very much like's the single market (And wants to stay) but it doesn't apply to copyright/digital goods which allows Music, games and video's etc to be priced different across the EU (or at least that's my understanding).

[ik9000]

I say this as someone who very much like's the single market (And wants to stay) but it doesn't apply to copyright/digital goods which allows Music, games and video's etc to be priced different across the EU (or at least that's my understanding).

priced differently sure, but you still have the right to choose to buy them from another state without penalty or additional import tax. EDit provided sales tax has been charged. If no tax (eg channel islands) then they can charge VAT on import - a loophole they plugged a few years back.

[Tunnah]

Good.

VPN fraud is a big problem, even more so as most people don't even see it as fraud! (which is it, you are obtaining goods through misrepresentation/deception/etc by providing a fake address, and/or faking your location).

Difficult for the industry to deal with really but this is a step closer to closing this down, which can only be a good thing.

People trying to save a couple of quid on games doesn't really feel crusade-worthy

[Spud1]

People trying to save a couple of quid on games doesn't really feel crusade-worthy

Crusade worthy, maybe not. That doesn't change the fact it's wrong, it damages the industry ultimately helps keep the prices high for everyone else. Doesn't matter whether you are committing fraud to take £3 from a company or £3000, its still a horrible thing to do.

[Yoyoyo69]

Good.

VPN fraud is a big problem, even more so as most people don't even see it as fraud! (which is it, you are obtaining goods through misrepresentation/deception/etc by providing a fake address, and faking your location).

Difficult for the industry to deal with really but this is a step closer to closing this down, which can only be a good thing.

Or, you know.. they could just release the product everywhere at the same time...

Yeah I agree it's not entirely straightforward and corporations are renowned for exploiting customers, then trying flip it and blame others for their own greed.

In this instance it is abuse, mostly. I feel this is also connected with in game items. There are a huge amount of users buy CSGO cases from other regions fir a fraction of the price, then flipping them in another region for (or holding as they have essentially boosted its price).

[Yoyoyo69]

That's exactly what this change is aimed at. You have to have a card linked to your account from the region in question, there are reports gift cards from other regions work, I can't see any reason why they wouldn't.

[Tunnah]

Crusade worthy, maybe not. That doesn't change the fact it's wrong, it damages the industry ultimately helps keep the prices high for everyone else. Doesn't matter whether you are committing fraud to take £3 from a company or £3000, its still a horrible thing to do.

No sorry mate that's just not true, at all. You can't equate such a minor thing with something so massive. You end up lumping people in 2 very different circumstances into the same group, and it's insidious