Steam prices in Argentina and Turkey skyrocketed +2900%!
As announced a month ago, starting November 20, 2023. Steam has implemented a new pricing policy for Latin America and the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). As a result, prices for some games have jumped by hundreds and thousands of percent, writes PC Gamer.
Among other adjustments, starting November 20, the US dollar became the currency for Argentina and Turkey on Steam, instead of Argentine pesos and Turkish liras. This is due to the significant inflation rates in these countries, 185% in Argentina and close to 60% in Turkey, which forces developers to constantly adjust regional prices.
As a result, prices have risen by hundreds and sometimes thousands of percent. This is especially noticeable for indie games, which used to cost a pittance in Argentina and Turkey. For example, the price of the popular Stardew Valley has increased by +2900%. In the case of AAA games, for example, Far Cry 5, we are talking about +240%.
Of course, the price increase did not affect all games equally, with Baldur’s Gate 3 going up only 24%, from $28.25 to $35. Starfield also went up by 24%, from $33.91 to $42. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III also went up, from $56.52 to $70. But this doesn’t stop users from Argentina and Turkey from making a shitstorm on the Internet and writing about the “End of Steam”.
In addition to the price increase, Argentina also has a draconian tax on purchases on Steam – 100%! According to users, you buy one game for yourself and another for the government.
Interestingly, Argentina and Turkey were used by the Russians to circumvent sanctions imposed by some gaming companies. Of course, the voices of Argentines and Turks offended by Valve were joined by the voices of Russians who were offended twice. This has never happened before, and it’s happening again!