Prices in Argentina and Turkey Increased by Up to 4298%: 'End of Steam in These Countries'
Argentine and Turkish users of Steam cannot be satisfied with the removal of their currency on the platform. As of today, they have to pay significantly more for video games.
Turkish and Argentine PC gamers are waking up to a new reality today. Following the withdrawal of their native currencies from Steam and the introduction of the U.S. dollar, game prices have skyrocketed. Some say outright that the new cost of buying a given title is more than their monthly salary.
A new reality for Turkish and Argentine users of Steam
As of today, payments in U.S. dollars are valid on Valve's platform in the aforementioned countries. The move was announced at the end of October.
- Let's point out that both Turkey and Argentina are experiencing high inflation.
- Previous prices for games on Steam in these countries were low enough for foreign users that some were eager to "go shopping" in these countries via VPN.
- The owner of Steam explained that the reason for the currency change is the instability of the Turkish lira and the Argentine peso. Besides, it was hard for Valve to maintain proper payment methods in these markets..
However, such arguments are unlikely to appeal to Turks and Argentines. Especially since in extreme cases, the prices of games have increased by up to several thousand percent.
There is an ongoing discussion, in which there is talk of the end of Steam in these countries. To illustrate the situation, let's quote two cases described by the local players.
One Argentinian wrote that as recently as yesterday he spent 46,000 pesos (around $110) on games from Steam. Now, taking into account the new prices, he would pay as much as 701 thousand pesos, or some $2000.
A Turkish gamer, on the other hand mentions spending just over two thousand liras (about $70) on dozens of titles. He then added that now Psychonauts 2 alone would cost him 1,700 liras (about $60).
One Argentina-based X user prepared a table that shows, among other things, the percentage increase in the price of each game. It shows that the price has risen the most for Civilization VI - it increased by a dizzying 4298%.
Will Valve react?
There is no denying that the situation is bad for local users. If the price of a single game exceeds a monthly paycheck, it's no wonder that gamers may increasingly abandon the services of Steam.
Valve has so far not responded to these voices. Perhaps in the next few days the giant will make some attempt to stabilize the situation. We can only wait for more news on the matter and sympathize with Argentine and Turkish players.
