Digital distribution was supposed to solve a lot of things, and make software purchasing a hell of a lot more conveniant in the process. And while it remains conveniant for many people, the new model seems to have hit a major snag as game publishers and now software developers are a bit resiliant to charge the same prices to consumers in different regions around the world. News.com.au reports that Australians are paying up to five times for the exact same software offered elsewhere. From News.com.au...
....gamers who visit the Steam and Electronic Arts websites are charged up to five times more to download popular titles like Medal Of Honour: Airborne - which Australians can buy and download for $99.95, while users in the US pay just $21.15 ($US19.95).
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has spoken to News.com.au saying it is unable to stop region pricing as the practise doesn't break any trade laws, so it looks like it's something we're going to endure for a while yet. Be sure to check out the News.com.au news item as they've compiled a big list of games, creative software, and other productive programs showing the huge discrepancy in prices from the US, Australia, and the UK. If I could summarise that table, I would say that:
1: Australian Gamers get hit pretty hard by Electronic Arts. I know it's pretty unfair to single out EA on Steam though as many other publishers there are doing the same too.
2: The UK have it worse than us, overall. The prices they pay for creative software? Ouch.
The Solution
The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so...
Email Valve and let them know that you won't purchase software from them until the prices are fair. Tell them that you will instead purchase the same games as boxed copies directly from online games stores (which are usually quite cheap).
Tell them we'll pirate their
Tell them we'll pirate their frikken games instead. Piracy isn't hurting the industry, the reason for piracy is.
PlayAsia is a godsend.
There is never a good reason
There is never a good reason to pirate software.
It's a joke
The comments at story are hilarious. The guy who says that travelling overseas just to buy the same software because it works out cheaper that way?! That really says it all.
I find it hard to believe
I find it hard to believe this doesn't break trade laws. They're increasing the prices on their digital delivery sites because they have distribution agreements with PC distributors over here. These publishers (EA and Activision) have a physical presence in this country.