ESO+ regional price for Steam in South American countries has increased by +2900% (too much)

Lazuli
Lazuli
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As you may have heard or experienced, Steam prices in many South American and Middle East countries switched from local currency to USD on November 20th.

Steam has suggested a price for developers to automate the transformation, but that price is much MUCH higher to what they used to be.

ESO+ used to cost me 130 ARS/month (Argentine Peso), but now it costs 9 USD/month, which is >3230 ARS.

Needless to say from 130 to 3200 is quite the jump, and frankly none will afford ESO+ the affected countries if it continues that way.

I know ESO devs probably just applied Steam's suggestions, yet it is up to the developers to use it or not. They can set the price manually to whatever they want.

This is a plea for ESO devs to please consider the pricing of ESO+ in the two new pricing regions: LATAM - USD (South America) and MENA - USD (Middle East). You have always been compassionate and open with the community and I hope you'll see this through.

Thank you and see you all in Tamriel.
Edited by ZOS_Icy on December 1, 2023 6:19PM
  • Alienoutlaw
    Alienoutlaw
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    this is inline with the cost worldwide,
    most of us have been paying $9 since the start, 130 ARS equates to $0.36.
    also because of this some ppl were using a vpn to buy crowns/ESO+ etc etc for way below the normal cost.
  • belial5221_ESO
    belial5221_ESO
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    It's nothing to do with ZOS setting regional prices,it's the government of different countries destroying their monetary systems,causing extreme inflation.Vote differently next election and hope they will change things to reduce inflation.Only thing that can be done,else the scammers will buy in other countries again and resell high,which was part of the issue with gold/crown site sellers,and all the bots.
  • Lazuli
    Lazuli
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    @Alienoutlaw
    You can't use a VPN with steam to change countries for a long time now (that was years back).
    For the past 2 or 3 years Steam, you can only change your country by entering a credit card or payment method tied to the new location.

    @belial5221_ESO
    Regardless of the politics (which has no place here really), ZOS has the final say to state their price according to what people in some regions can really afford. Maybe for some, 8 USD is nothing, but for others, it's more than what they make in a whole month.

  • Trier_Sero
    Trier_Sero
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    Oh you guys got lucky, it costs 15$ here in Uzbekistan, a country with average salary of 250$ and gdp per capita of 2500$.
    Edited by Trier_Sero on November 28, 2023 7:11PM
  • Alienoutlaw
    Alienoutlaw
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    @Lazuli

    as i stated $9 is the "global" price not $0.36 :)
  • Lexalious
    Lexalious
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    @Lazuli

    as i stated $9 is the "global" price not $0.36 :)

    you should take a look into "purchasing power parity"

    Its not about us paying less than you, its about us being able to pay for this. And for ZOS, it will essentially mean more customers, paying less sure, but more income overall as the new steam changes is going to effect many regions. Its in the publisher of the game's rights to adjust the prices for specific countries accordingly.
  • Luckylancer
    Luckylancer
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    It's nothing to do with ZOS setting regional prices,it's the government of different countries destroying their monetary systems,causing extreme inflation.Vote differently next election and hope they will change things to reduce inflation.Only thing that can be done,else the scammers will buy in other countries again and resell high,which was part of the issue with gold/crown site sellers,and all the bots.

    It is chaotic nature that decides who is disabled at the end. But disabled gets more help.

    It is not about f*cked up goverments. It is other's desicions to help poorer people. "Puchasing power parity" matters and if everyone pays what they can afford, it is more just.
  • Sakiri
    Sakiri
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    Some countries' economies are trash. That's why local currency was great. Poorer countries paid less because it was relative to income.

    I don't use Steam for ESO, and I pay 109 SEK(Swedish Krona) a month. Steam going to USD is a pain in my butt.
  • XSTRONG
    XSTRONG
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    In Sweden Eso+ cost 134 swedish crowns monthly which is about 12-13 usd
    Edited by XSTRONG on November 28, 2023 5:55PM
  • Sakiri
    Sakiri
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    naj761hasb0a.jpg
    XSTRONG wrote: »
    In Sweden Eso+ cost 134 swedish crowns monthly which is about 12-13 usd

    Wasn't what I was charged.
    Edited by Sakiri on November 28, 2023 5:59PM
  • XSTRONG
    XSTRONG
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    Sakiri wrote: »
    naj761hasb0a.jpg
    XSTRONG wrote: »
    In Sweden Eso+ cost 134 swedish crowns monthly which is about 12-13 usd

    Wasn't what I was charged.

    Mine cost 134kr might be because im on ps5?

    If I buy eso+ For a year it gets down to 85kr per month
  • i11ionward
    i11ionward
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    Lazuli wrote: »
    As you may have heard or experienced, Steam prices in many South American and Middle East countries switched from local currency to USD on November 20th.

    Steam has suggested a price for developers to automate the transformation, but that price is much MUCH higher to what they used to be.

    ESO+ used to cost me 130 ARS/month (Argentine Peso), but now it costs 9 USD/month, which is >3230 ARS.

    Needless to say from 130 to 3200 is quite the jump, and frankly none will afford ESO+ the affected countries if it continues that way.

    I know ESO devs probably just applied Steam's suggestions, yet it is up to the developers to use it or not. They can set the price manually to whatever they want.

    This is a plea for ESO devs to please consider the pricing of ESO+ in the two new pricing regions: LATAM - USD (South America) and MENA - USD (Middle East). You have always been compassionate and open with the community and I hope you'll see this through.

    Thank you and see you all in Tamriel.

    I am sorry that you personally are in this situation.
    But it seems to me that the situation is not as bad as in some other countries. For example, I live in a country where GDP (nominal) per capita is 4000-5000$ (wikipedia data), and for me 9$ is not such a big price per month, I can afford to spend that much on a game. Just for example 10$ in my country is about breakfast (eggs, toast, sausage), lunch (chicken soup, bread) and dinner (potatoes or porridge with meat) for two people, if you cook your own food at home.
    Argentina according to wikipedia has a GDP (nominal) per capita of $13,297, and it's really hard for me to imagine that compared to my country that $9$ is too much for the average Argentine to spend on a game.
    Of course statistics do not reflect the real situation, so I apologize for my statement.
  • Lexalious
    Lexalious
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    i11ionward wrote: »
    Lazuli wrote: »
    As you may have heard or experienced, Steam prices in many South American and Middle East countries switched from local currency to USD on November 20th.

    Steam has suggested a price for developers to automate the transformation, but that price is much MUCH higher to what they used to be.

    ESO+ used to cost me 130 ARS/month (Argentine Peso), but now it costs 9 USD/month, which is >3230 ARS.

    Needless to say from 130 to 3200 is quite the jump, and frankly none will afford ESO+ the affected countries if it continues that way.

    I know ESO devs probably just applied Steam's suggestions, yet it is up to the developers to use it or not. They can set the price manually to whatever they want.

    This is a plea for ESO devs to please consider the pricing of ESO+ in the two new pricing regions: LATAM - USD (South America) and MENA - USD (Middle East). You have always been compassionate and open with the community and I hope you'll see this through.

    Thank you and see you all in Tamriel.

    I am sorry that you personally are in this situation.
    But it seems to me that the situation is not as bad as in some other countries. For example, I live in a country where GDP (nominal) per capita is 4000-5000$ (wikipedia data), and for me 9$ is not such a big price per month, I can afford to spend that much on a game. Just for example 10$ in my country is about breakfast (eggs, toast, sausage), lunch (chicken soup, bread) and dinner (potatoes or porridge with meat) for two people, if you cook your own food at home.
    Argentina according to wikipedia has a GDP (nominal) per capita of $13,297, and it's really hard for me to imagine that compared to my country that $9$ is too much for the average Argentine to spend on a game.
    Of course statistics do not reflect the real situation, so I apologize for my statement.

    gdp per capita means the whole country's output divided equally to the whole population. you should take a look into the average wage or minimum wage statistics. for this argentina example the minimum wage is 400usd/month. compared to the gpd that is 13300 usd. 9$ for a person with barely above minimum wage would be a real issue in this example. in countries with ongoing economic crises, working for or barely above minimum wage is optimal as well unfortunately.

    so in short your gdp per capita statistic could work if the country was doing fine distrubiting the income of its residents, to the residents, well a.k.a in optimal cases, which this is not

    im talking purely from experience since i also live in a country that is going through similar stuff, not an expert.
    Edited by Lexalious on November 28, 2023 8:49PM
  • Rebkans2
    Rebkans2
    Soul Shriven
    I mostly agree with this post. Since the new prices in Steam, the gaming in Argentina is nearly dead. I know that the prices depends on the developers and Im not angry with them because they did a big effort to keep them in our currency for so long depite the economic problems that the country has until now and I know that there is a new process where the prices in USD will be different in LATAM and Middle East compared with North American USD and they will depend in what the developers says.
    All this change is awful for argentinians, in my case, I dont know if I will be able to renue my ESO+ when it expires or buy new content but I know that Im not the only one in this situation. Of course the developres are not responsible for the economic situation of the country thanks to the gross politics that we had the last years and that made us end like this and it will take time to fix it.

    I agree that the older price were so cheaper compared with the rest of the world but the new prices are brutal for us now.
    But anyway, I hope the devs can at least read this post that you wrotte so they have another perspective of this situation.
    Thank you!


    Finally, I hope everyone is having a good day/night!
    Edited by Rebkans2 on November 28, 2023 9:18PM
  • Scarefish
    Scarefish
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    I agree with OP. It's bad marketing practice to universalize a subscription price around the world. If you look at just about any successful subscription service out there (Netflix, Amazon... even YouTube Premium), they lower the price for poorer countries, and this is simply a matter of supply and demand. Poorer countries have very little spare income to spend on premium services, so if you're going to ask one of these countries to fork up the inflated North American prices, they'll cancel it.

    If you're in a California beachside house calling for Joey Asbestos halfway across the planet to fork up his life savings - something you earn each week for doing something likely less-than-intelligent - then you have a severely hindered world view.
  • ArchMikem
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    this is inline with the cost worldwide,
    most of us have been paying $9 since the start, 130 ARS equates to $0.36.
    also because of this some ppl were using a vpn to buy crowns/ESO+ etc etc for way below the normal cost.

    I'm sure EVERYONE in North America would love if ESO+ was that dirt cheap. My annual sub just renewed for $150.
    CP2,000 Master Explorer - AvA One Star General - Console Peasant - The Clan
    Quest Objective: OMG Go Talk To That Kitty!
  • NotaDaedraWorshipper
    NotaDaedraWorshipper
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    This happened to Türkiye a year or two ago. Caused one of my friends to stop playing because he couldn't justify a price that was pretty much the same as his rent. Because he did housing a lot, it was kinda mandatory to have ESO+ :(
    [Lie] Of course! I don't even worship Daedra!
  • Sakiri
    Sakiri
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    XSTRONG wrote: »
    Sakiri wrote: »
    [
    XSTRONG wrote: »
    In Sweden Eso+ cost 134 swedish crowns monthly which is about 12-13 usd

    Wasn't what I was charged.

    Mine cost 134kr might be because im on ps5?

    If I buy eso+ For a year it gets down to 85kr per month

    Maybe. I'm on PC. PS5 requires PSN no?
  • belial5221_ESO
    belial5221_ESO
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    Like I said,people would take advantage,and would buy from Argentina for super cheap,and the gold/crown sellers and scammers would return.It would mean alot less income for game,and a real decline in development.You don't need eso+ or crowns to enjoy game.People can gift items,you can get what you want when you can afford it.I don't have eso+ or buy crowns but twice,cause can't afford it,but can play game still and enjoy it.
  • ArchMikem
    ArchMikem
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    You don't need eso+ or crowns to enjoy game.People can gift items,you can get what you want when you can afford it.I don't have eso+ or buy crowns but twice,cause can't afford it,but can play game still and enjoy it.

    To help understand, a LOT, and I mean a vast majority of people believe the ESO+ Craft Bag is, (or at least feels) mandatory. Once you experience it, it's absolute torture to go back to playing without it. The increases in bag space, housing furniture slots etc is also very nice.
    CP2,000 Master Explorer - AvA One Star General - Console Peasant - The Clan
    Quest Objective: OMG Go Talk To That Kitty!
  • Trundik
    Trundik
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    Lazuli wrote: »

    ESO+ used to cost me 130 ARS/month (Argentine Peso), but now it costs 9 USD/month, which is >3230 ARS.
    Around 11 usd in Ukraine, bro. Country in war (most people had huge income drop, everything become expensive), nobody cares.

    Edited by Trundik on November 28, 2023 11:57PM
  • BigMakatak
    BigMakatak
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    Oh, well.
    Trundik wrote: »
    Around 11 usd in Ukraine, bro. Country in war (most people had huge income drop, everything become expensive), nobody cares.
    That's true.
  • i11ionward
    i11ionward
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    Lexalious wrote: »
    i11ionward wrote: »
    Lazuli wrote: »
    As you may have heard or experienced, Steam prices in many South American and Middle East countries switched from local currency to USD on November 20th.

    Steam has suggested a price for developers to automate the transformation, but that price is much MUCH higher to what they used to be.

    ESO+ used to cost me 130 ARS/month (Argentine Peso), but now it costs 9 USD/month, which is >3230 ARS.

    Needless to say from 130 to 3200 is quite the jump, and frankly none will afford ESO+ the affected countries if it continues that way.

    I know ESO devs probably just applied Steam's suggestions, yet it is up to the developers to use it or not. They can set the price manually to whatever they want.

    This is a plea for ESO devs to please consider the pricing of ESO+ in the two new pricing regions: LATAM - USD (South America) and MENA - USD (Middle East). You have always been compassionate and open with the community and I hope you'll see this through.

    Thank you and see you all in Tamriel.

    I am sorry that you personally are in this situation.
    But it seems to me that the situation is not as bad as in some other countries. For example, I live in a country where GDP (nominal) per capita is 4000-5000$ (wikipedia data), and for me 9$ is not such a big price per month, I can afford to spend that much on a game. Just for example 10$ in my country is about breakfast (eggs, toast, sausage), lunch (chicken soup, bread) and dinner (potatoes or porridge with meat) for two people, if you cook your own food at home.
    Argentina according to wikipedia has a GDP (nominal) per capita of $13,297, and it's really hard for me to imagine that compared to my country that $9$ is too much for the average Argentine to spend on a game.
    Of course statistics do not reflect the real situation, so I apologize for my statement.

    gdp per capita means the whole country's output divided equally to the whole population. you should take a look into the average wage or minimum wage statistics. for this argentina example the minimum wage is 400usd/month. compared to the gpd that is 13300 usd. 9$ for a person with barely above minimum wage would be a real issue in this example. in countries with ongoing economic crises, working for or barely above minimum wage is optimal as well unfortunately.

    so in short your gdp per capita statistic could work if the country was doing fine distrubiting the income of its residents, to the residents, well a.k.a in optimal cases, which this is not

    im talking purely from experience since i also live in a country that is going through similar stuff, not an expert.

    The minimum wage in my country is $180.
    13300$/5000$=2,66
    400$/180$=2,22
    I don't see any fundamental difference between the economic comparison of my country and Argentina, in any case Argentina has better indicators more than twice as much.

    Of course I agree that each country should have its own adequate regional price. But agree that the price of $0.36 per subscription is absolutely inadequate compared to other countries and this price forces people to use various illegal schemes.
  • ZOS_Icy
    ZOS_Icy
    mod
    Greetings,

    After further review we have decided to move this thread to a category we think is more appropriate for this topic.

    Thank you for your understanding.
    Staff Post
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