Prices are too high in some countries

BrokenString · February 2019

Hello everybody! Today I'll take you on a journey to a third world country!

Short version:
We earn less and we pay more.

Long version:
Ever since I started playing this game I wanted to play an Imperial as I did in Morrowind, Oblivion and Skyrim! But I can't.... Got Eso on sale 50% off for 150 and payed in 3x. Lets look at the prices. Minimum wage is close to 1k, US is higher. US 1 month sub is 15, here is 60. The imperial edition upgrade costs 85, that's around 8,7% of minimum wage, it's expensive af! It might not seem much but after paying 800 for rent, 5 a liter of gasoline, 300 for water and electricity, 200 for internet and in my case 1k a month for college education... in the end theres not much money left, if any and I consider myself fortunate, there are a lot of families that live with 1k a month income. 85 for a digital race in a game is too much, maybe if the price was the same as it is in the US in numbers, it would be worth it. It's just too much, I keep waiting for sales but still, the price here is too high for the economy of a third world country. Fair would be earn less, pay less but it has always been the other way around. I know that the USD is worth more, so selling ESO PLUS for 15 here would decrease profits, or not. Maybe with a fair price more people would buy it, I dont know... Just want to play Imperial, but I cannot and will not pay 85 for that.

So guys, dont complain when you can earn more and pay 11,00 a month for ESO PLUS with a 12 month pack. And sorry if bad english

bluebird · February 2019

I completely sympathize with the struggle, but ZOS needs to charge for their products at a rate that returns the resources they spend on it, also covers the advertisement and other costs, and generates enough profit to keep higher-ups happy (at least happy enough so that they don't start sacking staff en-masse like we saw in some gaming companies).

I have no idea why it would cost more in your region though (apart from some variation due to exchange rates), perhaps due to the regulations and distributions specific to your country? The reason it can't be cheaper based on your region is because firstly there are rich and poor people in every country, and secondly because people would just exploit it with VPN and claim they are from the cheaper region.

That said, if it is the Imperial Edition that you're interested in, you can purchase the Imperial Upgrade ingame for crowns or for gold via crown-store-gifting. So you can convert the gold you get from just your basic game access into actual fresh game content by exchanging it with other players. ZOS also run gifting promotions like the current one which encourages gifting too, and since I see you're on Steam, you can also get Steam gifts, so someone could buy you the game or the Chapter you're looking for. Hope you can find a workaround that works for you!

BaylorCorvette · February 2019

Companies are in business to make money, furthermore this is a publicly traded company and as such they answer to shareholders. At the end of the day if the company is not turning a project they are likely to shut down the project. A video game is a luxury item and if someone is living at or near the poverty line, they shouldn't be concerning themselves with a luxury item such as a video game, but rather work on self improvement in ones knowledge/expertise/craft/etc to propel them self and achieve a higher standard of living.

Acrolas · February 2019

BaylorCorvette wrote: »

furthermore this is a publicly traded company and as such they answer to shareholders.

Incorrect.

DeadlyRecluse · February 2019

Localization and currencies is usually a mess, and usually not to the advantage of the foreign consumer.

If I recall correctly, they also only update their "exchange rate" for their prices every 6 months or so, which is a pretty long time in terms of currency valuation, especially for smaller countries--I'm no expert though.

BaylorCorvette · February 2019

Acrolas wrote: »

BaylorCorvette wrote: »

furthermore this is a publicly traded company and as such they answer to shareholders.

Incorrect.

I stand corrected, I thought they were public.

However, at the end of the day the the company is still seeking profit and a loss leader strategy is not going to be an approach to take for an MMO.

mairwen85 · February 2019

As far as I understand it, zenimax is a privately traded corporation with limited liability subsidiaries through which it trades exclusively. Compartmentalised stocks are open on those to small distribution that satisfies corporate compliance.

That means it operates as many autonomous bodies within the greater whole. Where loss is suffered, gains may be made up elsewhere at cost to individual franchises. The increase in price for elsweyr may be in part to make up for potential losses on fo76 -or other market losses in other areas of the flabby whole... Hmm just realised how that sounded.

Different countries also have different distribution, marketing and trade rules that come at varying expense. It's important to understand that profit benefits are rarely passed on the consumer, but tariffs, taxes, and expenses usually are. Ah, capitalism.

BrokenString · February 2019

BaylorCorvette wrote: »

Companies are in business to make money, furthermore this is a publicly traded company and as such they answer to shareholders. At the end of the day if the company is not turning a project they are likely to shut down the project. A video game is a luxury item and if someone is living at or near the poverty line, they shouldn't be concerning themselves with a luxury item such as a video game, but rather work on self improvement in ones knowledge/expertise/craft/etc to propel them self and achieve a higher standard of living.

Clearly you have never lived in a third world country. There's no such thing as "self improvement", if you are born poor, you will die poor except that 0.01% that become actors, singers or pro athletes. I'm a middle class going through expensive law school and I know I'll never be rich even if I become a very successful lawyer. My point is that at the current price it is outrageous expensive for a videogame DLC. If it was 20 or 25 that would be fine. It doesn't matter if it is the greatest thing in the world, if it is overpriced I'll feel scammed since I have to work so hard for my money.

It is like you're saying that I'm not allowed to enjoy things as you do

mairwen85 · February 2019

@BrokenString that really sucks. I sympathise greatly. Do you just play the base game and wait for offers before you upgrade, or have you just decided you're stuck in 2014 forever?

It's hardly fair trade, but dammit, that's the smug face of corporate America.

BrokenString · February 2019

mairwen85 wrote: »

@BrokenString that really sucks. I sympathise greatly. Do you just play the base game and wait for offers before you upgrade, or have you just decided you're stuck in 2014 forever?

It's hardly fair trade, but dammit, that's the smug face of corporate America.

@mairwen85 I got the gold edition a while back because it was at 50% off at the time, 119,95 and I had the option to pay 40 a month. It seemed like a good deal because it came with a lot of content, but 85,00 for a race... As you can see in the screenshot Elsweyr costs 306,00, maybe in another 5 years I'll set foot there.

russelmmendoza · February 2019

I'm actually thankful to steam, without them I would have not been able to play eso at all.
You see, beth??????, I'm not gonna actually name the company, dont accept payment from our country.
I would have love to buy fallout76, no matter how much everyone else hates it, if it was available on steam.

BrokenString · February 2019

I just wish that the prices would be somewhat equal. If in the US it costs 59,90 for Elsweyr, it should cost 59,90 here, not 306,00. I know that the USD is worth more but it doesn't feel right, 306,00 is 1/3 of our minimum wage, how much 59,90 is of yours?

Darth_Trumpious · February 2019

Don't talk about economy here with people from first world.

I had a similar question like you did and posted it on forum years ago; And you got two types of responses:

1) Economists or company defenders that are going to teach you a lesson to justify the pricing and then preach you the greatness of life
2) Toxic lunatics screaming about "if you are poor you should work like a slave instead of playing games; this is a luxury product made for first world countries and you don't deserve it" etc.

TL;DR: People don't really care about this kind of situation

myskyrim26 · February 2019

Life is too bad in some countries... Salaries are too small... I speak of my country, unfortunately.

Lelldorano · February 2019

There are options other than buying on steam, even if you bought the base game there.

I also got the game cheap on a steam sale but get ESO+ from here as the prices on steam in my location are way higher, also for crowns if I ever felt the need.

As for chapters, there are plenty of resellers that sell them cheap. Just make sure they are reputable, I use IsThereAnyDeal.com

BrokenString · February 2019

Darth_Trumpious wrote: »

Don't talk about economy here with people from first world.

I had a similar question like you did and posted it on forum years ago; And you got two types of responses:

1) Economists or company defenders that are going to teach you a lesson to justify the pricing and then preach you the greatness of life
2) Toxic lunatics screaming about "if you are poor you should work like a slave instead of playing games; this is a luxury product made for first world countries and you don't deserve it" etc.

TL;DR: People don't really care about this kind of situation

I feel you man, but I get it. It's hard to understand someone else's life, specially if they have an "easier" better life. They work hard and get rewarded, we work harder and get scraps compared to them. It's just bad luck being born in a s***hole corrupt country. Before someone screams JUST LEAVE THEN, no, it's not easy, bureaucracy play a big part and you need a LOT of money saved up just to go be poor in another country because you are 20 years behind the people that were born there.

AlienatedGoat · February 2019

@BrokenString what country do you live in? and which server do you play on?

UntrustedExistenz · February 2019

Imagine living in my country and multiplying every price in USD x4. <crying in native language>
Minimal wage 1600, eso + 50, 21k crown 560, elsweyr digital upgrade 160.

BrokenString · February 2019

AlienatedGoat wrote: »

@BrokenString what country do you live in? and which server do you play on?

Brazil, one of the most corrupt and violent countries in the world, if not the most. I play in the NA server, whisp me at @Tatius_Valerius for a BG buddy.

Petrus · February 2019

Hey.

I will throw in my 2 cents, please note that I'm not taking a jab at you, just trying to give you really good advice.

While I do agree that the exchange rates are not favorable, as a fellow Brazilian, I disagree with most of your other statements.

First of all, Zenimax is not a charity. They are in no way obliged to offer more favorable prices in any region, especially considering that games are hardly necessity goods. If right now you can't afford them, you will survive just fine.

Secondly, let me tell you, I was not born rich, on the contrary. When I was a small kid, my family went broke. Literally. I studied in a regular, poor person public school. Worked very hard all my life, went through serious health issues, and notwithstanding, I managed to study in one of Latin America's best law schools, which I paid for from my own pocket. After that, I kept studying like a mad man and working hard, and now I have a comfortable life, with more than enough money to buy all the digital, useless thingies I want. I own every deluxe edition of this game (except the last one), and of many, many others.

More than that, most of my friends who went through the same situation are just as fine as I am today, or even better.

Therefore, this talk about "I live in a poor, corrupt country, there's no chance for me" is pure b.s. Sorry, but Brazil is far, far away from being the terrible place you describe. Don't victimize yourself and your life will be a lot better and more sucessful.

Instead of complaining about how exchange rates make a luxury item too expensive for you, you really should follow the wise advice given to you by BaylorCorvette a few posts above, and instead of wasting time playing MMOs, just use the enormous amount of hours you will save to study and work hard - I guarantee that , in a few years, you will have money to spare.

College is a precious time, that will never come back. Give your best, study instead of wasting 3 or more hours of your day playing MMOs. You can do that later, when you are older and your life is more stable.

Other than that, R$ 190,00 is peanuts nowadays. You will barely buy *one* book for your Law studies with that kind of money.

I wish you well.

God bless you all, and sorry for the wall of text and the bad English.

BaylorCorvette · February 2019

BrokenString wrote: »

BaylorCorvette wrote: »

Companies are in business to make money, furthermore this is a publicly traded company and as such they answer to shareholders. At the end of the day if the company is not turning a project they are likely to shut down the project. A video game is a luxury item and if someone is living at or near the poverty line, they shouldn't be concerning themselves with a luxury item such as a video game, but rather work on self improvement in ones knowledge/expertise/craft/etc to propel them self and achieve a higher standard of living.

Clearly you have never lived in a third world country. There's no such thing as "self improvement", if you are born poor, you will die poor except that 0.01% that become actors, singers or pro athletes. I'm a middle class going through expensive law school and I know I'll never be rich even if I become a very successful lawyer. My point is that at the current price it is outrageous expensive for a videogame DLC. If it was 20 or 25 that would be fine. It doesn't matter if it is the greatest thing in the world, if it is overpriced I'll feel scammed since I have to work so hard for my money.

It is like you're saying that I'm not allowed to enjoy things as you do

Absolutely enjoy what you want. However at the same time it is very foolish and selfish to live outside of ones means, especially when it is something as frivolous as a video game. No one NEEDS to be playing video games, it is purely a luxury item.

Another thing to consider is tariffs. I know at one point in time Nintendo brifely pulled out of Brazil due to high tariffs on video games. I'm not sure what the tariff situation is right now, but that will certainly lead to "unfair pricing."

https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/10/7524759/nintendo-brazil-wii-u-3ds-tariffs-taxes

Petrus wrote: »

Hey.

I will throw in my 2 cents, please note that I'm not taking a jab at you, just trying to give you really good advice.

While I do agree that the exchange rates are not favorable, as a fellow Brazilian, I disagree with most of your other statements.
.

Random question, are you in Yellow Fever? If so I really enjoy PvPing with y'all. (I ask because it is a Brazilian PvP guild).

AlienatedGoat · February 2019

BrokenString wrote: »

AlienatedGoat wrote: »

@BrokenString what country do you live in? and which server do you play on?

Brazil, one of the most corrupt and violent countries in the world, if not the most. I play in the NA server, whisp me at @Tatius_Valerius for a BG buddy.

Sent you the Imperial Upgrade. Now you can make that Imperial and make battle for your homeland.

For the Glorious Empire!

Ackwalan · February 2019

The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money. The prices vary from Country to Country because each Country has it's own laws and taxes.

bluebird · February 2019

AlienatedGoat wrote: »

BrokenString wrote: »

AlienatedGoat wrote: »

@BrokenString what country do you live in? and which server do you play on?

Brazil, one of the most corrupt and violent countries in the world, if not the most. I play in the NA server, whisp me at @Tatius_Valerius for a BG buddy.

Sent you the Imperial Upgrade. Now you can make that Imperial and make battle for your homeland.

For the Glorious Empire!

Aw, that's awesome, you're the real MVP

Bet you made OP's day!

BrokenString · February 2019

I want to send a big thank you to @AlienatedGoat, he sent me the imperial upgrade as a gift. You sir made my day, I am truly thankful and astonished by your generosity. I'll finally be able to play as an imperial and not pretend to be one!

jaws343 · February 2019

BrokenString wrote: »

I just wish that the prices would be somewhat equal. If in the US it costs 59,90 for Elsweyr, it should cost 59,90 here, not 306,00. I know that the USD is worth more but it doesn't feel right, 306,00 is 1/3 of our minimum wage, how much 59,90 is of yours?

I am not quite sure what you mean by this. Minimum wage Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly? Context is important here. And the 306 is US $s? Or local currency? Because that is important to know as well. And if it is $59.90 in the US, if the local currency exchange rate is 2x US currency, $59.90 would actually equal just under $30, and you would actually need to pay double the number value of the US cost to equal it.

Essentially what I am trying to get at is without knowing the exchange rate, the 59.90, and 306 are just numbers with no relationship between them.

Oakenaxe · February 2019

BrokenString wrote: »

I want to send a big thank you to @AlienatedGoat, he sent me the imperial upgrade as a gift. You sir made my day, I am truly thankful and astonished by your generosity. I'll finally be able to play as an imperial and not pretend to be one!

What a beautiful thing to see!! I always liked goats

I totally feel your pain, @BrokenString , as I'm also a Brazilian. And I gotta tell ya, worse than 1st world people defending meritocracy, is 3rd world people standing for it aswell; to the point of saying that you're "victimizing" yourself. Sad.

But anyway, at least we have the option to buy content for gold via Crown Exchange. It takes time, but seems the more attainable solution for people like us. I only have the base game and the expansions bought so far, both on Steam's christmas sales hahaha