Steam’s Beefed-Up VPN Ban is Anti-Competitive & Could Even Encourage Piracy

CyberTech

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Steam has implemented new measures to prevent VPN users from spoofing their locations to buy games at cheaper prices available in other regions. While that's Steam's choice, it's an anti-consumer move that has the potential to increase piracy - or worse.

Steam is the world’s most popular gaming platform for good reason. It does its best to provide users with the best possible experience coupled with broadly reasonable pricing.

However, in common with many online services, it is possible to buy content from Steam for less than the locally advertised prices. All users need is a VPN that makes it appear they’re in a country where the prices are set lower and they can save money.

How many people exploit this method is unclear but this week Steam Database reported that Steam has taken new measures to outlaw the practice.

 

EndangeredPootis

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TBH this is a good way to teach people who pirate a lesson, there will be a even higher chance than the already high chance they will be infected by malware by pirating.

People who claim its "too expensive" honestly have no idea how expensive games used to be, they should be happy that they are as cheap as they are
 
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SeriousHoax

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TBH this is a good way to teach people who pirate a lesson, there will be a even higher chance than the already high chance they will be infected by malware by pirating.
This is not related to piracy. Steam has different prices for different regions so many were exploiting that to buy some games at a cheaper price, not for free. But anyway fixing this is obviously the correct thing to do from steam's point of view.
 
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EndangeredPootis

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This is not related to piracy. Steam has different prices for different regions so many were exploiting that to buy some games at a cheaper price, not for free. But anyway fixing this is obviously the correct thing to do from steam's point of view.
I know it isnt, im simply agreeing with the post now when they have fixed the ability to do that there is an actual chance, as the twitter post said, people will pirate more.
 

Ink

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Nightwalker

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Well I dont like this very much, but it is still better than to deal with higher prices in the regional store (Brazil) because of foreigners using VPN to save some cash.

Horizon Zero Dawn was at 99 BRL at its launch, but because of some VPN users it was ramped for 229 BRL (the minimum wage is 1045 BRL).

Source:


In a nutshell, my HZD PC play will have to wait.
 
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