Steam proves Australians are ripped off?

I was looking at Batman at local games stores aswell as online ones here in Australia. It seems to be retailing for around $90 AUD. I then looked at Steam. I just bought it for $49.99 USD, thats $58 AUD. It really is disgusting what we pay for games retail here in Australia. Thank god for Steam.

I also bought SF4 forless than half the current retail price, again through Steam.

Yep same as left for dead $29.95 USD on steam, $90 AUD in store.

depeneds on the exhange rate really, i lived in new zealand and steam was cheaper then retail with the rate being .80 cents but that droped all the way down to .50 yeah? its back up now

Good thing Im an ignorant American who doesnt care about Aussies.

Why are Australian prices higher? Are there import taxes or something?dnuggs40

Even internet purchases are subject to taxes in some countries...I don't know if this is the case in Australia (which is why I ask) but if it is I don't know why anybody would be mad at steam or game publishers...be mad at your government :P

Steam is good for the older games you can't find in stores anymore or they do a special thats too good to refuse. But not all is good there Grand theft auto Iv is 19.99 at futureshop (Canada) And steam sells it 49.99.

Why are Australian prices higher? Are there import taxes or something?dnuggs40

Because when our exchange rate was 2:1 it made sense, you guys pay $50 - $60 RRP and we payed somewhere around $100. Then the Australian dollar caught up with the US dollar but the prices never readjusted. It's a shame, but anyone can buy from D2D service or import for cheaper.

EDIT: Oh I should add that ever since JB Hi-Fi took on the monopolly that was EB Games, prices have been getting more and more competitive.

Here in Portugal (Southern/Western europe) it's even worse.

Retail pc games go for around 73$USD but the steam prices are even worse! I don't know how they sell anything at all. I mean they sold Bioshock for 88$USD when retail wqas at the usual 73... And they are still selling Mirror's edge for 73 when retail costs 29$USD.

The only games I even consider buying through steam are those really cheap exclusive mini-games like audiosurf (the only thing I ever bought from them). Even if the prices sre the same I still prefer retail though. I just like having something physical. Not to mention that if something happens to steam everything will be gone...

The higher prices are not helping them in any way that's for sure!

Australia gets the short end of every stick in the big pile of sticks we call life. off topic any news on the whole internet censorship thing?

Good thing Im an ignorant American who doesnt care about Aussies.

maxx1458

[QUOTE="maxx1458"]

Good thing Im an ignorant American who doesnt care about Aussies.

FelipeInside

Sure you do, where do you think most of the games (past and present) you love come from?

Go ahead...say it...I LOVE AMERICA!

:D

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="maxx1458"]

Good thing Im an ignorant American who doesnt care about Aussies.

dnuggs40

I still prefer owning case, disk, and manual.

I still prefer owning case, disk, and manual.

Its even worse over here in NZ. Most recent PC retail releases are going for about $120 NZD, so about $100 AUD.

Its completely ridiculous, most of those games are no way worth that much money. I'm sure its all due to console games selling for around the same price and retailers such as EBgames bumping the price way up trying to cash in on it.

EDIT: Oh I should add that ever since JB Hi-Fi took on the monopolly that was EB Games, prices have been getting more and more competitive.

the_mitch28

All my game purchases now either come from JB or steam. The only time I even give EB a second look is when they have big sales.

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"][QUOTE="maxx1458"]

Good thing Im an ignorant American who doesnt care about Aussies.

dnuggs40

Sure you do, where do you think most of the games (past and present) you love come from?

Go ahead...say it...I LOVE AMERICA!

:D

Japan.

well the only thing i buy from Steam are the indie games and small sized monkey island/sam & max chapters. meh... i got my cheap sources for those heavy retail games. L4D for $90AU... kids will still buy it from the retaillers.

[QUOTE="the_mitch28"]

EDIT: Oh I should add that ever since JB Hi-Fi took on the monopolly that was EB Games, prices have been getting more and more competitive.

oxygenis4losers

All my game purchases now either come from JB or steam. The only time I even give EB a second look is when they have big sales.

Oh yeah JB is usually good one new releases. :lol: i loved how the sims 3 was only $79 NZ on release at JB but at EB they were trying to charge $120 NZ.

coming from australia, all i can say is i love you steam. games are hell cheap! i bought stalker clear sky on steam for $35, while australia retail price is $60. i love currency rate, because steam doesnt do currency rates

[QUOTE="dnuggs40"]

[QUOTE="FelipeInside"] Good, cause we don't care about you either....illmatic87

Sure you do, where do you think most of the games (past and present) you love come from?

Go ahead...say it...I LOVE AMERICA!

:D

Japan.

well the only thing i buy from Steam are the indie games and small sized monkey island/sam & max chapters. meh... i got my cheap sources for those heavy retail games. L4D for $90AU... kids will still buy it from the retaillers.