Originally posted by Salion:

Steam prices in Romania are too high compared to local salaries — piracy is a consequence, not choice

Hey everyone,

I’m a long-time Steam user from Romania, and I want to share my perspective on why Steam pricing here is becoming a real problem — and how it could actually be a win-win for Valve and developers if addressed correctly.

**The problem:**
- The **average net salary in Romania is around €650/month**.
- Many AAA titles, like *Baldur’s Gate 3*, *Cyberpunk 2077*, or *Elden Ring*, cost **€59–70**, same as in Germany, France, or the UK.
- That means buying a single game can equal **~10% of a monthly income**, which is huge for an average Romanian gamer.

**Impact on gaming habits:**
- Many gamers simply **cannot afford to buy games at full price**.
- As a result, Romania has one of the **highest software piracy rates in Eastern Europe**. According to the **BSA Global Software Survey**, over **50% of software in Romania was unlicensed in recent years**.
- This is not because Romanians don’t want to support developers — it’s frustration and lack of affordability.
- Even indie and mid-range titles are often skipped because the perceived value is low compared to Western pricing.

**Regional pricing elsewhere works:**
- Steam already applies regional pricing in countries like **Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, and Russia**. Prices there are often **2–3 times lower** than in Western Europe to reflect local incomes.
- Platforms like **Netflix and Spotify** saw huge growth in Romania after implementing local pricing tiers, proving that affordability increases legal purchases.

**Why Valve would benefit:**
- **Higher legitimate sales**: Many players would start buying games instead of pirating.
- **Community growth**: A more active player base increases engagement, multiplayer longevity, and Steam ecosystem revenue (DLCs, microtransactions, etc.).
- **Goodwill and reputation**: Being seen as fair builds loyalty — players remember when they are treated as valued customers.

**Supporting examples:**
- *Cyberpunk 2077*: €59.99 in Romania vs. €25 in Turkey (regional pricing adjusted) — similar incomes to Romania’s average would justify €30–40 per copy.
- *Elden Ring*: €69.99 in Romania, €29.99 in Argentina.
- Steam Workshop and microtransactions are not enough — base game affordability is the first barrier.
- Romanian gamers already heavily discuss this on forums, Reddit, Discord, and other gaming communities. There’s a clear **demand for fair pricing**.

**Recent updates / context:**
- EU Directive 2018/302 allows regional pricing adjustments to reflect local market conditions.
- Steam updated its **regional pricing guide in 2023**, but Romania remains mostly in “Western pricing tiers” despite much lower incomes.
- With the rise of digital-only distribution, piracy isn’t hardware-constrained anymore — pricing is one of the biggest drivers.

**Conclusion / plea:**
- This isn’t a complaint — it’s feedback and a request.
- Romania is full of gamers who **want to buy games legally**.
- **A 20–30% price adjustment** for AAA titles would massively reduce piracy, increase legal sales, and strengthen Valve’s position in the region.
- Valve can make this a win-win: fairer prices for players, more sales and loyalty for Steam, and happier developers.

Thanks for reading and supporting fair gaming. We really want to continue buying games legally — but prices need to reflect local realities.

From a Romanian gamer who loves Steam.

Originally posted by Salion:

- Many AAA titles, like *Baldur’s Gate 3*, *Cyberpunk 2077*, or *Elden Ring*, cost **€59–70**, same as in Germany, France, or the UK.

Originally posted by Salion:

- That means buying a single game can equal **~10% of a monthly income**