Now all games here are almost "regionally priced" for europeans. It sucks because the money in our bank accounts didn't increase, nor the salaries (for people with a job).

First time I was screwed recently: the Clannad kickstarter in January. My pledge was about 20€ more expensive than I thought it would be.

I have noticed it on recent bundles and when buying Hotline Miami 2. As you say, it sucks the 1€ = 1$ policy is "the law" while our salaries are on the low part.

I don't know much about political economy and only basics when it comes to the economy but I figure if the market forces are strong enough to push for this direction it's probably very hard to go against and try to undermine it even with a better solution. If demand needs to be increased, maybe a poor solution is better than none. Eh? Did you expect anything different?

Of course not. But as Adam Jensen said: "I didn't ask for this".

It helps european sellers, but it hurts european buyers. I belong to the second group.

Could you elaborate please. I don't really have a frame of reference because I'm in pound sterling.

Are you saying that GOG are not representing the exchange rate, and that Euro prices should be lower because a Euro buys more dollars than their prices suggest.

Alternatively, are you saying that the cost of living in the eurozone means that while the exchange rate is correct, the proportional cost to you for a game is greater than for that of an american or UK citizen?

I blame the Germans and their strange ponography.[/sarc]

Note: Darvond has no idea how pornography could depreciate international currency.

I don't know the exact details, but basically Europe decided to decrease the value of the euro against every other currency for exporting reasons.

The image attached shows how many € (well, cents) costs a $. No, no. GOG is showing it correctly. I simply don't like that most games were cheaper two months ago. Can you imagine the day we ask for regional pricing because it would be cheaper? xD Exactly. We are suddenly almost 30% poorer compared to some months ago, if we talk about buying things in dollars or other currencies.

Ok, I think I get where you're coming from now. The question I have is, given that the exchange rate is being observed, how would straight dollar pricing make any difference. Unless you have money already in dollars to pay with, you're still going to have to feel the pinch of the exchange rate when you convert your payment, be it via paypal or your bank.

It's not nice what the Euro has done to the southern European economies. If you're interested then there are interesting articles about optimal currency zones that should clearly have been held as warnings about exactly this sort of thing. I think it's why the UK stayed out, though apart from an apparent liability for Greek debts, we would actually be in one of the stronger positions, just like Germany is.

If GOG is serious about keeping their prices fair then the Euro prices will have to be readjusted sometime this week. Today (Monday 09/03/15) €1 buy them $1.08, so games priced at the new "Flat Price" rate are rather hammering European gamers here in comparison to the old ($) system.

I personally can see the GOG regional pricing structure fail to the conventional (At least we would get some games back). It look like the € may well drop again this week so they would need to keep adjusting prices. We remained out of the Euro (€) because it allowed us more freedoms. We wanted to charter our own trade deals - and should they not be favourable for us we could just switch to the European deals. We could control (buy and sell) our own money and goods without others stopping us because it would damage them.
Basically we hedged our bets and in the current climate it looks like the old suits in the '70's did okay with it.


EDIT: Grammatical and typing errors

Mmmm, I don't exactly understand your question.

Previously:

- New game is released regionally priced at $20 in the USA, €20 in Europe.
- Outrage, because it should be €16 at the time (and that's when euro was starting to fall).
- Another new game is released with flat pricing. $20 for everyone.
- Europeans happy :).

Now:

- A new game is released with flat pricing. $20 for everyone.
- Now this costs europeans €18.43. It's getting near the usual $1=€1 regional pricing.

Simply that.

I suppose my question is that - "Surely that's the exchange rate, so that's fair?". However others are suggesting that GOG are not following the exchange rate, which would suggest that your problem is more to do with my previous point on that subject.

Yes, it is. GOG keeps updating the price of games not regionally priced. In fact, they are benefitting us a bit if they are slow at it, because the euro is constantly falling xD.

What I don't consider fair is the euro fall itself. I'm mad at the european governments, not GOG.

Edit: here's an example: [url=http://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/price?plain=shovelknight]http://isthereanydeal.com/#/page:game/price?plain=shovelknight[/url] . It cost €10.79 when it was released here. Now it's €13.39.

They indeed are not following the current exchange rate; they are currently offering a more favourable to us. The current exchange rate $1=€0.92, while GOG's current exchange rate is $1=€0.89. They are probably expecting the currency to fall to $1=€0.95, before updating their exchange rate.

While I cannot not go into details concerning the foreign currency exchange markets, let me just say that there is no devaluation going on (active and direct policy decision on the side of the monetary regulator, in our case, the ECB).

There are, however, two major elements at play right now. First of, the dollar is appreciating on its own, meaning that all currencies now appear weaker in comparison. Second are the policies adopted by the ECB in the form of the QE (buying bonds will flush the market with even more €). This has in its own a double effect. The one related to our question, is that suddenly there is a massive increase of available € with similar or even smaller demand. As in all markets, supply and demand set the price of currencies and in this case, this means the Euro's value decreases. The second effect is increased inflation in the medium to long-term, which erodes purchasing power in a different way.

To the OP, I understand perfectly how you feel, as now suddenly even GOG's prices in dollars are no longer as competitive as they used to be. You still have a chance, however, to buy GOG's games in Dollars and Euros. As a matter of fact, if you are paying in Euros, you are actually saving money, as the prices are still set as to when the Euro was stronger.

So as far as GOG is concerned, Euro customers are better of for the time being (until GOG updates its pricing).

How do I feel about the Euro taking a dump in the shitter? This is great news for people in Switzerland who like to buy stuff from the EU zone, including GOG (via Cyprus). Its also an ideal time for us to travel ever since the Euro no longer costs more than 1.20 Swiss Francs and is now basically 1:1, meaning I don't have to calculate in my head anymore. 1 Euro is now almost precisely 1 Swiss Franc and 1 USD is 1 Swiss Franc as well, I no longer need math!
This would be such a fun time to go crazy and order everything from Amazon.de and whatnot and travel around, gaahrk!

Bitter irony is I have no extra money, so no shopping and no traveling around the Eurozone :/


And here's an interesting graph of the Euro compared to the Swiss Franc: