So why isn't Digital Distribution one price for all?

[Sangnz]

This is something that constantly nags at me as immensely annoying. I live in New Zealand, for obvious reasons electronic goods are generally at a premium over here including games. Digital distribution used to be a god send for me as I could typically purchase games cheaper because I was avoiding the costs involved with a physical copy. Over the past year this has started to reverse and I am starting to pay more on digital distribution.
Now I'm going to use the upcoming release of BF3 as a price point for this. (Please note this practice is occurring on most digital distribution systems not just Origin)

Shop price in EBgames
Battlefield 3 Limited Edition $98.95 NZD ($82.05 USD)

Price on Origin for NZ
Battlefield 3 Limited Edition $89.99 USD ($100.51 NZD)

Price on Origin for US
Battlefield 3 Limited Edition $59.99 USD ($67.01 NZD)

*Prices in brackets are price conversions using a NZ banking site

So not only are we being charge more on the digital download than the shop copy but we are paying a huge chunk more than someone in the US. We are getting the same treatment with 40k Space Marine and the same thing happened with Civ5 when it released.
Now I could possibly understand maybe paying a few dollars more than my US counterparts explained away on international bandwidth costs for the download but seriously why the hell is there a $30 USD price difference?

 

[Rack]

Because that's how capitalism works. Don't know if NZ includes Sales Tax as well ut really it's just what they think is the most people will pay.

 

[number2301]

Supply and demand alongside their ability to region lock downloadable games. Maybe it'll go away later, same way as it did with region locked DVDs, maybe not!

 

[Zipa]

Well things like sales tax are different in each country as that depends on the government of each country. But a large part of it is that publishers and retailers are greedy bastards and screw people as they know they can get away with it.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Because they can, I got a local games shop that will quickly double the price on any game that sells well... all is fair in the business world.

And you vote with your wallet, if people keep buying things just as before why the hell would they lower the prices, in fact prepare to have them raised.

 

[Mordwyl]

Then they wonder why people pirate games.

 

[alias2]

There is a website I got from a thread here on the escapist which may help you. It's a UK business which sells games to people from Aus/NZ. They give free shipping, and since the games are bought in the UK you don't pay the Aus/NZ premium. (Also atm the prices are awesome cos of the strong aussie dollar)

http://www.ozgameshop.com

Fair warning though, I have no idea how reliable they are, just providing the link in case it helps you.

 

[theonewhois3]

-snipy-

Then again, if enough people boycott the digital distribution, they might change their prices.