Steam and VPNs

[NeonWraith]

So after reading a review of the soon to be released X-COM on Rock, Paper, Shotgun I was browsing through the comments when someone mentioned using a VPN to play the game tomorrow, since due to publisher demands no one seems to understand it's not out in Europe until Friday.

Vaguely curious about this, I did some more digging and while I know that using a VPN to obtain a game cheaper due to differing exchange rates is something that will get your Steam account banned, it seems the issue of using a VPN to get around release date differences on a game you've purchased within your own region is something of a grey area.

I was just wondering, does anyone know if Steam/Valve have an official position on this? 'cause I would quite like to play X-COM sooner, rather than later.

 

[SajuukKhar]

It isn't out in Europe until Friday because that's when retail game stores get new game shipments. Games come out in America on Tuesday because when we get games in stores.

I find it funny people still don't understand this even though it has been documented and explained by countless sites, countless times, over the years.

Also I would assume valve's position is "using something to bypass set release dates = ban worthy"

 

[Monsterfurby]

Considering people use VPN to buy games in their (region-locked) Russian versions for 20-30$ off the 'official' price and activate them on a non-Russian steam account, I am PRETTY SURE that Valve has a problem with that happening.

 

[NeonWraith]

You misunderstand me: I've already BOUGHT the game, and have it pre-loaded on Steam. I know that buying from another country isn't ok as it's tax evasion, I'm just curious about release dates.

It isn't out in Europe on Friday because that's when retail game stores get new game shipments. Games come out in America on Tuesday because when we get games in stores.

I find it funny people still don't understand this even though it has been documented and explained by countless sites, countless times, over the years.

Also I would assume valve's position is "using something to bypass set release dates = ban worthy"

And there's no valid reason for that delay in this day and age, is my point. It's not a logistics or a localisation issue.

 

[SajuukKhar]

And there's no valid reason for that delay in this day and age, is my point. It's not a logistics or a localisation issue.

There is a valid reason for that delay, its called profits, stores in America and stores in Europe make the most cash by selling things on the day they do.

It not only the game industry, but several other industries that each send shipments to stores on those days.

Making games arrive at stores on different days then they do now would mean instead of games being sent along with everything else, stores would have to process an ENTIRE separate shipment just for games.

It really isn't something you can just say "arrive on different days" and then it happens, it would require altering many things outside of the gaming industry as well.

 

[NeonWraith]

...except most of the game shops near me have had their copies delivered, so that's bull. Next oudated arguement?

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

I believe using a vpn is against the terms of service though I've never heard of anyone being banned because of it.

 

[NeonWraith]

That's the thing. I have a suspicion that Valve don't really mind people using a VPN to get around release dates, but it's not a position they can openly come out with if so.