Doom The Dark Ages regional prices on Steam are looking wild. Prepare to be confused
This just doesn’t make sense anymore. Should we just call it AAA inflation?
Just when we thought we were done dealing with Xbox hiking up console and accessory prices (and PlayStation doing the same with PS Plus), the conversation around rising game prices has only gotten hotter. The joke about GTA 6 costing $100 stopped being funny once it started feeling real. It kicked off with Nintendo’s Mario Kart World, and now Xbox says its games will hit $80 by year’s end. Sure, some digital versions are still cheaper than physical copies, but if you check out the recommended local prices on Steam for big titles you might be in for a shock.
When the price is not right
Take a look at the suggested converted prices on Steam for Doom: The Dark Ages and try to say the world isn’t going crazy. Steam’s regional pricing system uses exchange rates, purchasing power, and local market conditions to suggest prices in different currencies. So when you see a chart like the one below, you might need a moment to let it all sink in.
Source: SteamDB, Doom: The Dark Ages
Take China, for example. Valve suggests the price should be around $33 USD (238 CNY), but instead, it’s going for $48.30. Still, that’s nothing compared to places like Taiwan, South Asia, or India, where prices have shot up by 100% or more. And it’s not just Doom: The Dark Ages. The same trend shows up with almost every major title. Look at the Valve’s suggested prices for GTA IV Enhanced, Oblivion Remastered, or AC Shadows – you’ll see the same pattern. Meanwhile, most indie games and titles from smaller studios (like Deck of Haunts, Ratopia, or Drop Duchy) are still sticking to Valve’s price tags.
To be fair, we can’t just call the big companies greedy and leave it at that, it’s not that simple. Yes, they’ve raised prices, but in some cases, it’s because certain currencies are really unstable and markets shift quickly. So sometimes, they price games higher just to keep up. But when you look at Doom: The Dark Ages and see that most countries are getting hit with a 50%+ increase? That just feels off.
Source: SteamDB, Stardew Valley
So, to end on a positive note, here’s the chart for Stardew Valley, where almost all the prices are actually lower than suggested. Bless you, ConcernedApe. You’ll always be my hero.
