Ever wondered why the same game costs $60 in one country but $30 in another? That’s due to regional pricing and can sometimes be very frustrating, especially in high-price regions.
With current RAM costs going through the roof and often steep triple AAA game fees, gaming can become a genuinely expensive hobby. But we’re here to tell you the opposite and show how you can sometimes buy games cheaper.
It’s a legal way to save some money, but platforms like Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation don’t allow it out in the open. In this guide, we’ll explain regional pricing and how to pay less without risking penalties from these platforms.
What Is Regional Pricing?
Understanding regional pricing is simple. Regional pricing is a practice of setting commodity costs according to regional purchasing power. In this case, it means that the video game costs, including in-game purchases, will be higher in some countries than in others.
For example, the massively popular Stardew Valley is cheapest in Brazil, costing only $2.38, while in Switzerland it costs $9.49. It’s four times more expensive, so the difference can be substantial. Elden Ring costs $22.96 in Indonesia compared to $57.49 in Switzerland.
Game distribution platforms don’t even try to hide these differences. You can check pricing across various countries easily, as nearly all game distributors set regional prices.
In fact, for video game developers, it is a chance to sell more. But for some gamers, it means paying more than they can afford. In these cases, they can buy games in more affordable regions, and we’ll explain howshortly.
Why Game Prices Differ by Region
Paying more than others doesn’t sound fair, but, in fact, it has a very reasonable explanation. Different countries have very different economies and purchasing power. Prices in these countries reflect local income levels, so high-income regions typically pay more for the same product than lower-income regions.
People in wealthy countries like Luxembourg and Singapore can easily spend $100 for a video game. Meanwhile, if you’re from South Sudan or Somalia, it is highly unlikely you can afford that.
For developers, it means fewer sales in developing regions. It’s also not fair for gamers, because everyone worldwide should be able to enjoy games based on their purchasing power.
There are other factors at play. In the European Union, all consumers pay Value Added Tax (VAT), which governments use to fund public projects. Each video game sale adds a VAT charge, making them more expensive across the continent.
Sudden shifts in currency exchange rates are also important. If the value of the dollar drops, a game that was valued at $60 may now cost $70, while keeping a lower price in other countries.
Lastly, keep in mind that Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox use different pricing strategies. It’s best to check their policies before buying games in more affordable regions, and do so on occasions when you need them most.
How Gamers Can Leverage Regional Pricing Safely
First things first, find the best video game prices on websites like CompareGamePrices. Second, you do need an IP address in a region with the best prices. But that’s also no longer enough.
Even if you use a VPN or a proxy to change your IP address, Steam can detect it and restrict your account. It’s best to create a secondary account in an affordable region like Brazil. But even then, in most cases, you must use a local payment method.
A workaround is to use cheaper gift cards, like Steam gift cards from sites like Eneba. You can use your local payment method to buy the gift card and then redeem it on your secondary account. This way, Steam will not inspect what payment method you used, and you can buy games at lower local prices, but only on your secondary account.
As you can see, this is quite a hassle. But that’s inevitable, as video game distributors have toughened up their rules. Some people simply set up main accounts in more affordable regions and play from there.
Keep in mind that this is a cat-and-mouse game. Video game platforms implement new detection methods to make sure players can only buy games locally. Then someone comes up with a new workaround and uses it until it stops working.
Lastly, we recommend keeping an eye on seasonal and regional discounts. You can sometimes get up to 90% discounts, so even the most expensive Ubisoft or Paradox Interactive games are affordable for everybody.
Using Pawns.app For Payment
One method works 100% of the time, that is, to get some side money for a desired game. You can use our Pawns.app to get some income by filling surveys, playing games, completing quests, and keeping an eye out for special promotions.
Once your balance reaches just $5, you can cash out and turn it into a virtual Visa card. You can choose a virtual card in a specific region, so get one where video games are cheapest. This way, you will solve the local payment method issue and also get some cash at the same time.
If you don’t know where to start, drop by our Pawns.app usage guide for 2026 – you’ll be ready to go within minutes.
Risks and Things to Watch Out For
Like every workaround, it doesn’t work every time. Here are a few risks you should know about before trying this method.
- Regional locks
Some games are geographically restricted to specific regions. You can only buy and play them in those countries, which defeats the purpose.
- Payment restrictions
As discussed previously, you must obtain a local payment method. Your access to games in different regions will quickly shrink without it.
- Account rules
Go through the platforms’ Terms of Service and don’t abuse this trick. Getting an expensive game cheaper from time to time may not draw attention, but doing it constantly for all games is very risky.
Practical Ways to Save and Earn
Before concluding, here are some more tips that can help you earn side money and get the best video game prices.
- Compare prices before purchasing on websites like CompareGamePrice. You can find pricing differences for any video game within seconds.
- Track price history and follow wishlist alerts. Some discounts are exceptionally good, and you can get games with discounts of up to 90%.
- Combine regional prices with sales and bundles. If you spot a discount in a country where games are cheapest, you will save a lot. And if you find an affordable bundle, you can get even more games without overpaying.
- If your budget is tight, join Pawns.app, and you can start cashing out to buy games soon enough.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that some video game prices are simply outrageous, with the latest Call of Duty costing above $100. In some countries, that’s simply not affordable for a video game.
Instead of spilling the dough, start using price comparison sites. The regional pricing differences are real, and we found some fantastic discounts on CompareGamePrice. And if you prefer to boost your budget instead, join Pawns.app – it’s a safe and reliable side income app.
