Steam, the popular digital gaming platform, has recently introduced a significant update to its storefront, adding more details to its recent price history.
As first spotted by SteamDB, this move was made to comply with the European Union's Omnibus Directive.
The directive protects consumers from deceptive sale practices by ensuring transparent pricing information.
Notably, customers in the EU will now have access to the lowest price a game has been sold for over the past 30 days. This move is intended to curb misleading sale prices and prevent bad publishers from artificially inflating discounts.
Although it remains uncertain if this feature is extended globally, SteamDB's existing browser extension already provides users with historical pricing data worldwide.
Beating Steam Price Inflation
Steam price inflation is a real thing where publishers have been finding ways to rationalize abrupt price hikes for game titles, downloadable content, and in-game items.
In April, Hindustan Times reported a significant surge in CS:GO skin prices shortly after the announcement of Counter-Strike 2. Similarly, Kotaku documented a case where a game called Factoria increased its price earlier this year to accommodate inflation since its release in 2016.
The European Union has been actively working to safeguard consumers' interests, particularly in the gaming industry.
By requiring platforms like Steam to disclose the lowest sale price of games over the past 30 days, the EU aims to prevent false or misleading discounts.
This initiative counters the tactics of certain publishers who artificially increase game prices before sales to exaggerate the perceived discount.
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Global Rollout?
While the new pricing transparency feature has been introduced specifically for customers in the EU, its success and positive reception may pave the way for a global rollout.
Steam has yet to confirm whether the scheme will extend to all its customers or remain limited to EU jurisdictions.
What's In the News
Steam's implementation of the pricing transparency measure for its EU customers is a step towards promoting consumer protection and countering deceptive sale practices.
By providing visibility into the lowest prices of games over the past 30 days, Steam aims to enhance transparency and combat artificially inflated discounts.
While it remains to be seen if this feature will be expanded globally, SteamDB's existing browser extension already offers users worldwide access to historical pricing data.
In Other News
Despite the lack of an official release date for Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6, a leaked report indicates that there will be more to discover beyond the Vice City map.
While Vice City will serve as the primary location in GTA 6, recent reports suggest the inclusion of another island, expanding the playable areas for players.
Earlier leaks and speculations hinted at a larger map in GTA 6 compared to its predecessor, GTA 5, focusing on enhancing the gaming experience specifically for current-generation platforms.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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