Is regional pricing even fair? Outrageous Regional Pricing in Mexico
TL;DR: Electronic Arts has set outrageous regional pricing in Mexico, with games priced at Mex$ 1599.00 ($93.13), compared to $69.99 in the US. This large price difference disregards income levels and currency values. It's time for EA to reevaluate their pricing strategy and consider the economic context of Mexico.
I wanted to shed some light on a concerning issue that has been bothering me since F1 2020: the outrageous "regional pricing" set by EA on Steam. It's high time we address this unfair practice that disregards our income levels and the difference in currency values compared to the US dollar. Let's take a closer look at the numbers and highlight the most important aspects.
Just compare the current prices in Mexican Pesos (Mex$) with their converted values in US dollars ($) taken from SteamDB:
FIFA 23: Mex$ 1599.00 ($93.13) - a staggering 33.07% higher than the US price.
Battlefield 2042: Mex$ 1399.00 ($81.48) - again, 35.84% more expensive.
F1 23: Mex$ 1599.00 ($93.13) - 33.07% higher than the US price.
And the list goes on...
This discrepancy is shocking, especially when we consider our income levels and the fact that the Mexican Peso is significantly weaker than the US dollar. It's clear that EA's regional pricing strategy is incorrect and fails to account for these significant differences.
Furthermore, let's not overlook the comparison with other currencies. While the US dollar price remains consistent across regions, the Mexican Peso price is much higher than that in many other countries.
These examples clearly demonstrate the unjustified premium we are forced to pay. It's disheartening to see such disparity when we are equally passionate about gaming and deserve fair pricing.
Prior to EA acquisition, the prices and regional pricing of the F1 franchise were reasonable and aligned with the economic context of different countries. However, starting with F1 2020, there has been a noticeable deviation from fair regional pricing. The prices in Mexico, for instance, have become exorbitant, disproportionately affecting the local gaming community. It is disheartening to witness this shift, as it undermines the accessibility of these beloved racing games for fans across the globe.
EA should reevaluate their regional pricing model and show more consideration for their Mexican player base. We urge them to adjust the prices to reflect the economic realities of our country and align them with other regions that face similar challenges.
How am I supposed to pay 33% more if I make 30% of the average US salary?
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