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General discussionConclusion of the Fair Price Package program(910 posts)(910 posts)
(910 posts)
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Posted February 26, 2019
On March 31st we are going to discontinue the Fair Price Package program. Let us explain the reasoning behind this decision.

We came up with Fair Price Package (FPP) as a way to make up the price difference between various countries. Some games on GOG.COM have regional pricing, meaning the price of the same game in one place can be higher compared to its price in North America. In countries where the game is more expensive, we give users the equivalent of the price difference in GOG Wallet funds. In actual numbers, on average, we give users back 12% of the game price from our own pocket. In some cases, this number can reach as high as 37%.

In the past, we were able to cover these extra costs from our cut and still turn a small profit. Unfortunately, this is not the case anymore. With an increasing share paid to developers, our cut gets smaller. However, we look at it, at the end of the day we are a store and need to make sure we sell games without a loss.

Removing FPP is not a decision we make lightly, but by making this change, we will be able to offer better conditions to game creators, which — in turn — will allow us to offer you more curated classic games and new releases. All DRM-free.

We wanted to make sure you have some lead time to still benefit from the Fair Price Package. The program will last until the 31st of March, 2019, so if you would like to take advantage of it, now is the time. The funds you gather from the program will keep the 12 months expiration date from the moment you’ve been granted your last funds.
Posted February 26, 2019
high rated
First of all, thank you for your support. This was not an easy decision to discontinue the FPP program and we're grateful to you for understanding the reasons behind it. We see that quite a few of you raised concerns about GOG's future. As a part of publicly traded company, we can't comment on any financial results until they are officially reported, but we want to ensure you everything is good with GOG. Being part of a big gaming company, some reports - especially some given by significant media outlets - can often sound much scarier than reality.

You've been also concerned about your access to the games you’ve purchased on GOG. We've covered this topic years ago and it's been in our User Agreement for a long time (please check the section 17.3). This is not only a legal obligation to you but a core part of our ethics as a company.

But don’t worry, all is good, and we have a great plan for the future of GOG. We can’t wait for you to see some of the exciting things we have coming very soon.

EDIT: pinned
Post edited February 26, 2019 by elcook
Posted April 02, 2019
For people in countries who are always charged the premium price, this is very bad news. I'd be honestly surprised if this wouldn't impact sales in these markets. With GOG pushing Galaxy and taking into account certain other aspects (late updates, region blocking, achievements not working etc.), it became more and more difficult to argue why to pay more for a game on GOG anyway but without the fair price program, the decision for GOG becomes even harder.
Personally, I will either wait longer for better discounts, skip "nice to have" titles altogether or buy stuff on Steam which I would have purchased on GOG if the price was closer.
I still hope that GOG will survive the next years, but the downward spiral of the last years certainly continues with this latest decision. Looks like nothing that's good can last for long in this world. Meh.
Posted April 03, 2019
I sure will get some fire for this, but... meh.
This is my opinion, i am not stating a fact.
and even if i were, who would, in the end,
care?

Steam is for Children, GOG is for Grown-Ups.
And recently, Steam lost almost all appeal to me,
with their broken UI where often enough all you
can do is _start_ the damn client.
(the window does not move, the buttons do not work, etc.)

Money is not everything.
I don't see Diablo 1 or Warcraft at Valve's site......
I do not even play Warcraft and i like _that_ move.

What do you like more?
Paying a few bucks more or losing the one real alternative to steam
where the guys actualy care fot their games?
(seriously, where do you see _proper_ games on steam for 1.5 bucks on sale?
Even most of the normal prices for real games are twice as high)
Posted April 03, 2019
So when the Fair Price Package ends all countrys will have to pay the same price when buying a game isn't it?
Posted April 03, 2019
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Shenjiro: So when the Fair Price Package ends all countrys will have to pay the same price when buying a game isn't it?
Still baffled whenever somebody apparently understands this. It'd sure be something if that's what it meant!
The FPP ended already. Prices do not change, just that those paying more than the US price no longer get wallet funds to cover the difference. If you are in Spain as it says, you're hit hard by this.
Posted April 03, 2019
What a pity. No fair prices anymore. Well, maybe I won't buy anything ever again on GOG. Then by definition (kind of) I pay fair prices.

I'm really a fan of fair prices.
Posted April 03, 2019
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I really liked the foresight of naming it the Fair Price Package, and the resulting implication -- that as of now, we are paying unfair prices. Yay.
Posted April 03, 2019
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drevo2: I really liked the foresight of naming it the Fair Price Package, and the resulting implication -- that as of now, we are paying unfair prices. Yay.
Ha ha ha, that's just what I came here to say!



Why do some countries have to pay more than the USA anyway? I can understand lower income countries getting charged less but not the other way around.
Posted April 03, 2019
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HappyPunkPotato: Ha ha ha, that's just what I came here to say!

Why do some countries have to pay more than the USA anyway? I can understand lower income countries getting charged less but not the other way around.
It's been discussed before, but some of it is because of VAT and other taxes. Europe requires VAT to be included in the price. So a $10 game with 20% VAT should cost $12. Some places even have an additional "entertainment tax". In the United States, if we buy games off GoG or other offshore retailers, we are supposed to pay our taxes on them after the fact (it's not collected by GoG).

I'll agree in situations where some publishers additional charges cannot be explained just with VAT. That is just gouging.
Posted April 03, 2019
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RWarehall: In the United States, if we buy games off GoG or other offshore retailers, we are supposed to pay our taxes on them after the fact (it's not collected by GoG).
That ain't never gonna happen. =P Especially in a sales-tax-free state. ;)

That's also probably why state laws have started to put the onus on (US) online retailers instead of consumers because if given the choice no private person in their right mind would report those taxes "owed".
Posted April 03, 2019
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Mr.Mumbles: That ain't never gonna happen. =P Especially in a sales-tax-free state. ;)

That's also probably why state laws have started to put the onus on (US) online retailers instead of consumers because if given the choice no private person in their right mind would report those taxes "owed".
Lucky you! I feel really sorry for those in the city of Chicago. They supposedly have a 10.25% sales tax, including state county and city taxes and recently passed an additional 9% "entertainment tax" which should put it at 19.25%. Last I heard, Steam didn't charge the extra 9% but PSN does.

My state has a line item on our tax forms asking for a "Use Tax" to cover all such internet purchases. They charge a percentage based on one's income. You have the option of itemizing, but if you claim zero, they could choose to go after you with taxes and penalties in an audit for lying.
Post edited April 03, 2019 by RWarehall
Posted April 03, 2019
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RWarehall: They supposedly have a 10.25% state tax, including state county and city taxes and recently passed an additional 9% "entertainment tax" which should put it at 19.25%.
o.O Yowzer!
..they could choose to go after you with taxes and penalties in an audit for lying.
Yowzer! (the 2nd)
Posted April 03, 2019
high rated
Actually the extra to be payed in "high cost" countries varies quite a bit. There are games which have the same price in Dollar as in Euro, so depending on the current conversion rate you could argue that the extra paid here is even a bit less than the VAT. There are other games like "Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms" which are exceptionally expensive here (also compared to the Steam price). So this addition can neither be explained by VAT nor general local pricing, it's just some game that is especially expensive to buy here on GOG. So in the past, you'd get a 7€ (or so) refund, now you can decide whether to pay extra 25% or so on GOG or just buy on Steam. I wouldn't argue about 1-2€ but paying 25% more "just because" is somewhat unfair so I won't do it.
Posted April 04, 2019
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fade0ff: Actually the extra to be payed in "high cost" countries varies quite a bit. There are games which have the same price in Dollar as in Euro, so depending on the current conversion rate you could argue that the extra paid here is even a bit less than the VAT. There are other games like "Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms" which are exceptionally expensive here (also compared to the Steam price). So this addition can neither be explained by VAT nor general local pricing, it's just some game that is especially expensive to buy here on GOG. So in the past, you'd get a 7€ (or so) refund, now you can decide whether to pay extra 25% or so on GOG or just buy on Steam. I wouldn't argue about 1-2€ but paying 25% more "just because" is somewhat unfair so I won't do it.
Yes, this is something I don’t understand. For Switzerland too, there are games with regional pricing that have a lower price on Steam, sometimes even lower than the base US price, but higher here on GOG

I will continue to buy things here because I like the DRM-free aspect, but it’s not the only thing that decides where I buy a game. The net effect of discontinuing the FPP might be negative for GOG in my case
Posted April 05, 2019
In the light of the EU targeting Steam etc. for Geoblocking I wonder if GOG also charges different prices within the EU and if so: how long they will be able to do that. What's for sure is that they are using Geoblocking to forbid buying certain games in certain countries even though they still advertise them (which is slightly bizarre, as at least in Germany, not the selling of titles like "Dying Light" is forbidden but the advertising).
Posted April 05, 2019
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Onox: Yes, this is something I don’t understand. For Switzerland too, there are games with regional pricing that have a lower price on Steam, sometimes even lower than the base US price, but higher here on GOG

I will continue to buy things here because I like the DRM-free aspect, but it’s not the only thing that decides where I buy a game. The net effect of discontinuing the FPP might be negative for GOG in my case
Frankly, I think this has been one of GoG's bigger problems. It erodes confidence. They probably should have a staff member dedicated to making certain games are competitively priced with Steam throughout all the different regions. And if discrepancies are found they could pass it along to whomever is responsible with talking to the developers to get it fixed. Maybe the same person could track game updates while they are at it to make sure developers are maintaining parity.
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Community
General discussionConclusion of the Fair Price Package program(910 posts)(910 posts)
(910 posts)