Update: I already got the game via VPN by clicking the install button on SteamDB, my steam account did not get banned or catch fire
this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2024
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Why not have someone from Singapore gift you the game?
If you're already going through the trouble of using a VPN, there are definitely better methods of acquiring the game.
I already own a VPN...
If you already own a VPN, there are definitely better methods of acquiring the game.
Gabe straight up said that it's an issue of access, so if a game is region locked...
Why would Valve ban you?
If you’re paranoid about this then just make a new account on a VM or fresh install of an OS - you’ll be in a VPN anyway, only other possibility would be if they were tracking the other accounts that had been logged in locally and associating them.
Well, because I'd be using a VPN to access a game in another market, isn't that against the rules.
Is that one of Valve’s rules, or just one of the video game publisher’s rules?
It's one of Valve's rules. They're actually pretty serious about it too.
I think the rule would only apply to paid games since it exists to prevent people from buying games for cheap on markets other than theirs. So I'm not sure Valve would ban users for adding a F2P game to their library with a VPN.
So is it safe or not?
It's certainly against one of Valve's rules to use a VPN to access Steam. I've never heard of anyone getting banned for it though.
TIL I've been breaking the TOS for years. I regularly use a VPN to access steam, though only incidentally as the machine is usually connected to the VPN all rhe time. Never had a problem.
It’s only against it if you use the VPN to switch to another region.
It might actually be unenforceable, I'm surprised they haven't quietly dropped it, but I think it's there so they can bust people for abusing a VPN to cheat the system (Buy games where the exchange rate is more favorable for an American gamer)
People abusing that is also often brought up as a reason or at least excuse for publishers to bleed developing countries dry when it comes to pricing, ask me how I know :/
I feel so bad for countries that had to settle for what's known as "SlavJank", because back in the day the tax on imports was so high that doom cost you 5000 dollars. The ones that didn't have copyright laws at the time and thus could get bootlegs really easily had it lucky.
Btw, anyone ever hear of the Eastern European exclusive Monkey Island sequel "Donkey Island" ?
Yeah, I've always expected they reserve it for people mass buying games from other regions. Or at least some legal defence if someone complains about people playing games that aren't allowed in their region.