How to save money on Steam using a VPN

I wanted to ensure I played the uncensored version of L4D2. And the best way I could think of was buying it via Steam from a UK IP as their version is uncensored. So, I signed up to a trial at AnonymitynNetwork.com for this purpose alone.

I connected to their "England" server, started up Steam, threw L4D2 into my store basket for purchase. While there, I'd also check the price of Modern Warfare 2. It's available for just 34.99 pounds ($62 AUD) - that's $36 cheaper than Australian Steam.

So I went ahead and bought them both by putting in all of my Australian card details, changing the country to United Kingdom, and adding two 0's to the end of my postcode (matching the length of UK post codes). I quit Steam, disconnected from the VPN, reconnected to Steam 'from Australia' and am pre-loading L4D2.

I thought I'd detail my experience here, because as far as I'm concerned, everyone else should do the same - stick it up both the Australian OFLC and Australian price gouging publishers.

Update: I've tried this with the USA Steam store and it also works. Instead of adding two 0's, just add one (5 digits total).

RU Steam Store: Welcome to Steam

UK Steam Store: Welcome to Steam

US Steam store: http://store.steampowered.com/?cc=us

Nice info my man.... but am I not correct in saying that we cannot play the UK L4D2 version on Aus servers ?

This also means only the payment is done via the UK VPN and the download can still be quota free for Node (and some others) ppl?

I would say do it to save money, but i wouldn't be surprised if the executable would simply validate your region off your IP address and turn off or on the content that is consider inappropriate for that region.

Though so much for the free market.

Quote from ResLo;372404:
Nice info my man.... but am I not correct in saying that we cannot play the UK L4D2 version on Aus servers ?

This also means only the payment is done via the UK VPN and the download can still be quota free for Node (and some others) ppl?

There's a good chance the L4D2 differences won't actually effect multiplayer compatibility between versions. It might just a series of animations that are different. OFCL's complaint was regarding grievous bodily harm to human-like characters, specifically decapitations with melee weapons. There's no reason Australians won't just see a different animation instead.

An example of that is GTAIV; we can still play against everyone else in the world even though our version differs. How similar or different that case is I'm not sure, of course.

As for quota - I don't see why not. Make the transaction while connected to the UK VPN, then disconnect and download through Steam for free. Just make sure you have Steam Watch running to make sure.

Quote from chad;372405:
I would say do it to save money, but i wouldn't be surprised if the executable would simply validate your region off your IP address and turn off or on the content that is consider inappropriate for that region.

Nope, games with different versions are technically different games altogether - they're assigned completely different and unique cart id's in the Steam store. When you purchase one region's version, you're stuck with it.

unless valve cracks down on it - simple database query would spot people running different countries' versions *very* easily. pretty sure that's against the steam EULA too so you could lose access to ALL your games.

So you're telling me all the games I bought while in the UK must be revoked because I'm now back in Aus? Likewise, all the games I bought in Aus I shouldn't haven't been able to access while living in the UK?

Big "baarmp" on that one. Never going to happen.

Also, I think Jay is probably right. According to this Wiki, most Australian "banned" and/or edited games have been uncut for their PC releases (censored for retail console games only). So there's a good chance the Aus version of L4D2 via Steam will still be fully featured.

Quote from rec;372446:
So you're telling me all the games I bought while in the UK must be revoked because I'm now back in Aus? Likewise, all the games I bought in Aus I shouldn't have been able to access while living in the UK?

Big "baarmp" on that one. Never going to happen.
Similar thing.
Amazon remotely deletes Orwell e-books from Kindles, unpersons reportedly unhappy (update)

Well I can safely say none of my Aus games were deleted while I was in the UK, and none of my UK purchased games have been deleted since being back in Aus.

Also remember that if someone in the UK, Europe or USA "gifts" you a game via Steam, you get their region's version - not the Australian version. This "loop hole" would have been fixed up a long time ago if it was a major concern. They're aware of it, and have done nothing to fix it.

By stipulating rules for region of purchase and making you check-boxes and read T&C's they've covered their arses, and that's all that matters to them I imagine.

PS. I've found a way to grab the UK versions without a VPN: http://www.gamers-underground.com/forum/games-general/31864-how-buy-steam-games-other-regions-without-vpn.html

yeah unfortunately rec, it STILL counts as importing the game. have a read of your EULA - i'm not saying they WILL, just that they CAN. (also as you mentioned, because you might go to a diff country for awhile, i think they're less likely to ban the account as to just reset the version of the game you have)

edit: scratch that - could find no mention of it in valve's subscriber agreement. they could be forced by the aussie govt to reset your L4D2 game, but yeah, there's nothing implicit in the agreement about faking your country of origin.

Sweet. And as I said; their own system enables me to 'gift' an AU game to a USA, UK, EU customer and vice-versa. They enable it themselves.

So if I get my brother to sign into my steam account in the UK, and then he purchases the 4 pack for l4d2. Could I then just sign back into mine here once he's done and we'd be all sweet?

I don't want no gimped version

If you have family in the UK, he can just "gift" you the game and you can avoid all of these work-arounds.

That's what I'd do except with the 4 pack 1 copy has to stay with the account you purchase it on and then you gift the other 3. My brother doesn't play any games anymore so I'd like to put the one copy on a steam account that me and my mates can actually use. I stand by my above question. Anyone got any thoughts as to if this would work?

Just go to the UK store URL in your Firefox/Explorer browser, buy the 4 pack and you're done.

It's really that easy. Just remember to put your country in as United Kingdom during the purchase process.

Alternatively, sign-up to the aforementioned VPN trial, and then launch the Steam store and do it that way. Either way will work fine.

Does it matter that my address is in melbourne victoria but then the country is the UK? Should I use my bro's actual address in the UK? I appreciate the help guys!

I just want to make sure I do this correctly, don't want to waste "44.

VISA/Mastercards only verify your Address when purchasing online. As in only Street number and name, State, Post code not your Country. When purchasing through steam it asks for the countrty that you are in for currency and regional variations of games pourposes only it seems.

You would only use your bro's address if you are using his Credit Card im pretty sure.

entropay is the solution. it's what i use to purchase from the US ps3 store.

I've made many purchases on the UK Steam store (while over there and now via VPN) using my Australian credit card, tied to an Australian address.

It's perfectly fine to change the country to whatever you like, as it's not checked during the transaction.

Reslo; to confirm, all region versions are compatible (low violence versions can play full violence versions).

I went ahead and bought through the UK steam store. Played the demo today. Lots of blood and dismemberment and heaps of bodies lying around. Brilliant. Worked a treat. Got the 4 pack so only $36 each, bargain!

Nice. Glad to be of assistance. :D

Join the Gamers-Underground.com Steam group to have a romp on our server.

For those that bought the AU version, refunds are being delivered by Valve if you're unhappy with it due to lack of gore.

TiT from AusGamers writes:

Quote:
I got a refund from Valve this morning and i went and bought a UK version. On my Steam History it shows that i got credit for 4 pack L4D2 (Preorder AU) Complimentary L4d2 Demo (AU) and now i just bought 4 pack L4D2 (Preorder)

I'll make sure to try that for the recently released Black Ops -- I live in Germany and the international version (the one that only has an English localization, there's no such thing in the German versions) is bound to be banned here soon, even retail keys can't be activated.
I did not scan through the whole thread, but did anyone experience his account being disabled because of these procedures?

Not anyone anywhere that I'm aware of, certainly not here.

No accounts have been suspended or banned for using this method at all, but they've tightened down on how easy it is.

Community members here have started using USA as opposed to UK VPNs, and simply add an extra 0 to the post/zip code (as AUS is 4, and the USA is 5). Also you need to select a state in the USA rather than leaving it as your own.

Coming up with a different address would not be that much of a problem, I guess.
My fear is that fraud protection will kick in with people logging in rapidly from two different countries.

As I said, I am not in Australia, I am in Germany so I might even use an Australian VPN provider to activate my CODBO once I have it. (I am going for retail version since it is available from UK cheaper than from steam itself.)

You Aussies get an uncensored version of BO, right? :)

Sure do. :D

Modern Warfare 3 is a ridiculous "00 on Steam AU, but you can grab it for $60 using this same trick if you plan on buying it.

It will have dedicated servers: http://gamers-underground.com/news/35046-article-modern-warfare-3-will-have-dedicated-servers-available-pre-purchase.html

jesus-unjustifiable-christ

Just thought i'd mention that MW2 is, nearly two years after release, still $90 for australians on steam :P

even the $30 for the US is slightly ridiculous. $90 for MW2 is even more ridiculous than the "00 for MW3, because some people will be stupid enough to pay the money for mw3.

I think more importantly, nearly 2 years after release, MW2 is still a piece of shit that shouldn't be played by anyone with a PC and an IQ above 80 :P

But seriously, I did play it for a while on 360 after release because my housemate at the time loved it and it was a social thing to do. Found it tolerable on console (not having a keyboard and mouse made me want to claw my eyes out and remove my hands with a hatchet) but after recently playing it on PC, thought it was really clunky, campy shitfest. The fact the pricing is still so ridiculous is...well...ridiculous. Should be filling bargain bins by now.

okay i must be doing something wrong

i connected to the vpn, on steam went to make a purchase and keeps coming up with payment problem ?

:S

Make sure you're visiting the appropriate Steam store to make the purchase (?cc=us or ?cc=uk).

If using a US VPN, you need to add a 0 to your real postcode, and ensure the USA is selected as your country.

If UK, add two 0's and make sure the UK is selected as your country.

All other details should remain legitimate.

And keep in mind this doesn't work with all credit/debit card providers. I personally am with Westpac and it works a charm every time.

tried that but it didnt work :(

set to UK country and used post code 081000 but failed :( used my american express / paypal

PayPal won't ever work, and I have no idea about AMEX. My Westpac cards are both Mastercard AU, and it works with both of those.

ill try again with my westpac master card

Maybe the Zero(0) at the start of the post code could be an issue.

Sometimes I see Darwin as just 800 not 0800. Try 81000 over 08100.

I don't know as never tried it though, but it might work.

i know im reviving a kinda dead topic here, but does this method work? and will i need to use a separate steam account or could i use my existing one. oh and whats the probabillity of getting banned for this.

It still works. I've been doing it for years without issue. Although it seems it only works on certain cards. I personally have Westpac Mastercard's.

Quote from rec;400987:
It still works. I've been doing it for years without issue. Although it seems it only works on certain cards. I personally have Westpac Mastercard's.

So it's safe to use with my existing steam account?

I can only give you my experience, which is that I've purchased two dozen games from the UK/US store over the past two years, with no problem, all on my usual Steam account.

brilliant, probably sounds like the way to go with skyrim and rage being 80-90 dollars on Aus steam whilst being 50 or less on UK/US Steam.

Yes. I've also gifted about 9 copies of games to folks back in Aus. It's perfectly safe.

Does anyone know if adding funds to a steam wallet (Using an Australian credit card), and then remote desktop connecting into an American computer, logging into steampowered.com and buying a game will work?

I'm trying to get lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 as it is $20 in the US, but $50 in AU :/

Thanks!

Pretty sure it will, as long as the IP address of the remote computer matches the region you're buying from.

Doesn't work. Tried it.

Jay: Yay!

Minorci: Were you talking about my question, or the OP?

Quote from GUNater;406962:
Jay: Yay!

Minorci: Were you talking about my question, or the OP?

There can still be issues, I've had one credit card fail when using a VPN when another would just work instead.

Ok, I'll give it a try and hope for the best!

Quote from GUNater;406965:
Ok, I'll give it a try and hope for the best!

Tell us how you go...