Steam is one of the many digital platforms that implemented a 12% VAT on all purchases as part of the Digital Services Law. While Filipinos were expecting that games will be more expensive, GamingPH pointed out that the prices did not increase. What Steam did instead is to include the VAT in the listed game price, and that’s a relief for Filipino gamers as they don’t have to carry the burden of paying the VAT unlike other digital platforms.
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With this move, Valve is passing the VAT to game publishers instead, with them having the call on adjusting the price of their games to account for VAT. While game publishers will be more affected by this move, this shows that Valve values its customers buying games through Steam. Do note that this might not last forever: should publishers decide to not adjust the prices of their games to factor VAT, Valve might have no choice but to increase the price of some titles. Regardless of what will happen in the future, we’re thankful for Valve co-founder Gabe Newell for taking into consideration the consumers first.
