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General discussion (archive)Question about digital content and changing countries(20 posts)solved(20 posts)solved
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Posted December 19, 2012
So I am in a transitional period of life and my wife and I started talking about where to go from here. It occurred to us that we are no longer really limited to the US in this global world we have so we are considering much larger options.

The question I have though, is what happens to all my digital content if I move to another country? I have Steam, XBox Live, GOG, GameFly, GameStop, and Amazon content currently. I have downloaded all the installers and saved them on a backup drive, but has anyone ever moved from one country to another and had issues with getting to their content? Especially the DRM stuff, I imagine it might balk at an IP from a non-US location?
This question / problem has been solved by JudasIscariotimage
Posted December 19, 2012
I don't think you'll have problems with it. There's lots of people here who move often to other countries, and I don't recall any of them saying they had any problems.
Posted December 19, 2012
With GOG there weren't any problems for me when I was a client. All I did was log on to my account here in Poland and I was able to download all the games I purchased without a hassle.

-speaking from experience having moved from the US to Poland.
Posted December 19, 2012
Most of them should be fine. You might run into occasional problems with Steam if you move to a country where a game is banned (maybe Germany or Japan).
Posted December 19, 2012
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SirPrimalform: Most of them should be fine. You might run into occasional problems with Steam if you move to a country where a game is banned (maybe Germany or Japan).
Indeed - the other problem being where games are censored. Other than that, steam at least should work out (little experience of other drm sites im afraid!).

On the other hand, you may find some regions you have a better deal of uncensored stuff or a better package attributed (i think the latter is unlikely though!)
Post edited December 19, 2012 by Sachys
Posted December 19, 2012
The only game that's affected by regional stuff on GOG is the Witcher 2, and then only if you're in Australia. None of their other products are regionally-restricted or priced, and the only reason the Witcher 2 is any different is because a) Namco are assholes, and b) the courts ordered them to.

On other sites, though... you *may* run into some problems depending on which games are on which service and where you happen to be at the time.
Posted December 19, 2012
You most likely have to update your payment info to the country you are moving to. Many stores don't like it when your payment method and the ip of the country you use don't match. This is a) a way to enforce regional restrictions more and b) a security measurement.

Steam: Won't be a problem if you take care of the matching payment option. There where some VERY rare cases where an uncencored version of a game was exchanged for the censored one in Germany or was changed to the Russian version in eastern Europe but in 90% of the cases you will stay with the Version you have bought/redeemed on Steam.

Gog: Should also be fine but I think there where once some problems with the payment options not matching thing.

Amazon: Since it seems to be possible to purchase digital games form Amazon.com without problem from most other countries this shouldn't be a problem.

Xbox Live: I would call the support after you move. They sometimes seem to be really pissy about that stuff but it should be no problem if you call them to change your region.
Posted December 19, 2012
I live in Thailand but travel all over, including Europe. I only shop at GOG and GamersGate but never had a problem with either of them including buying a game in a country like Spain or Malaysia and downloading it in Thailand.

In Europe, however, you will find you can only access sites like GamersGate or Steam via their European servers, which means games are priced in euros so are more expensive. That's why I usually only buy games when I'm in Thailand or other parts of Asia as I get US prices. As for GOG, though, same price everywhere (I love GOG :)

I also use PayPal for everything. Once they've established you use their service from various international IPs, there's never a problem. Same with my US bank. I can use my debit card online from anywhere.

But....if you don't notify PayPal, for instance, before you move that you're likely to be buying things online from various international IPs, chances are they will put a block on what you are allowed to do online. My father, for instance, can't use his PayPal account from Spain to transfer money to anyone but he CAN use it to buy things online.

Best thing with financial institutions, IMO, is just notify them you are going to be out of the country for a while and they'll make a note on your record.

BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)

BTW, ever considered teaching in Thailand? There are jobs everywhere, the country is fabulous, incredibly safe, very cheap,. phenomenal lifestyle and the Thais are amazing. :)
Posted December 19, 2012
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PCGameGuy: So I am in a transitional period of life and my wife and I started talking about where to go from here. It occurred to us that we are no longer really limited to the US in this global world we have so we are considering much larger options.

The question I have though, is what happens to all my digital content if I move to another country? I have Steam, XBox Live, GOG, GameFly, GameStop, and Amazon content currently. I have downloaded all the installers and saved them on a backup drive, but has anyone ever moved from one country to another and had issues with getting to their content? Especially the DRM stuff, I imagine it might balk at an IP from a non-US location?
It depends where you move to.
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Bloodygoodgames: BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)
Unfortunately, you need lots of money to leave the USA and start living somewhere else.... So I'm trapped here. I can't just click my heels three times and say, there is no place like Thailand. :(
Post edited December 19, 2012 by langurmonkey
Posted December 19, 2012
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bevinator: The only game that's affected by regional stuff on GOG is the Witcher 2, and then only if you're in Australia.
Or New Zealand, since they're considered the same region by Namco.

Also, this is only dependent on your location when you buy the game (or redeem a code for it). Not when you download it.

Then there's the price, which is regional (Europe/Australia/Restoftheworld, I think).
Post edited December 19, 2012 by Miaghstir
Posted December 20, 2012
Thank you all! I knew I could count on getting good answers here, this is one of the best forums I've been on in decades. :)
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Bloodygoodgames: I live in Thailand but travel all over, including Europe. I only shop at GOG and GamersGate but never had a problem with either of them including buying a game in a country like Spain or Malaysia and downloading it in Thailand.

In Europe, however, you will find you can only access sites like GamersGate or Steam via their European servers, which means games are priced in euros so are more expensive. That's why I usually only buy games when I'm in Thailand or other parts of Asia as I get US prices. As for GOG, though, same price everywhere (I love GOG :)

I also use PayPal for everything. Once they've established you use their service from various international IPs, there's never a problem. Same with my US bank. I can use my debit card online from anywhere.

But....if you don't notify PayPal, for instance, before you move that you're likely to be buying things online from various international IPs, chances are they will put a block on what you are allowed to do online. My father, for instance, can't use his PayPal account from Spain to transfer money to anyone but he CAN use it to buy things online.

Best thing with financial institutions, IMO, is just notify them you are going to be out of the country for a while and they'll make a note on your record.

BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)

BTW, ever considered teaching in Thailand? There are jobs everywhere, the country is fabulous, incredibly safe, very cheap,. phenomenal lifestyle and the Thais are amazing. :)
That actually sounds pretty good to me but I have no teaching skills whatsoever. :) My wife is getting her paralegal AAS next month but I have always worked tech since high school so I am 43 with nothing but a high school diploma and 4 years of military service on paper. :P
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bevinator: The only game that's affected by regional stuff on GOG is the Witcher 2, and then only if you're in Australia.
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Miaghstir: Or New Zealand, since they're considered the same region by Namco.

Also, this is only dependent on your location when you buy the game (or redeem a code for it). Not when you download it.

Then there's the price, which is regional (Europe/Australia/Restoftheworld, I think).
So going forward I may encounter price issues if I am not careful and clear things with PayPal and such, but all my current stuff should work fine it sounds like. I already bought The Witcher 2, when I had money I used it to support companies I want to do well and CD Projekt (and GOG) is definitely on the list!
Post edited December 20, 2012 by PCGameGuy
Posted December 20, 2012
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PCGameGuy: So I am in a transitional period of life and my wife and I started talking about where to go from here. It occurred to us that we are no longer really limited to the US in this global world we have so we are considering much larger options.

The question I have though, is what happens to all my digital content if I move to another country? I have Steam, XBox Live, GOG, GameFly, GameStop, and Amazon content currently. I have downloaded all the installers and saved them on a backup drive, but has anyone ever moved from one country to another and had issues with getting to their content? Especially the DRM stuff, I imagine it might balk at an IP from a non-US location?
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langurmonkey: It depends where you move to.
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Bloodygoodgames: BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)
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langurmonkey: Unfortunately, you need lots of money to leave the USA and start living somewhere else.... So I'm trapped here. I can't just click my heels three times and say, there is no place like Thailand. :(
Plane fare, 3 month tourist visa for Thailand (30 bucks) and about $1,800 would pay your rent for a month plus deposit plus enough money to live on for at least a month. People who come to teach in Thailand usually get a job within 2-3 days. It took me 24 hours :)
Posted December 20, 2012
avatar
PCGameGuy: So I am in a transitional period of life and my wife and I started talking about where to go from here. It occurred to us that we are no longer really limited to the US in this global world we have so we are considering much larger options.

The question I have though, is what happens to all my digital content if I move to another country? I have Steam, XBox Live, GOG, GameFly, GameStop, and Amazon content currently. I have downloaded all the installers and saved them on a backup drive, but has anyone ever moved from one country to another and had issues with getting to their content? Especially the DRM stuff, I imagine it might balk at an IP from a non-US location?
avatar
langurmonkey: It depends where you move to.
avatar
Bloodygoodgames: BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)
avatar
langurmonkey: Unfortunately, you need lots of money to leave the USA and start living somewhere else.... So I'm trapped here. I can't just click my heels three times and say, there is no place like Thailand. :(
Having just had to file bankruptcy and losing our home, we are now somewhat freer in what we can do with ourselves at this point. Kids are grown and we have no bills as of early next year, so we can just work at what we can and save up to go wherever. The hard part is letting go of security and since they took care of that for us we get the fun part of trying something new! :)
Posted December 20, 2012
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PCGameGuy: Thank you all! I knew I could count on getting good answers here, this is one of the best forums I've been on in decades. :)
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Bloodygoodgames: I live in Thailand but travel all over, including Europe. I only shop at GOG and GamersGate but never had a problem with either of them including buying a game in a country like Spain or Malaysia and downloading it in Thailand.

In Europe, however, you will find you can only access sites like GamersGate or Steam via their European servers, which means games are priced in euros so are more expensive. That's why I usually only buy games when I'm in Thailand or other parts of Asia as I get US prices. As for GOG, though, same price everywhere (I love GOG :)

I also use PayPal for everything. Once they've established you use their service from various international IPs, there's never a problem. Same with my US bank. I can use my debit card online from anywhere.

But....if you don't notify PayPal, for instance, before you move that you're likely to be buying things online from various international IPs, chances are they will put a block on what you are allowed to do online. My father, for instance, can't use his PayPal account from Spain to transfer money to anyone but he CAN use it to buy things online.

Best thing with financial institutions, IMO, is just notify them you are going to be out of the country for a while and they'll make a note on your record.

BTW, I left the US 10 years ago and have only ever been back twice. Would never live there again, a fact which many Americans I know discovered too once they left. Wouldn't be surprised if you discovered the same :)

BTW, ever considered teaching in Thailand? There are jobs everywhere, the country is fabulous, incredibly safe, very cheap,. phenomenal lifestyle and the Thais are amazing. :)
avatar
PCGameGuy: That actually sounds pretty good to me but I have no teaching skills whatsoever. :) My wife is getting her paralegal AAS next month but I have always worked tech since high school so I am 43 with nothing but a high school diploma and 4 years of military service on paper. :P
LOL, you'd fit right in. What you describe is about 70 percent of the foreign teachers in Thailand, including half of my friends :)
Posted December 20, 2012
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langurmonkey: It depends where you move to.

Unfortunately, you need lots of money to leave the USA and start living somewhere else.... So I'm trapped here. I can't just click my heels three times and say, there is no place like Thailand. :(
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Bloodygoodgames: Plane fare, 3 month tourist visa for Thailand (30 bucks) and about $1,800 would pay your rent for a month plus deposit plus enough money to live on for at least a month. People who come to teach in Thailand usually get a job within 2-3 days. It took me 24 hours :)
Not bad. :)
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General discussion (archive)Question about digital content and changing countries(20 posts)solved(20 posts)solved
(20 posts)solved