http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/17/steam-region-locking/

So it seems Valve is region locking now. Not only Russia, but reports that Brazil, Indonesia and their neighboring areas are affected too. So:

The "BRIC"just sank?

Is this OK? Isn't this an old pratice that was about to end? 

its right atm. the rubel is falling to fast

I don't like it actually....

Honestly, I prefer they just put the same price tag for all the country than doing this move.... like before....

Didn't even know they were region free.

But whatever, Valve is a private company that can do whatever it wants and as such is impervious to any criticism of their business practices.

Horrible news, especially since many people traded for Russian games without knowing and are now locked out of them.

Well, it sucks for some but I think the reason they did this was cause there were many online stores buying the games for cheap and then reselling them for a higher amount cause there are a lot of games that sell for significantly less in certain parts of the world compared to say NA just because of the economy and etc. Sniper Elite had this issue where many of its steam keys were bought from stores that were selling them for veryyyy cheap and from what I heard, the reason they were able to do so was cause they bought it from a country where the prices are lower to adjust for the eco and selling the game to say NA for a higher USD. And of course, the developer and steam does not get that addition profit that those stores were making!

Anyway heres the full restriction list:

RU Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Malaysia Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Thai Baht Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Indonesian Rupiah Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Philippine Peso Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

CIS - U.S. Dollar Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Turkish Lira Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Turkey.

Brazilian Real Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bahamas, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, El Salvador, Uruguay and Venezuela.2

Mexican Peso Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Bahamas, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, El Salvador, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Singapore Dollar Notice: Gift purchases for Crusader Kings II can only be added to the gift recipient's library if they are in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Japanese Yen No restriction note

Norwegian Krone No restriction note

Canadian Dollar No restriction note

U.S. Dollar No restriction note

British Pound No restriction note

Euros (Tier 1) No restriction note34

Euros (Tier 2) No restriction note5

http://kotaku.com/you-cant-gift-steam-games-wherever-you-want-anymore-1672525767

TO be honest it doesn't really bother me but what does bother me is going to official game forums to seek out advice or start a thread, only to find a good chunk of the game threads are full of Russians who refuse to learn or speak english, this wasn't the case 4-5 years ago, it's only gotten worse in my eyes and makes me wish Valve made a Steam store and forum for Russian players/people who don't speak english in general.

It is stupid.. Buying from the states or UK is so much cheaper than most other europeam countries... If they dont earn more then they shouldnt do it as it just means being able to buy more titles. If they do earn more then they are just gouging consumers from those countries. Region locking is never a good thing and should only be implemented when required by local laws.

Forcing a language on anyone is pretty stupid..  What it you were suddenly forced to learn german to voice yourself on the internet.  Or speak spanish  or maybe mandarin. Contrary to popular belief,  english isnt the universal language of the world. Especially now that all english speaking countries are in recession.  For all we know chinese could be the main form of communication in 20 years.  Especially if they continue to grow in economic power and population like they currently do. 

I bought many games the day they came out because of how cheap traders sold them, but if they think i'm gonna pay 60 bucks for a fucking digital game with DRM they can sit and wait because that's not happening. Getting all next triple A games for the PS4, u can find them for 45$ if you search. Physical copy and no DRM : )