The PC game distribution platform "GOG.com" now supports price display and payment in Japanese yen (JPY).
Previously, when using GOG.com from Japan, games were primarily purchased in U.S. dollars, but now prices on the store can be switched to Japanese yen, and payments can be made directly in yen. Note that U.S. dollar pricing and payment options remain available.
What are the benefits of paying in Japanese yen?
The biggest advantage of paying in Japanese yen is, of course, that it’s easier to know the final payment amount at the time of purchase. When paying in U.S. dollars, the amount is converted to yen based on the exchange rate set by your credit card company, and an international transaction fee may also be added. With yen-denominated payments, you can see exactly how much a game costs in yen right on the store page.
It’s also a small but welcome convenience—especially when buying multiple classic games on sale for just a few dollars each—that you don’t have to do the math every time. However, depending on your payment method, fees may apply even for yen-denominated transactions at overseas merchants, so it’s best to check the terms and conditions of your credit card company or other provider beforehand.
“SWAT 4,” “Theme Park,” “Ultima Underworld”… Games You Can Still Buy on GOG
GOG.com is known not only for the latest titles but also as a store that focuses on the digital distribution and preservation of older PC games. For some titles, GOG is effectively the only option if you’re trying to purchase an official download version from major PC game stores today.
A GOG-exclusive title often cited by fans of classic PC games is the hard-hitting tactical FPS “SWAT 4: Gold Edition,” which challenges players to subdue suspects, make arrests, and secure evidence at crime scenes. In addition to the main game, the expansion pack “The Stetchkov Syndicate” is also included.
Classic amusement park management sims like *Theme Park*, as well as RPGs offering a high degree of freedom of action—such as *Ultima Underworld 1+2*, considered a precursor to so-called “immersive sims” like *Dishonored* and *Deus Ex*—are currently available for purchase on GOG.
Also included is the action RPG *Nox*, where you can choose from classes such as Warrior, Mage, or Summoner to embark on different adventures; the fictional war RTS *World in Conflict: Complete Edition*—in which the Cold War escalates into World War III and the Soviet Army invades the U.S. mainland—which is no longer available on Steam or the official Ubisoft store;“The Wheel of Time,” a first-person action game based on the novel “The Wheel of Time” where you battle using a wide array of magic; and “Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force,” an FPS developed by Raven Software where you undertake missions as part of the special forces aboard the starship Voyager.
As part of the “GOG Preservation Program,” GOG verifies that select older titles run on current versions of Windows and addresses any bugs. A key feature of this store is its commitment to not only continuing to sell older games but also ensuring they remain playable on modern PC systems.
For Japanese customers purchasing these titles, the recent addition of yen pricing and payment support represents a major improvement in terms of ease of use.
However… some games are currently significantly more expensive than on Steam
On the other hand, just because the platform now supports Japanese yen doesn’t mean all games have been priced specifically for the Japanese market.
Game*Spark checked several titles and found that the remastered version of *SILENT HILL 2* is priced at 11,070 yen on GOG.com. In contrast, it sells for 8,580 yen on Steam, making the GOG version 2,490 yen—or about 29 percent—more expensive.
For the 1996 version of *Resident Evil*, the regular price on GOG.com is 1,580 yen, while on Steam it is 1,000 yen. Even during a 50% off sale, the price on GOG is 790 yen, compared to 500 yen on Steam.
However, not all titles are more expensive on GOG.com. For *Baldur’s Gate 3*, the regular price is 8,499 yen on both GOG.com and Steam.In the sale we checked this time, GOG.com was 31% off at 5,900 yen, while Steam was 30% off at 5,949 yen, making GOG slightly cheaper.Additionally, CD PROJEKT RED titles such as *The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt* and *Cyberpunk 2077* appear to be priced the same as on other stores.
When comparing the U.S. dollar and yen prices for *SILENT HILL 2* and *Resident Evil* on GOG, it appears that some titles are currently priced based on an exchange rate of approximately 158 yen per dollar.Based on this, it appears that at present, there is a mix of titles with separate yen prices set specifically for the Japanese market and titles that seem to be priced in yen based on their US dollar prices.
This is a welcome first step. We look forward to future pricing for the Japanese market.
GOG.com’s support for displaying prices and processing payments in Japanese yen is a welcome step that lowers the barrier to entry for Japanese users. On the other hand, there are currently significant differences in how yen prices are set depending on the title. It will be interesting to see if pricing options for the Japanese market expand further in the future, and whether the store itself will support a Japanese-language interface.
Note that the U.S. dollar remains a payment option, so it’s a good idea to compare the yen and dollar prices when making a purchase.
