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RP Price Adjustment in Canada

RiotWingfield·3/5/2015, 8:00:28 PM·57 votes·133,237 views

In an effort to ensure price equality on the server and respond to rising costs caused by recent economic shifts, we are adjusting the cost of RP in Canada on March 20th.

Specifically, this will result in an approximately 13% increase in the cost of RP for Canadian players, which we’ll implement by adjusting the amount of RP available at the different price points (for example a 10 CAD purchase will get you 1100 RP instead of 1275 RP). This change will only affect RP purchases made after March 20th. The RP price of content will be unaffected.

What the hell Riot?

To be fair to all players, we attempt to keep RP prices in relative balance, especially when on the same server. Back in September, the Canadian dollar started weakening against the US dollar and it caught us by surprise. This depreciation has resulted in pricing discrepancies between the North American countries. We monitored the situation for several months hoping that it would recover, but we are now at a point where a price change is necessary.

Unfortunately, this difference cannot be solved by simply reducing US prices, as most of our costs come from the US (because that’s where we’re based), and the US dollar is rising. The price increase will help partially offset these higher costs.

This change will take effect in two weeks on March 20th. We are delaying the actual change in prices so that players are not caught by surprise and have ample time to adjust.

Here are the new amounts of RP you will receive as of 3/20/2015 for all payment methods

5 CAD: 520 RP 10 CAD: 1100 RP 20 CAD: 2250 RP 25 CAD (prepaid cards only): 2800 RP 35 CAD: 4000 RP 50 CAD: 5775 RP 100 CAD: 12000 RP

If you have any questions about this process please post them in the comments below!

EDIT:

FAQ based on the common questions below.

Q1. I'm Canadian, why am I getting charged in USD?

  • Canadian players can currently purchase RP in either USD or CAD at their preference (it should default to CAD). You can change the payment option to the USD or CAD at the bottom of the "Step 1: Select Purchase Method" in the Purchase RP flow.

Q2. Wtf Riot? Does Canada really pay more than the US?

  • In terms of RP purchases, Canadians are actually currently paying less than US players for the same amount of RP in equivalent currencies. Math back up below:

  • Canadian players paying in CAD are getting approximately 150 RP to the US dollar. US Players paying in USD are getting 130 RP to the US dollar. There's currently an inequality between countries on the same server (NA). Assuming current USD to CAD exchange rates hold where they are as of writing, on March 20th Canadian players paying in CAD will be getting 130RP to the US dollar, just like their US counterparts.

Q3. I am already paying in USD, so won't this change impact me twice?

  • If you're already paying in USD, this adjustment will have no effect on you. Your preferred payment method was/is already converting the US price to Canadian dollars at the current exchange rate. Since you're paying in USD you will get the USD RP amounts, which are not changing in this adjustment.

March 20th Edit:

Hey Everyone,

The prices have been adjusted according to the above schedule.

418 Comments

Kargarok3/5/2015, 9:50:08 PM103 votes

Fuck you Riot. When I'm buying RP, I'm being charged with US DOLLARS. So, we are going to pay even MORE for even LESS. GG Rito, wont buy any RP from now own

EnvyDragon3/5/2015, 10:10:34 PM51 votes

Why can't you just charge USD and let the conversion happen fluidly?

That way, when the Canadian dollar goes back up again (as it almost ALWAYS does, our dollar follows yours pretty closely) we won't get arbitrarily shafted. Y'know. Like this.

Yeah, I think I'm done buying RP.

EDIT: It would be irresponsible for me not to note: I've discovered it IS possible to have the purchases take place in USD, with the USD amounts and packages therein. In the "Purchase RP" section you can literally look at the bottom of the column for payment options, and it says "Currently showing payment options for Canada [Change]" and you can just click the word change to go to USD. See here:

http://i.imgur.com/sBNrUgO.jpg

So the answer to "why can't you do this" is that you totally CAN do this. Admittedly it isn't all that clear and visible that USD is an option, but you can totally do it if you want to.

Sorry about that! I didn't look into it in enough detail. Thanks for the option, Riot.

Shouju3/5/2015, 10:12:55 PM36 votes

Yeah... This is kind of disgusting. If CAD recovers or ever overtakes USD, you damn well better be changing it then.
Don't get me wrong, I get it, you gotta make money. And thank you for giving us all warning. But if you don't change it back in the reverse situation, expect some serious and well deserved backlash.

Crate of Cobras3/5/2015, 9:26:39 PM33 votes

So basically it's pricing equity, but will become pricing discrimination as soon as the dollar goes up?

Sweet.

Civil Dawn3/5/2015, 9:25:54 PM27 votes

Poor Canada :(

Excalionar3/5/2015, 10:38:17 PM26 votes

If you were really doing this to get the prices to match currency fluctuation and to be

Fair to all players

you wouldn't have left the 100 dollar package the exact same as it is right now in Canadian dollars. You're just trying to make the more popular, smaller, and less expensive packages more costly to encourage us to drop more money in one sitting. That's the long and the short of it. Sugar coating it in fairness and fancy references to the economy is just embarrassing.

Although this isn't a huge deal to be honest. People will still buy RP, but it's really scummy coming from a company who reported a billion dollars in sales from micro-transactions last year. What do you have to be afraid of? Why do you feel the need to secure more profit? We're always going to be here.

Starcall Casey3/6/2015, 12:58:56 AM24 votes

I swear to God if this goes threw even after WE ALL HAVE TO PAY IN USD ANYWAYS, I will no longer buy a single dollar's worth of RP. If I want to buy $100 worth of RP I still have to pay USD, I still get less RP for my money then US citizens, and now I get even less RP for paying that much? I would be missing out on 17 000 RP with this change. Like seriously, You Got to be fucking kidding us!? IS this an early April fools joke?

Project Riven3/6/2015, 6:22:15 PM24 votes

Let me get this straight.

You guys are increasing the price of digital currency that

  1. Costs you guys zilch to generate
  2. That has no real value in the real market
  3. Is not affected by supply and demand

And you guys are tying it to the rise and fall of CAD?

What kind of scam is this?

Safeworks3/6/2015, 12:12:39 AM23 votes

Well looks like I won't be buying any more rp from now on. FUCK YOU RIOT!!! sincerely, One Angry Canadian

Mikayle3/6/2015, 2:14:23 AM20 votes

just logged in to my Bnet account. WoW sub - Same CND$ as USD$ Hearthstone card packs...same $ amount Heroes of storm...Same $$ amount...

Steam - Same CND$ as USD$

lol i mean come on. like really? If all the other big digital guys aren't doing it what is your excuse? Just do a flat RP increase to everyone instead of fucking over the nonamericans -.-

Missing Number3/6/2015, 12:06:53 AM19 votes

and bam, you just lost money item 3301

sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this business faux pas will most certainly be apparent by the next paycheck as it is easy to see that certain players will no longer be 'wasting' their money

i certainly hope there is some campaign you guys can muster up to winback the hearts of the canadian when you realize the mistake

i honestly do feel you'll lose on this venture, and the comeback will unfortunately cost more than the money gained. When you guys realize that, be sure to thank( summoner 11 )the one who thought it up

Nostatìc3/5/2015, 9:30:48 PM17 votes

Every time I buy RP it charges me for the American dollar on my credit card already..... What are you going to do when China asks for their 16trillion dollars back and the American dollar is no longer the world trade currency.. And worth less than Ethiopia's?

lvl 2 lagspike3/6/2015, 1:10:58 AM16 votes

Guess who has two thumbs and is never going to waste another cent on this game.

P.s Answer is me.

DynamicPulse3/5/2015, 11:01:55 PM16 votes

This is ridiculous. Id rather pay the currency difference than actually get less RP. Now i might have to buy RP twice in stead of once for the SAME ITEMS!! This seems like a greedy greedy move. There better be some guarantee that if the Canadian Dollar is above the USD we get a price match or something at least. Thanks for fucking Canadian players, dont forget to take the condom off. Greedy bastards

King Asgore3/6/2015, 1:53:52 AM16 votes

So, let me get this straight for myself. Just gonna ask politely (That's the Canadian thing to do, right?)

I'm going to be paying more for less in shorter words

The prices of USD and CAD are always changing; it's never constant. If CAD recovers (It almost always does) or ever overtakes USD, will you as well apply changes? I mean, that would only be fair for all players right?

blessthekellen3/6/2015, 1:29:25 AM15 votes

So riot,

You plan to have RP act like a stock exchange?

So are you going to adjust these values daily depending on how the CAN $ is reacting in the stock market?

So once we are back on par once oil prices raise to around $100 a barrel are you going to give a BIGSORRY and readjust the pricing?

Doubt it.

Norm20003/5/2015, 11:04:35 PM14 votes

UPDATED - Checked recent statements with RP purchases, was charged in CDN funds. Never assume, makes an ass out of you and me. In this case, us and Riot.

This doesn't make any sense at all. I could understand this if you charged us in CDN funds, but you don't. You charge us canucks in USD on our credit cards, meaning we will still be paying the higher amount for less RP.

Are you changing the system so that us Canadians who decide to still buy RP, will be charged in CDN dollars? Because if you are not, you're only screwing over those who support Riot up north.

I have spent enough money on RP, and I honestly do not regret it at all (I'm afraid to ask you how much exactly I've spent). But this just seems wrong. I was honestly thinking that I may want to purchase more RP soon, so I could gift skins to friends, or get myself any cool new skin you release, but with these changes, I do not see the point.

I honestly feel like this is being done, with the only reason being, "We want more money". If you're making this change because you need more income to bring better stability to some servers, or hire more people so you can get out certain things quicker, then just tell us that.

P.S. Please do not take this post as bashing, or offensive. I am just venting out what it looks like to someone who has supported you guys for years now, and even with a pricing change, will continue to. I do fully enjoy your game, and the interaction Riot has with the community.

ULTRAF0RCE3/5/2015, 8:59:13 PM13 votes

Just a question, are you guys currently set up to be ready for if/when the Canadian dollar begins to increase and becomes comparable again to the American dollar. Would like to since it seems highly unlikely that the dollar won't eventually recover.

SoupOstrich3/5/2015, 10:28:37 PM12 votes

Welp won't be buying RP for a while now... nice job rito

Phife3/5/2015, 9:39:25 PM11 votes

Fuk dat shit

Karfuss3/6/2015, 12:35:00 AM10 votes

The community response is entirely identical in the forum announcement of our royal shafting we're receiving in EU. United we stand, divided we fall.

cpow3/6/2015, 12:34:31 AM9 votes

This is utter bullshit.

Rakvir3/6/2015, 3:28:49 PM9 votes

So, Riot, we have to go down THIS road, eh?

Okay, you have your little fun jerking us Canadians (and Canadiens...damn french-ies! lol, I kid, we're all good) but you had better damn well start putting pressure on Canadian ISPs to stop throttling LoL activity. I have to use my phone as a mobile hotspot because whether it be Telus, Rogers, or any other major ISP (hell, even the small, independant ones are greedy and picky as all-get-out!), we have some of the most atrocious, disgustingly sad and pathetic substandard internet price schemes in the developed world.

If you're going to hit us all with a blanket price gouge, you need to pick up a bit on some customer satisfaction or else I can guarantee you that when our dollar surpasses YOUR country's yo-yo economy for YET. ANOTHER. TIME. (as it always, inevitably does), I'd much rather put my hard-earned money towards a company with more tolerable business practices.

I can't believe I actually bought another $50 of RP just a couple days ago, now that I learn of this insult. >=(

Infînity3/5/2015, 11:00:03 PM9 votes

Okay Riot, I understand that yes, you do need to make money but this really discourages me and many other from buying any further RP. 1100? Really? That's good for one skin. Considering all the prices of your skins now are 750 or above and that you haven't pushed out or given us any updates on the recolour skins, 1100 RP is miniscule. You're basically forcing us to wait for sales or buy lower price skins now, and I find that highly unacceptable from a company like yourself. Honestly, 1100 RP is not fair.

I know I don't speak for all when I make my argument but this is a bit over the top. When I started getting 1275 rather than the normal 1380 I used to get when buying RP I didn't think much of it as I can still make use of 1275 RP, but 1100 will get you ONE decently made skin. The remaining skins that are, for the most part, not worth the 520 as they are mostly simple changes to the base art, much like your suggested recolours that we have yet to see.

This is most likely upsetting many others and is upsetting me. I honestly can't believe you'd do this.

Ceramic3/6/2015, 11:54:36 AM9 votes

American does it again boys. We can all thank uncle Ryze

Séverin3/6/2015, 12:41:22 AM9 votes

To reinforce what your audience has been saying, the fact that us Canadians STILL PAY IN USD and will now have to pay that extra on top of our low dollar and conversion rate, this price change is incredibly unfair. I hope you will reconsider the consequences of this action justly.

Rhymund3/7/2015, 7:15:05 AM9 votes

"In an effort to ensure price equality on the server and respond to rising costs caused by recent economic shifts, we are adjusting the cost of RP in Canada on March 20th."

Most of your post is pretty rubbish using the economic theory of price equality and you need to pay closer attention to class before you start applying theories into practice because it does not work in this case.

Price equality only works in a system when there is actually perfect competition and means of production involved but in this case, Riot Games has full control over the market and RP is not the result of the means of production(it's just a number and takes no effort to produce, it has no VALUE). Therefore it does not matter if the math proves that the Canadian dollar is worth less than the US because this is a problem of improper application of economics. Unless RP was a international currency used in multiple online games like Bitcoins then this is just another case of Riot Games abusing customers.

The proper way to adjust prices for drops in foreign currency is to increase the cost of skins and other digital content relative to the foreign currency and stagnating RP prices. What you are doing is a lazy and unprofessional because instead of spending time to increase cost of digital content relative how you obtained the RP through different currency you increase the cost of the digital currency and reduce it's value. In practice this means that Canadians who own skins of the same kind compared to their US counterparts are actually more expensive (IN GAME) than those of their United States brothers because they are paying for the same RP at a higher rate and reduced value. This is the result when you increase the "value" a virtual currency instead of the actual products that involve a wage, and means of production(these have VALUE).

Seems to me you are lazy to adjust prices for all digital content on the store and thought that by changing the only way to obtain the digital content RP you would make your life easier.

If you wanted to do this you are better off removing the whole concept of RP from the store and charging customers USD for digital content. Take a look at Dota 2.

I cannot believe Riot Games hired you. Edit: Oh for your concern I have paid for RP in USD for over FIVE YEARS and I live in Canada, you been living under a rock good sir.

Goose Named Duck3/6/2015, 2:18:14 AM9 votes

Guess I won't be buying anymore RP, this is ridiculous

What bothers me most is that being (IMO) the most popular MOBA, you'd think you would be doing extremely well financially to just leave well enough alone.

MoveQuick3/6/2015, 3:30:51 AM9 votes

To reiterate here, I also will not be buying any more RP until this is remedied

MarkedOfKane3/6/2015, 8:22:44 PM9 votes

As if RP wasn't already expensive enough.

I have bought plenty of RP. Not buying anymore. Your loss Riot.

559873/6/2015, 5:53:00 AM9 votes

Thanks for giving me the final push I needed to quit this game. Riot is just another greedy company that doesn't care about its player base.

Titanusse3/6/2015, 1:27:15 AM8 votes

Oh Fan, fucking, Tastic. Sooooo Glad that it already cost us more cash to get rp! We havent been able to buy rp at the ame price as americans for a while. Now we get Even less for way the fuck more Wooo! riot for the love of fuck this is just ripping us off. why do you have to be an asshole about this?

bogo sipda3/6/2015, 6:24:26 AM8 votes

time to make like phantoml0rd and take my money somewhere else lmfao

The AlMightyPush3/6/2015, 5:28:11 PM8 votes

You're the first company i've seen do this. I've been spending my money on steam and maplestory for years. Even as our dollar fluctuated, their prices did not.

Fatality Shift3/6/2015, 9:19:03 AM7 votes

As someone who has spent alot of money on this game and enjoys it very much.This is ridiculous i would much rather pay $12.50 for 1350RP instead of paying $10 for 1100RP that is utter shit i mean come on the first change pissed me off.The RP amount should never change just the amount it costs to buy the RP. This change just like the first change bothers me because you will need to spend even more then you want originally i don't want to spend $20 for 2200RP when all i would need is 1350RP like come on riot...

Praetor Don3/6/2015, 3:33:12 AM7 votes

Gotta pay for those East Coast servers somehow.

In all seriousness, this really sucks.

Banana Tropic3/6/2015, 8:56:02 PM7 votes

RIOT=Money Whore

MiMeMo3/6/2015, 1:47:12 AM7 votes

Seen other gaming companies do this as soon as the Papers/Tv have a "crisis" then when it goes back the companies always "forget" to change back the price to what it was before, If you wanna raise the price lest be honest and simply raise the price dont be a lying hypocrite.

If you think this doesnt piss me off on a major vein busting level your wrong and im not even candian

ImHerVoice3/9/2015, 10:53:17 PM7 votes

riot goes out of its way to earn downvotes

Futalicious3/8/2015, 4:02:25 PM6 votes

Riot, unless you decide to ACTIVELY change the Canadian/CAD prices as our dollar fluctuates you will be losing Canadian customers. As I'm a guy who follows the dollar intently for my dad who is a long haul truck driver who goes into America twice a week unless you can keep the Canadian dollar exactly in line with the American dollar you won't be getting any money from me. It would be cheaper/better for me to focus my income, time, and effort on World Of Warcraft if you increase the CAD->RP value. Sure it's "not in line" with American RP per USD but consider our cost of living. Just because we get more RP per CAD does NOT mean we are saving money. Everything costs more in Canada so we'd love a break somewhere. Every service is slowly cracking down on "OMG CANADIANS SAVE $1 FUCK GOTTA STOP THAT GG NO RE OH GOD PLS STOP" so we feel very alienated by every online gaming service. Riot please, make the right choice and give us the smallest break you can. Hell, even if you give us 10RP more per dollar you'll see a dramatic increase of sales from Canada EDIT: I forgot to mention how fast our dollar fluctuates sometimes. You could see a few CAD dollar increase or decrease in 2 days. You guys really need to monitor this and keep on top of giving us a fair CAD->RP deal or you'll be losing out on tons of customers. Do not let anything get in the way of providing a fair experience to all users not just ones in your home country. I will continue being a loyal Riot customer if you can keep up with the dollar value