Everything you need to know about regional restrictions on game keys.
What is Region Locking?
Region locking is a restriction that limits where a game key can be activated. Publishers use this to maintain different pricing in different markets.
Types of Region Locks
- Activation Lock: The key can only be activated from certain countries
- Play Lock: The game can only be played from certain countries
- Language Lock: The game may only include certain languages
Common Region Categories
- Global/Worldwide: Works everywhere
- EU/Europe: European countries only
- NA: North America (US, Canada)
- RU/CIS: Russia and former Soviet states
- LATAM: Latin America
- Asia: Asian countries
How to Check Region Restrictions
Before purchasing, always check:
- The store listing for region information
- Steam Database (SteamDB) for specific package details
- Contact the seller if unsure
Using VPN to Activate
While some people use VPNs to activate region-locked keys, this violates the terms of service of most platforms and can result in your account being banned. We do not recommend this practice.