Applies to the Steam edition only

It's no secret that the gaming industry can be prone to some pretty deplorable business practices. Square Enix announced one today that's just another drop in an ever-growing ocean.

Beginning on April 25, Tomb Raider on Steam will offer a Japanese Language pack. The optional add-on will include a Japanese voice track, along with subtitles. The kicker? This added support costs the U.S. equivalent of $30.

Tomb Raider currently costs $50 on Steam. When the packaged version releases in Japan later this month, it will cost approximately $80. It's pretty apparent that the $30 language pack is Square Enix's attempt at balancing the two versions, and maximizing profits while simultaneously bleeding the consumers dry.

It's worth noting that the add-on is completely optional, and no one is forced to buy it. However, $30 (60% of the cost on Steam) for the "luxury" of Japanese players to have it in their native language feels like nothing more than exploitation.

On Steam, Square Enix Wants 30 Bucks to Put Tomb Raider into Japanese [Square Enix Japan via Kotaku]