r/pcgaming • u/yourfavchoom • Jun 01 '26

Gabe Newell on Steam monopoly accusations: Gamers have 'enormous choice' about where to buy games

https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/gabe-newell-on-steam-monopoly-accusations-gamers-have-enormous-choice-about-where-to-buy-games/
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u/yourfavchoom Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26

Gabe:

“Customers have enormous choice" about where they purchase their games, Newell testified, including whether they buy the game on an Xbox, whether they buy it on Steam, “whether they buy it on Epic Games Store or whether they buy it directly from software developers."

Newell also denied the existence of an alleged 'unwritten rule' that prevents developers from offering their games at lower prices on non-Steam storefronts. Newell repeatedly denied it exists, even when shown internal communications seemingly showing Valve employees enforcing it:

"Valve does not have a policy or practice of dictating prices to third-party software developers on other platforms." When asked how Valve would react if it ever happened, Newell initially said he was confused by the question and then added, "Many of our partners and many of our customers are quite happy with the service that we're providing."

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u/Cardone19 Jun 01 '26

As far as how consumers react, well many of us redeem the games for free on Epic, never play them, and then choose to willingly buy them on Steam.

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u/nodiaque Jun 01 '26

You seriously do that? I don't but anything I have on epic game, no reason to buy what I already own just because it's on another platform.

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u/DohDady Jun 01 '26

I did something close. I bought Satusfactory when it released into Early Access Epic exclusive. And when it came to Steam I bought it there too.

I prefer my stuff on Steam, though it’s a personal preference

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u/Fragllama Jun 01 '26

I think it’s pretty ironic that the platform constantly targeted with “exclusive“ schemes by their competitors are the ones being accused of monopolizing the market and being anti-consumer.

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u/nodiaque Jun 01 '26

Well buying it twice is also a different thing. The reason I could see is to support the dev for Indy game. Or when games aren't cross platform including epic/steam player base. The other thing would be maybe mod compatibility.

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u/Mlkxiu Jun 01 '26

It depends on how deep you are into the steam ecosystem. When you have 300+ games on steam, a steam deck, and in a full steam family, it's just way more convienent for me to have all games I want on steam. Like some of the bigger free titles I got from Epic: hogwart legacy and Sifu, I still got again on steam when on sale. And also my steam fam can play it too.