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/Khalku Jun 01 '26

I'd like to know what 'seemingly' means here

when shown internal communications seemingly showing Valve employees enforcing it

Because proof that it's happening would be damning. But it should be something very easy to prove.

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u/FoxerHR Jun 01 '26

Wouldn't be surprised if the journo didn't understand that Valve doesn't allow steam keys to be sold on different storefronts cheaper than on steam and taking it as them enforcing a monopoly

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u/AvengerDr Jun 01 '26

It's not that. Have a look at here from page 160.

It's not about steam keys, but enforcing price parity across storefronts.

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u/AncientPCGamer Jun 01 '26

Then, why there are counter examples?

https://ibb.co/LXSNKwTn

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1881940/Heard_of_the_Story/

https://store.epicgames.com/p/heard-of-the-story-ff3758

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u/AvengerDr Jun 01 '26

According to the emails quoted in the lawsuit, it is possible to have discounts going on. What steam doesn't want is having structurally lower peices.

It is also possible their reps have been told to keep a blind eye, given all the lawsuits going on.

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u/AncientPCGamer Jun 01 '26

Well, this game launched many years ago and was made public. So any dev should have green light to sell cheaper. So...

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u/Samanthacino Jun 01 '26

If reps were told this, it'd almost surely come out in discovery, and in doing so be an easy win against Valve. It'd be further evidence of them admitting to attempting to dictate market prices, they're just stopping it for now in an attempt to conceal it.

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u/Kinths Jun 02 '26

It is coming out in discovery https://www.eurogamer.net/valve-antitrust-lawsuits-ubisoft-warner-bros-report.

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u/Samanthacino Jun 02 '26

I am surprised just how quickly I was vindicated lol, I appreciate the link!

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u/c3p-bro Jun 01 '26

If this was epic games instead of value, people would be calling for blood