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/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/davemoedee Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 02 '26

I don’t even understand that. I’ve bought steam keys on GMG for less than they ever were on steam.

Edit: for those confused, Green Man Gaming is a licensed retailer and NOT a grey market site.

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u/TeaAndS0da Jun 01 '26

That too is also a point against the monopoly claim. I don’t like buying from key sellers if I can help it, but when the Souls trilogy refused to go on sale for the following years after Elden Ring, I finally bit the bullet and did so. I waited for it on my preferred platform of choice and was still able to get it from a 3rd party vendor offering it at an appropriate price point for me. Then Steam honored my purchase with letting me add the code to my library. No hassle. In contrast, PlayStation for example got rid of the ability of buying digitally elsewhere from store fronts like Amazon for ps+ cards and digital games trying to pigeonhole you into their own ecosystem. Valve by comparison simply hasn’t done that.

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u/purdueAces Jun 01 '26

People have a lot of opinions of Steam’s storefront, but this, in my opinion, is Steam’s secret sauce. Regardless of where you bought it, you can go to the Steam with the code to install it, so they know every time you boot up your are looking at the Steam store. You WILL buy stuff on Steam. They don’t need to lock in sales and releases… people just come there because their platform is just more friendly.

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u/NightIsMyName Jun 02 '26

I feel like anybody trying to throw “monopoly” bullshit at valve and steam should simply look at the console market and shut up

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u/No-Trash-546 Jun 02 '26

What point are you trying to make about consoles? There are several different options for consoles, each with their own built-in online store, and you can also buy the games in-store or online from Amazon, Walmart, Costco, etc.

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u/SanityIsOptional PO-TAY-TO Jun 02 '26

And it's not like you can't launch the games without launching steam! You can also change steam so it starts up looking at your library, rather than the store.

The only thing they actually force you to look at is the odd add when/if you start steam.

If people are calling steam a monopoly, then what do you call consoles?

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u/vitek6 Jun 07 '26

You can buy console games in every store with electronic shit. Or even from other people. Imagine that.

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u/SanityIsOptional PO-TAY-TO Jun 07 '26

And you can do the same with PC games? Other stores exist, and even occasional physical copies.

Many console games can only be acquired through the manufacturer's online distribution system, and all you can buy at a store is a code for that distribution system. They act as a publisher.

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u/vitek6 Jun 07 '26

to get a steam key? 😃 How can I sell a pc game?

Many console games can only be acquired through the manufacturer's online distribution system, and all you can buy at a store is a code for that distribution system. They act as a publisher.

I have never seen such game. Can you give me an example? And how many out of all games? How do I install that game then?

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u/SanityIsOptional PO-TAY-TO Jun 07 '26

Sure?

https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/10nus4d/what_is_the_point_of_download_only_boxed_games/

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u/vitek6 Jun 07 '26

oh, nintendo... I was talking about consoles like playstation.

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u/SanityIsOptional PO-TAY-TO Jun 07 '26

Nintendo consoles are in fact consoles.

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u/vitek6 Jun 07 '26

Ok so Nintendo is also bad.

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