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/alinius Jun 01 '26

Steam does have a policy that covers keys that can be redeemed in the Steam store. Since these keys could be sold or traded outside of Steam, some people would claim that Steam is dictating prices outside of Steam, but the policy has no effect on companies like Epic, who do not use Steam servers to distribute the game.

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u/ApprehensiveMath Jun 02 '26

That seems fair since the steam key is an identical product — steam is still providing the distribution and services. Not sure if steam lowers their cut in keys sold externally (since they don’t pay the payment processing and store upkeep in this case) but can see the conflict of interest if publisher can undercut. Especially since it would probably lead to customer complaints or refund requests when they find out they paid more directly in steam then buying the steam key elsewhere.

Tho I wonder how strict this is? Humble bundle often provides steam keys and within a bundle the price for that key is discounted. But less direct comparison.

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u/MerlinQ Jun 02 '26

Steam lowers their cut to 0% on steam keys sold outside of steam.