the verge As Epic v. Apple approaches the courtroom, Valve is getting sued over Steam too

[UltraMega]

Quote

Just two days before Apple gets dragged into a California court to justify its 30 percent App Store fee — and two days after Microsoft axed its 30 percent cut on PC — we’re learning that gaming giant Valve is now facing down lawsuits against its own 30 percent cut and alleged anticompetitive practices with its PC gaming platform Steam.

 

“Valve abuses its market power to ensure game publishers have no choice but to sell most of their games through the Steam Store, where they are subject to Valve’s 30% toll,” argues indie game developer and Humble Bundle creator Wolfire Games, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday (via Ars Technica).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/as-epic-v-apple-approaches-the-courtroom-valve-is-getting-sued-over-steam-too/ar-BB1ggz4h?ocid=mmx&PC=EMMX20

 

Humble bundle is even involved now. This is getting messy. Interesting how Microsoft just lowered their fee to 12%. I wonder if they sense which way the wind is blowing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Andrew]

Quote

“Valve abuses its market power to ensure game publishers have no choice but to sell most of their games through the Steam Store, where they are subject to Valve’s 30% toll,” argues indie game developer and Humble Bundle creator Wolfire Games

No they don't? Valve don't give any incentives to any publisher/developer to have their games as a Steam exclusive. The publishers/developers decide to make their games a Steam exclusive because it's the easiest way to do it with the largest marketshare. Nothing is stopping them from selling it elsewhere exclusively or as well as on Steam.

 

I don't see this lawsuit going anywhere.

[UltraMega]

1 hour ago, Andrew said:

No they don't? Valve don't give any incentives to any publisher/developer to have their games as a Steam exclusive. The publishers/developers decide to make their games a Steam exclusive because it's the easiest way to do it with the largest marketshare. Nothing is stopping them from selling it elsewhere exclusively or as well as on Steam.

 

I don't see this lawsuit going anywhere.

 

 

From the source: 

Quote

Steam doesn’t allow publishers to sell PC games and game keys for less money elsewhere

That in turn means rival game platforms can’t compete on price, which keeps them from getting a foothold

That part seems pretty anticompetitive to me. 

[schuck6566]

20 hours ago, UltraMega said:

Steam doesn’t allow publishers to sell PC games and game keys for less money elsewhere

That in turn means rival game platforms can’t compete on price, which keeps them from getting a foothold

Well, Considering I've purchased games on sale CHEAPER straight from ubisoft's site and from CDKeys then just put the code in on steams site. latest example was Destiny 2's Beyond Light Deluxe Edition. Shown are the prices it sells on Steam for,AND the price I bought it for from CDKeys. Also the link from steam to add keys purchased elsewhere. I think you'll see I managed a pretty good savings.I've also bought keys straight from ubi,and used them on other sites.Oh,I added a pic of the content in my library in case anyone wondered if the key worked.

Edited May 3, 2021 by schuck6566
added content

[UltraMega]

3 hours ago, schuck6566 said:

Well, Considering I've purchased games on sale CHEAPER straight from ubisoft's site and from CDKeys then just put the code in on steams site. latest example was Destiny 2's Beyond Light Deluxe Edition. Shown are the prices it sells on Steam for,AND the price I bought it for from CDKeys. Also the link from steam to add keys purchased elsewhere. I think you'll see I managed a pretty good savings.I've also bought keys straight from ubi,and used them on other sites.Oh,I added a pic of the content in my library in case anyone wondered if the key worked.

Ubisoft games don't sell on steam anymore. There are still a few older games from before Ubi ditched steam but that's it. 

 

And we all know those cd key sites violate steams rules even though they work. 

Edited May 3, 2021 by UltraMega

[Diffident]

On 5/2/2021 at 3:37 PM, UltraMega said:

 

 

From the source: 

Steam doesn’t allow publishers to sell PC games and game keys for less money elsewhere

That in turn means rival game platforms can’t compete on price, which keeps them from getting a foothold.

That's not true.

 

Right now

Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition

Epic Game Store: $14.99

Steam: $29.99

 

Borderlands 3

Epic Game store: $19.79

Steam: $59.99

 

Red Dead Redemption 2

Epic Game store:  $40.19

Steam:  $59.99

 

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Epic Game store:  $14.99

Steam: $59.99

 

Ghostrunner

GOG: $14.99

Steam: $29.99

[UltraMega]

46 minutes ago, Diffident said:

That's not true.

 

Right now

Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Edition

Epic Game Store: $14.99

Steam: $29.99

 

Borderlands 3

Epic Game store: $19.79

Steam: $59.99

 

Red Dead Redemption 2

Epic Game store:  $40.19

Steam:  $59.99

 

Sid Meier's Civilization VI

Epic Game store:  $14.99

Steam: $59.99

 

Ghostrunner

GOG: $14.99

Steam: $29.99

There are probably some caveats for allowing sales within certain rules. Otherwise the source is just flat out wrong. 

[UltraMega]

After looking it up, Apparently this form of price fixing by valve is called the "most favored nations clause". 

 

https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/steam-valve-lawsuit#:~:text=As reported by The Hollywood Reporter%2C the suit,the game is offered for on other platforms.