I think a lot of PC players are waiting on the steam release.

And people will insist they’re not a monopoly.

The word doesn’t mean “zero competition exists.” It means the competition does not matter.

"I prefer a quality storefront that at least presents the pretense of caring about providing a quality product to one that just wants to separate me from my money"

"What are you, some kind of fanboy?"

Defending the reasons they’re a monopoly.

They’re still a monopoly.

They're not, actually. Just because you only see Epic (which still has market share despite every effort they've made to drive people away) doesn't mean there aren't other storefronts.

They're definitely part of an oligopoly, though.

Those other storefronts matter even less.

Again: competition existing isn’t enough. It has to matter. Otherwise you’re describing a monopoly. It is a market dominated by one business.

In your mind, of course. Seems you have a monopoly on opinion.

This is abuse. This is making up rationale, to ignore the actual fucking argument.

Standard Oil, the clearest trust-busting case in history, only had 85% market share at its peak. Me telling you to count to one is not somehow climbing atop my high horse and repeating a conclusion. I am making an argument - it is not complicated - the basis and reasoning are right there for you to respond to, or not.

Okay so what is the store you are advocating people spend money on?

Wrong.

Wrong? You have no call to action beyond saying steam is a monopoly? That’s the extent of your message?

Correct, acknowledging a fact doesn’t require a to-do list. There’s not magically The Good Store when you admit: this store has a monopoly. But for some god damn reason everyone seems to think shitting on Epic or talking up GOG will change that Valve has an overwhelming market position!

I am ONLY talking about Steam’s market position. Nothing else is required. If you think there must be a yeah-but: the answer is no.

What is so complicated about acknowledging this company dominates its market, in a subthread that begins by noting how crucial it its sales will be. for a fuckoff-massive game from a celebrated studio? The central topic is ‘game’s not making the numbers they want’ and the root comment is ‘lotta people waiting on a Steam version’ and my reply is ‘yeah it’s almost like Steam’s the one store that actually fucking matters’ and this blindingly obvious fact makes people lose their god-damn minds.

What store do you want people to buy from?