MoritzHoly Shit, #Valve did a product launch in 2025 and did not mention AI a single fucking time. So refreshing.
Ben
guenther@guenther @preya is it? I have definitely installed DRM-Free games from Steam. It's just not consistent or well-advertised. I know they offer account-verification (because I've implemented it in games I've shipped on Steam 👀) but that is entirely optional.
They are undoubtedly a monopoly, but we live in an age of such incredible corporate abuse of its customers and consumers that them showing just a little bit of grace feels like a breath of fresh air 😅
They are undoubtedly a monopoly, but we live in an age of such incredible corporate abuse of its customers and consumers that them showing just a little bit of grace feels like a breath of fresh air 😅
Zuthal
Mondanzo
Tom BortelsMonopoly implies there are no other significant players in the space, and so the monopoly's actions set the terms. Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Epic, Electronic Arts, and about 15 other franchises beg to differ.
This is the opposite of monopoly - the first recent competition to Playstation/Xbox/Switch *without* draconian hardware-based copy protection. It's a real alternative in an environment that badly needs alternatives.
They're competing on innovation and quality, not copy protection and lock-in, and I hope it sets the trend.
@tbortels @preya @guenther a world where Nintendo and Sony (lol Microsoft) are competing with Valve is a better one than we have now, but Valve can afford to be generous, permissive, because building value here makes their PC gaming monopoly even more valuable.
We absolutely do not want a "winner" in the console space the way Valve became a winner in the PC space. They've been relatively non-toxic, but the world and the industry suffers when there's consolidation like that. We dont know what we're missing because it cant exist while Valve controls 90% (or whatever it is) of PC gaming.
And I like Valve! But they should be competing their asses off, not sitting around on gobs of rent.
We absolutely do not want a "winner" in the console space the way Valve became a winner in the PC space. They've been relatively non-toxic, but the world and the industry suffers when there's consolidation like that. We dont know what we're missing because it cant exist while Valve controls 90% (or whatever it is) of PC gaming.
And I like Valve! But they should be competing their asses off, not sitting around on gobs of rent.
The new space is...
controllers? They sold one, it tanked.
Steam machines? Yeah, they tried that too.
VR goggles? Their old ones failed.
If "aggressive, competitive terms" are "curated experiences with open hardware" - sign me up.
I still don't see a monopoly. I know for a fact being on Steam isn't exclusive, simply because I have Vampire Survivors (fantastic game BTW) on both ios and Steam.
@tbortels @preya @guenther new space is console games and gamers.
I love my Steam Deck and I think I'll get a Steam Machine (depending on the price). This is a great idea, and I want them to do it.
You're right, being on Steam isn't exclusive, but as a two-sided market they now function as both a monopsony and monopoly. If you want your PC game to make money, you need to sell it on Steam. They have cornered the markets for buying and selling PC games. They are, like I've said, relatively non-toxic, but they're also complacent because they don't compete with anybody in the PC space.
Their backend tools are stale, support is non-existent, and they still charge an exorbitant 30% rent on all sales, which is ludicrous. The fact that it became industry standard in mobile doesn't make it less usurous. I was glad to see GOG and Epic join the market, and I think it's telling that despite Epic sinking an unimaginable fortune into increasing their share of the market, and GOG's laudable attempt at an "open" launcher, they have barely moved the needle.
Valve is finally serious about hardware. I have their first steam controller and their little streaming box, and I've used the Index (it's good!). They failed and Valve moved on, because they can afford to, because tens of millions of dollars drop into their bank account every day whether they work that day or not. Eventually it would run dry if they literally stopped development, but nobody is out there making them sweat, making them compete for our money as game buyers, or our products as game developers.
Not to compare them to pure evil, but Amazon, Meta, Apple and Google all used to be generous, open and competitive as well, but once they had their power consolidated, they could abuse their business customers and end users all they liked. Valve haven't really done that, but they could if they wanted to, and that's the problem.
What happens if Gabe decides to retire and sells Valve to Amazon or Microsoft? Or a consortium of private equity funds? Nobody could stop him. A newly, suddenly enshittified Valve could stipulate exclusivity in new obligitory contracts. And then could double or triple the rents.
Long way of saying that I hope that Valve does to Sony and Nintendo (lol and Microsoft) what I've been hoping anybody would do to Valve. These Steam Machines are an awesome idea and they look great.
I love my Steam Deck and I think I'll get a Steam Machine (depending on the price). This is a great idea, and I want them to do it.
You're right, being on Steam isn't exclusive, but as a two-sided market they now function as both a monopsony and monopoly. If you want your PC game to make money, you need to sell it on Steam. They have cornered the markets for buying and selling PC games. They are, like I've said, relatively non-toxic, but they're also complacent because they don't compete with anybody in the PC space.
Their backend tools are stale, support is non-existent, and they still charge an exorbitant 30% rent on all sales, which is ludicrous. The fact that it became industry standard in mobile doesn't make it less usurous. I was glad to see GOG and Epic join the market, and I think it's telling that despite Epic sinking an unimaginable fortune into increasing their share of the market, and GOG's laudable attempt at an "open" launcher, they have barely moved the needle.
Valve is finally serious about hardware. I have their first steam controller and their little streaming box, and I've used the Index (it's good!). They failed and Valve moved on, because they can afford to, because tens of millions of dollars drop into their bank account every day whether they work that day or not. Eventually it would run dry if they literally stopped development, but nobody is out there making them sweat, making them compete for our money as game buyers, or our products as game developers.
Not to compare them to pure evil, but Amazon, Meta, Apple and Google all used to be generous, open and competitive as well, but once they had their power consolidated, they could abuse their business customers and end users all they liked. Valve haven't really done that, but they could if they wanted to, and that's the problem.
What happens if Gabe decides to retire and sells Valve to Amazon or Microsoft? Or a consortium of private equity funds? Nobody could stop him. A newly, suddenly enshittified Valve could stipulate exclusivity in new obligitory contracts. And then could double or triple the rents.
Long way of saying that I hope that Valve does to Sony and Nintendo (lol and Microsoft) what I've been hoping anybody would do to Valve. These Steam Machines are an awesome idea and they look great.
So far as I can tell, of the top 10 biggest selling games of the last decade - Valve has 2, and has made less than 10% of the gross income. Maybe they make it up with the long tail and extensive library - but "monopoly" isn't what that is.
30% may or may not be high - but it's what Apple and Xbox also charge last I checked. If devs don't think that's worth it - they are not required to use any of the above. We live in a world where distribution of software is easier than ever, for the PC anyway - ios and xbox not so much. Point being, Valve is easily bypassed, if you think their percentage is high. I'm not so sure they're such a bad bargain, but I'm a consumer not a game dev.
Concerns of what Valve might do if they suddenly turn evil are reasonable, but not really actionable at the moment? I mean - I boycott Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo (having been their customers extensively), and Google and Apple are on very shaky ground. If Valve goes bad I guess I'd do the same - but I thunk I will worry about that when it happens.
Right now, Valve looks like the knight in shining armor - open hardware, customer centric, innovation. Part of that is because their competition is so heinous, to be sure. But part of it seems to honestly be a different attitude toward both customers and devs. If someone *better* comes down the pipe let me know.