Valve Confronts $900 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Unfair Steam Pricing
Valve faces a significant legal challenge in the United Kingdom, with a lawsuit amounting to £656 million (approximately $900 million) set to proceed to trial. The Competition Appeal Tribunal recently rejected Valve’s efforts to dismiss the case, allowing the allegations regarding unfair Steam pricing to continue.
Lawsuit Overview
The lawsuit, filed in 2024, was initiated by digital rights advocate Vicki Shotbolt. She represents up to 14 million Steam users in the UK, claiming Valve has exploited its dominant market position in the PC gaming industry.
Allegations Against Valve
- Abuse of Market Dominance: The lawsuit accuses Valve of manipulating its position through the Steam platform.
- Restrictive Contracts: It alleges that Valve imposes contracts that limit game publishers from offering lower prices elsewhere.
- Consumer Lock-In: Users are required to purchase all downloadable content for games exclusively through Steam, further entrenching them in Valve’s ecosystem.
- High Commissions: Valve charges commissions as high as 30%, resulting in increased costs for consumers.
The collective action targets UK customers who have purchased games or downloadable content on Steam or other platforms since 2018. If the lawsuit succeeds, affected users may receive compensation.
Legal Context and Market Impact
The case builds on previous scrutiny of Valve’s business practices. A separate consumer case is underway in the United States, signaling growing scrutiny of the company’s operations.
Launched in 2003, Steam is the largest digital storefront for PC games. Industry data indicates that in 2025, the platform saw over 19,000 game releases, generating $11.7 billion in revenue. This underscores the vast market involved in the current legal complaint.
Valve’s attorneys had maintained that the lawsuit should not advance to trial, but the tribunal concluded that the claims were substantial enough. Valve has been approached for comments regarding the case.
