Gabe Newell on Steam monopoly accusations: Gamers have ’enormous choice’ about where to buy games
Valve Chief Executive Gabe Newell has defended Steam against monopoly accusations, testifying in 2023 that customers have “enormous choice” when deciding where to purchase games. The testimony came as part of a long-running antitrust lawsuit filed by independent game developer Wolfire Games in 2021, with Newell providing in-person testimony in court.
During his testimony, Newell argued that Steam does not hold a monopoly on PC gaming or occupy an overly dominant market position. He pointed to the availability of alternative gaming platforms and digital storefronts as evidence of robust consumer choice, including Xbox, Epic Games Store, and other services where players can purchase and play games.
Newell also addressed specific allegations about Steam’s pricing practices. He denied the existence of an “unwritten rule” that allegedly prevents developers from charging lower prices on other storefronts—a practice that competitors have criticized as anticompetitive behavior designed to lock players into Steam’s ecosystem.
The Wolfire Games lawsuit represents one of the most significant legal challenges to Valve’s dominant position in PC gaming distribution. The case continues to draw attention to broader questions about platform power in the gaming industry, particularly regarding the terms developers must accept to distribute games through major storefronts and whether Valve’s market share constitutes anticompetitive behavior.