Valve Corporation is facing a £656 million lawsuit in the UK, accused of unfair pricing on its global platform, Steam. Brought by digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt, the case represents up to 14 million UK users who claim Valve abuses market dominance by enforcing restrictive terms on publishers and consumers.
Allegations of Market Dominance
The lawsuit alleges Valve compels game publishers to adhere to conditions preventing earlier or cheaper releases on rival platforms, restricting customer choice. Additionally, it claims that users must purchase all additional content through Steam, leading to high commission rates of up to 30% for Valve. The collective action was initiated at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London with legal backing from Milberg London LLP.
Legal Proceedings and Global Context
Valve attempted to prevent the certification of the case, but it progresses under UK legal scrutiny. Notably, a similar consumer action was filed against Valve in the United States in August 2024. Steam, launched by Valve in 2003, has since become the largest PC game distribution platform worldwide, with over 19,000 games released in 2025, generating $11.7 billion in revenue.
The outcome of these cases could influence digital distribution policies and commission structures, impacting global sales for Steam games and affecting platforms like the Steam Deck by altering the buying and selling dynamics within the industry.
