Valve is being sued in the UK for allegedly rigging the PC market via its Steam games distribution platform. The class action lawsuit is attempting to win £656 million for 14 million people, hoping to award them £22 to £44 per person in compensation.
As reported by Eurogamer, the suit was filed with the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal by digital rights activist Vicki Shotbolt on Wednesday June 5, 2024. A website explaining the rationale behind the suit claims Valve is “overcharging 14 million PC gamers and abusing its dominant position in the UK.”
It adds that Valve “has been unfairly shutting out competition for PC games and in-game content, which has meant that UK customers have paid too much for these products.” It claims the company has done this by forcing video game publishers to sign agreements that allow Valve to dictate “the lowest price games can be sold for on rival platforms.” It also labels the 30 per cent commission fee levied on publishers as “excessive.”
The suit further claims that these conditions set by Valve “has led to UK consumers paying too much for PC games and add-on content.” This has been happening since at least June 5, 2018, the suit alleges.
The suit “aims to hold Valve accountable for the alleged anti-competitive behaviour and, looking forward, to promote fair competition and fair pricing within the digital gaming industry.”
Anyone who is over 13 years of age as of Wednesday June 5, 2024 and paid for a PC video game or DLC or any other add-on content for a PC game in the UK between June 5, 2018 and today is eligible to join the class action lawsuit, for free. You can sign up here. After that, you don’t need to do anything, but there is no guarantee this case will be won and you will be awarded compensation.
NME has reached out to Valve for comment.