The Netherlands' Consumer Competition Claims Foundation (CCCF) announced plans to take legal action against Valve, accusing the company of artificially inflating PC game prices worldwide through its Steam platform. [1, 2]
CCCF alleges Valve’s 30% commission on Steam sales forces publishers to raise game prices to offset costs. Publishers then must keep those elevated prices across other platforms, such as the Epic Games Store, which charges a lower 12% commission. The non-profit claims this pricing policy amounts to coordinated price inflation harming consumers. [1, 2]
Valve’s commission rates on Steam are on a sliding scale: 30% initially, dropping to 25% after $10 million in revenue and 20% after $50 million. [1, 2] CCCF says the effect is publishers increasing game prices across the board to cover these fees, even on platforms with cheaper rates, effectively restricting discounts elsewhere.
Valve president Gabe Newell denies the company enforces any policy restricting publishers from selling games cheaper on other stores. He said, "Valve does not have a policy or practice of dictating prices to third-party software developers on other platforms." However, evidence surfaced in a 2023 antitrust court case that Valve employees enforced such rules, contradicting Newell’s statement. [1, 2]
CCCF also accuses Valve of illegal geo-blocking by region-locking Steam keys, preventing, for example, keys bought in Eastern Europe from activating in Western Europe. The EU Commission previously fined Valve over this practice. [2]
The non-profit further highlights Valve’s requirement that all in-game purchases, such as skins and loot boxes, use Steam Wallet. This charges an additional roughly 30% processing fee. CCCF argues this increases costs compared to third-party payment providers. [2]
Economists hired by CCCF estimate Dutch players have overpaid more than 220 million euros total, with average individual overpayments exceeding 130 euros. The amount is higher for heavy gamers. [2]
CCCF invited Valve for out-of-court talks but expects the case will proceed to trial. A court ruling could take years. Dutch players who register for claims might receive financial compensation if successful. [2]
Valve faces other legal challenges including an antitrust lawsuit from Wolfire Games, a class action lawsuit over loot boxes, and a New York state case alleging Valve enabled illegal gambling through loot boxes. [2]
The legal battle in the Netherlands marks the latest challenge to Valve’s dominant position in the digital PC game market.
The CCCF expects to file its formal lawsuit against Valve soon, with the case timeline and court proceedings to follow.
