Add-Ons, Lock-In, and Commission Fees
The lawsuit also accuses Valve of tightening its grip on players by requiring add-ons and extra content to be purchased through Steam’s own interface, even after a game is bought. According to the filing, this practice further anchors consumers to the platform.
In addition, Valve is accused of charging commissions as high as 30%, fees the claim describes as excessive and unfair — costs that allegedly ripple outward and land squarely on consumers’ wallets.
Valve Pushes Back — For Now
Valve has attempted to block the case from advancing, disputing the allegations. However, the tribunal has ruled that the claims warrant further examination, allowing the legal battle to continue.
A Familiar Pattern of Accusations
This is not Valve’s first brush with antitrust scrutiny. In 2021, developers Wolfire Games and Dark Catt Studios filed a lawsuit accusing the company of similar anti-competitive conduct. That case gained class-action status in 2024, extending its reach to any developer who sold games on Steam since 2017.
Together, these cases paint a picture of mounting pressure on one of gaming’s most influential gatekeepers — and raise a question that regulators worldwide continue to ask: when does dominance cross the line into monopoly?
