Dutch gamers file €220 million claim against Valve, operator of game platform Steam

Key Points:

• A Dutch class action, initiated by Stichting Consumenten Competition Claims (CCC) under the name GameClaim, targets Valve Corporation for alleged monopolistic practices on its Steam platform, affecting Dutch PC gamers since 2013.
• The complaint centers on Valve's dominant market share of around 85% and the use of Most-Favoured Nation clauses, which prevent developers from offering lower prices on rival platforms, allegedly keeping game prices artificially high.
• The foundation criticizes Valve's 30% commission on game sales and in-game purchases via the Steam Wallet, claiming these fees and restrictions on directing players to cheaper alternatives reflect monopolistic behavior and cause over €220 million in damages to Dutch consumers.
• Valve denies monopoly allegations, arguing it does not set prices for external sellers and faces competition from other platforms and consoles, emphasizing its market position stems from platform quality and user experience.
• The Dutch case follows similar international legal actions, including a large-scale UK class action and a US antitrust lawsuit by indie developers, with the foundation aiming first for settlement talks before pursuing a potentially lengthy court battle.