Valve, the company behind the popular PC gaming platform Steam, is facing a major legal battle in the UK. A class-action lawsuit targeting Steam’s revenue system has been approved to move forward and could cost Valve up to £656 million in damages if the claim succeeds.
The case was first filed in 2024 and is being handled by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London. It focuses on Steam’s long-standing 30% cut on game sales, which the lawsuit claims has pushed prices higher for UK gamers.
Who Filed the Case and Why
The lawsuit was brought by Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of Parent Zone, on behalf of around 14 million Steam users in the UK. The claim argues that Valve’s strong market position allows it to charge high commissions, which developers then pass on to players through higher prices.
The case also challenges how Steam handles extra content. Players must buy expansions, downloadable content (DLC), and other add-ons directly through Steam. Lawyers describe this setup as a “lock-in,” meaning users have little choice but to stay inside Steam’s system instead of buying add-ons elsewhere.
If the court rules in favour of the claim, affected users could receive:
- £8 to £23 per game
- £14 to £29 per add-on
That could add up to £22 to £44 per user, depending on their purchases.
Shotbolt has been openly critical of Valve, saying the company is using its dominance to unfairly control the market and profit from UK players.
Valve Tried to Stop the Case
To support the lawsuit, Shotbolt secured more than £18.6 million in legal funding. Valve attempted to block the case by challenging these funding arrangements. However, the tribunal rejected Valve’s objections and allowed the lawsuit to continue.
At this stage, no trial date has been set, so both Valve and UK gamers are still waiting to see how the case will develop.
Not the First Legal Challenge for Steam
This is not the first time Valve’s business model has been questioned. In 2021, Wolfire Studios filed an antitrust case in the UK over the same 30% commission. Although that case was initially dismissed, it was later refiled with updated arguments.
Another studio, Dark Catt Studios, launched a similar case. In 2022, both lawsuits were combined, and in November 2024, the merged case was officially approved as a class action.
Together, these legal actions show growing concern over how large digital platforms set fees and control in-platform purchases.
Valve’s Defense
Valve has pushed back against the claims. The company argues that the lawsuit does not clearly prove consumer harm and says its commission rates are standard across the industry.
Valve points out that many major platforms use similar cuts, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and GOG. However, competitors like the Epic Games Store charge a much lower 12% fee.
Steam also uses a sliding commission system:
- 30% on the first £7.5 million in sales
- 25% on sales between £7.5 million and £37 million
- 20% on sales above £37 million
Despite the legal pressure, Steam continues to grow. Valve is often ranked as one of the most efficient companies in the world, reportedly earning around $50 million per employee.
What This Could Mean for Gamers
If the lawsuit succeeds, it could lead to:
- Lower platform fees
- More freedom in how DLC and add-ons are sold
- Stronger competition between PC game stores
For UK gamers, the case raises a key question: have platform fees quietly increased game prices over time? For the wider industry, it adds to a global debate about how much power large digital marketplaces should have.
Takeaway
The UK class-action lawsuit against Valve is one of the biggest legal challenges Steam has ever faced. With hundreds of millions of pounds on the line, the outcome could shape how PC game platforms operate in the UK and beyond.
Whether it results in refunds, lower fees, or no major change at all, the case is being closely watched by gamers, developers, and the wider tech industry.
