Valve faces lawsuit over Steam monopoly claims

Valve, the company behind the Steam gaming platform, is confronting a lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices. The legal action questions Steam's dominant position in the PC gaming market. An article from TechRadar expresses puzzlement over the claims, highlighting Steam's reputation as a consumer-friendly service.

Valve Corporation is the subject of a new lawsuit centered on accusations of maintaining a monopoly through its Steam platform. The case challenges the company's control over PC gaming distribution and sales. According to a TechRadar report, the author finds the monopoly allegations surprising, noting that Steam has long been regarded as the most consumer-friendly gamer platform available.

The lawsuit emerges amid ongoing scrutiny of big tech firms and their market dominance in digital spaces. While details of the legal filing remain limited in public reports, it underscores tensions between regulators and gaming industry giants. The TechRadar piece, published on January 28, 2026, reflects a sense of bewilderment, with the writer questioning the validity of the monopoly claims given Steam's user-centric features like easy access to games and community tools.

This development could influence how digital storefronts operate, potentially affecting developers and players alike. However, without further court proceedings, the outcome remains uncertain. Steam's widespread adoption has made it a cornerstone of PC gaming, but critics argue it stifles competition.

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Illustration of Valve's Steam Machine console on a desk, showing a monitor with a game error due to Linux anti-cheat incompatibility.
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Valve's Steam Machine limited by Linux anti-cheat compatibility

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Valve has announced the Steam Machine, a compact console-like PC running Linux-based SteamOS, set for launch in early 2026. While it targets 4K gaming at 60FPS and supports many titles, it cannot run popular multiplayer games requiring unsupported kernel-level anti-cheat systems. Developers may need to expand Linux support for broader compatibility.

The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that a £656m lawsuit against Valve can move forward, potentially leading to compensation for 14 million Steam users. The case, filed by digital rights activist Vicki Shotbolt in June 2024, accuses Valve of anti-competitive practices that inflate PC game prices. Valve's bid to dismiss the claim was rejected on 26 January 2026.

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Building on recent performance updates like the December 2025 SteamOS release for handhelds, Valve continues advancing SteamOS as a viable Linux-based alternative to Windows in PC gaming. Innovations such as Proton and the Steam Deck decouple gaming from Windows dependency, eroding Microsoft's dominance amid its AI focus.

An article argues that SteamOS has demonstrated the viability of Linux desktops that diverge from the traditional Windows interface. The piece highlights how such systems can activate a desktop mode only when necessary. Published on January 24, 2026, it challenges conventional design assumptions in open-source operating systems.

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Steam's October 2025 hardware survey shows Linux reaching 3.05% market share among users, a first-time milestone driven by the Steam Deck. Windows share fell to 94.84%, while macOS rose slightly to 2.11%. The growth highlights increasing adoption of Linux-based systems in PC gaming.

Valve's upcoming Steam Machine gaming device has appeared on third-party retailer websites, revealing potential pricing details. The leaked listings suggest costs of around $950 for a 512GB model and $1,070 for a 2TB version, though these are pre-tax estimates in Czech koruna.

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Michał Kiciński, co-founder of GOG, has acquired the DRM-free PC gaming store from CD Projekt Red and pledged to maintain its core anti-DRM policy. In a recent interview, he outlined plans to grow the platform by targeting niche markets despite competition from Steam. This move ensures continuity for GOG's 18-year commitment to unrestricted game access.

 

 

 

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