Valve founder Gabe Newell will testify in person in court as part of the lawsuit alleging Steam’s monopolistic practices.
founder of Valve Gabe Newellwill have to testify in person in court as part of a lawsuit filed by Wolfire Games against Valve, alleging Steam’s monopolistic position in the PC industry. The lawsuit, filed in April 2021, claims that the 30% share of every sale made through Steam is used by Valve to pressure its competitors. Wolfire Games emphasizes that this practice of Valve endangers the financial situation of independent developers and the impact of the Steam operating system on the industry.
Valve Founder Gabe Newell to Testify in Person in Steam Anti-Trust Case
On November 16, Wolfire Games filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington stating that Gabe Newell must testify about the company’s business strategies, GamesIndustry.biz reported. Newell requested a remote deposition due to the possibility of contracting COVID-19, but the court denied the request as insufficient.
COVID-19 protocols will need to be followed during court, all participants will be required to wear masks. While the outcome of this lawsuit against Steam is uncertain, the outcome of the case is a matter of curiosity, considering the lawsuits filed in the past due to similar unfair commercial practices.
The case comes after the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal allowed a hearing in a case challenging Sony’s digital monopoly, indicating that monopolistic practices on digital platforms are a growing concern.