3 ms·

Can this legal precedent also be applied to Steam?

gnorst 5y ago
Or, more interestingly, game consoles...
freewizard 5y ago
> Notably, the judge rejected both parties’ definition of the marketplace at issue in the case. “The relevant market here is digital mobile gaming transactions, not gaming generally and not Apple’s own internal operating systems related to the App Store,” Gonzalez-Rogers wrote. I guess the question is does Mobile gaming cover handheld game device like Switch? If so, it may impact Steam Deck as well.
- themaninthedark 5y ago
  Looks like the Steam Deck will let you install windows on it as well as access other game stores. https://www.polygon.com/22579033/valve-steam-deck-handheld-epic-games-store-windows-os https://www.polygon.com/22579033/valve-steam-deck-handheld-e... This has more interesting implications for Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles.
wormslayer666 5y ago
Steam doesn't prevent games from linking to alternative payment processors in-app.
- Factorium 5y ago
  It most certainly does! All payments must be within the Steam ecosystem when you are distributing a Steam app. Valve even prevents developers from linking to their own website, if said website includes ways to buy content independent of Steam payment.
  - themaninthedark 5y ago
    No it doesn't. See Rimworld. https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/ Sidebar has link to visit the website. https://rimworldgame.com/ https://rimworldgame.com/ You can buy directly with Credit Card or Paypal. Fantasy Ground is the same way: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1196310/Fantasy_Grounds_Unity/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1196310/Fantasy_Grounds_U...
  - 8K832d7tNmiQ 5y ago
    Warframe, one of the most active userbase game on Steam, literally has a dedicated page just to purchase a platinum coin in their own website [1] [1]:https://www.warframe.com/buyplatinum https://www.warframe.com/buyplatinum
  - SXX 5y ago
    Steam does have rules about it, but they are not strictly enforced. If your game have it's own backend / website then you can freely bill people there after you onboarded them via Steam. IAPs are different: here Valve actually require you to process payments through steam when game is running via Steam. But even in this case a lot of games can be launched independently after installation through Steam. Also on top of this Valve already decreased it's comission from 30% for large publishers.
madeofpalk 5y ago
It's hard to draw parallels to Steam, because this case was about iPhone + App Store, not just the App Store itself. If you don't want to pay Steam's cut, or follow their restrictions you have plenty of other options. You are not restricted in the sense you are with iPhone + App Store.

Or, more interestingly, game consoles...

> Notably, the judge rejected both parties’ definition of the marketplace at issue in the case. “The relevant market here is digital mobile gaming transactions, not gaming generally and not Apple’s own internal operating systems related to the App Store,” Gonzalez-Rogers wrote. I guess the question is does Mobile gaming cover handheld game device like Switch? If so, it may impact Steam Deck as well.

themaninthedark 5y ago
Looks like the Steam Deck will let you install windows on it as well as access other game stores. https://www.polygon.com/22579033/valve-steam-deck-handheld-epic-games-store-windows-os https://www.polygon.com/22579033/valve-steam-deck-handheld-e... This has more interesting implications for Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles.

wormslayer666 5y ago

Steam doesn't prevent games from linking to alternative payment processors in-app.

Factorium 5y ago
It most certainly does! All payments must be within the Steam ecosystem when you are distributing a Steam app. Valve even prevents developers from linking to their own website, if said website includes ways to buy content independent of Steam payment.
- themaninthedark 5y ago
  No it doesn't. See Rimworld. https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/294100/RimWorld/ Sidebar has link to visit the website. https://rimworldgame.com/ https://rimworldgame.com/ You can buy directly with Credit Card or Paypal. Fantasy Ground is the same way: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1196310/Fantasy_Grounds_Unity/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/1196310/Fantasy_Grounds_U...
- 8K832d7tNmiQ 5y ago
  Warframe, one of the most active userbase game on Steam, literally has a dedicated page just to purchase a platinum coin in their own website [1] [1]:https://www.warframe.com/buyplatinum https://www.warframe.com/buyplatinum
- SXX 5y ago
  Steam does have rules about it, but they are not strictly enforced. If your game have it's own backend / website then you can freely bill people there after you onboarded them via Steam. IAPs are different: here Valve actually require you to process payments through steam when game is running via Steam. But even in this case a lot of games can be launched independently after installation through Steam. Also on top of this Valve already decreased it's comission from 30% for large publishers.

madeofpalk 5y ago

It's hard to draw parallels to Steam, because this case was about iPhone + App Store, not just the App Store itself. If you don't want to pay Steam's cut, or follow their restrictions you have plenty of other options. You are not restricted in the sense you are with iPhone + App Store.