Organized Money How Gamer Lawyers Took On A Gaming Monopoly
Sep 16, 2025
Will Buer, a consumer protection attorney from Booker Law, joins forces with fellow gamer-lawyer Judson Crump to take on Valve, the giant behind Steam. They share their inspiring journey of challenging monopolistic practices in the gaming industry, highlighting the importance of individual claims and creative arbitration strategies. Their efforts expose corporate advantages that often silence consumer rights, making a compelling case for the power of advocacy in the face of corporate dominance while shedding light on broader implications in market competition.
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Steam Is The PC Gaming Gatekeeper
- Steam functions as the dominant PC game storefront, used by tens of millions and responsible for the majority of PC game sales.
- Valve captures a 30% commission that shapes pricing and distribution across the PC gaming market.
The 30% Commission Problem
- Valve charges a 30% commission on Steam purchases, mirroring mobile app stores.
- That fee raises consumer prices and transfers substantial revenue to the platform.
Rules That Stop Competitors
- Valve enforces rules that block rivals from competing on price or advertising within games.
- These policies systematically foreclose typical competitive strategies and strengthen Steam's dominance.