UK Steam Users Could Win Compensation in £656 Million Valve Lawsuit
A landmark £656 million lawsuit against Valve, the company behind the Steam gaming platform, has been given the green light to proceed by the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London. This development could potentially lead to compensation for millions of Steam players across the United Kingdom who may have been overcharged for PC games and downloadable content.
Background of the Legal Action
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2024 by digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt, who accused Valve of abusing its dominant market position in the PC gaming sector. Shotbolt alleges that the company imposed restrictive price parity clauses on game developers and publishers, effectively preventing them from offering their titles at lower prices on competing platforms.
This practice, according to the claim, allowed Steam to maintain what is described as an excessive commission of up to 30% on PC games and additional content. Valve had previously argued against the case proceeding to trial, but the Competition Appeal Tribunal has now ruled in favour of allowing the lawsuit to move forward, although no specific trial date has been set yet.
Who Might Be Eligible for Compensation?
According to information available on the lawsuit's official website, Steam users in the UK who purchased PC games or add-on content anytime after June 5, 2018, could potentially be eligible for compensation if the legal action proves successful. The estimated compensation range for affected users falls between £22 and £44 per person, with the notable mention that players in Scotland might be entitled to higher amounts.
Vicki Shotbolt believes that approximately 14 million Steam users in the UK have been affected by the alleged overcharging practices. The lawsuit seeks to secure compensation for these players, representing one of the largest collective action cases in the UK gaming industry's history.
Legal Context and Precedents
The claim against Valve is being supported by the legal firm Milberg London LLP, which has previous experience with similar cases in the gaming sector. Notably, the firm filed a comparable claim against Sony in 2022 regarding alleged excessive charges through the PlayStation Store, with that case scheduled to go to trial in March 2026.
This legal action against Valve represents a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of digital marketplace practices within the gaming industry. The Competition Appeal Tribunal's decision to allow the case to proceed suggests that the allegations merit proper judicial examination, potentially setting important precedents for how digital platforms operate in competitive markets.
What Happens Next?
While the lawsuit has cleared this important procedural hurdle, it is important to note that the legal process is likely to extend over several years before reaching any definitive conclusion. No trial date has been established yet, and both parties will need to prepare their cases thoroughly before proceeding to court.
In the meantime, Valve continues with its business operations, including plans to launch a new gaming system called the Steam Machine later this year, though specific release details remain unconfirmed. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications not only for Valve and Steam users but potentially for the broader digital gaming marketplace in the UK and beyond.
