this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2024
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Steam

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Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve.

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Issue tracker for Linux version of Steam

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[–] Laser@feddit.org 15 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I love steam, but let's get real here for a second. Valve will change some day. Enshitification is inevitable.

Steam is an example where I'm not sure when it would happen.

It already comes with a hefty fee of 30% per sale on the platform. I don't think they can raise that without serious backlash. And there also isn't really a need, Steam prints money. It prints money because it's where users are. Users are there because they like the features. Some good features are only there because of laws (e.g. refunding); Valve can't remove these.

So how would you make the service even more profitable?

Enshittification happens because corporations want (more) money out of a service that built a userbase. These were often running at a loss. To turn a profit, they need to change.

Steam can sell you licenses to games you don't own already. It's up to each publisher. Valve doesn't care, they just deliver.