Ugh, so true. The insidious nature of Steam is the fact that they're basically a PC gaming business monopoly, but they're benign compared to other corporations, so gamers tend to turn a blind eye to that fact, or find various grasping ways to convince themselves otherwise (there's still Epic and GOG! etc). The fact that 80%+ of PC game sales are through Steam doesn't seem to faze or disturb them, when it most definitely should. What happens when Steam drops the facade? I imagine it won't be long before Steam turns into the badguy.

[–] Frozengyro@lemmy.world 19 points 4 days ago (1 children)

There is a big difference when it's a choice to use them. You aren't forced or obligated, but people choose to. And they choose them for a reason, they do pretty good these days. People used to hate steam cause it was kinda shit when they first came out. I'm not saying there isn't room for improvement, pretty much everything does. But it could be worse.

I do fully agree, when Gaben steps down/passes I fully expect it to turn to typical gaming company fuckery.

[–] PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

That’s why we gotta keep Gaben alive for at least the next 20 years. He has lost weight at least.

[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

I imagine it won't be long before Steam turns into the badguy.

People have been predicting Steam will do a heel turn for more than a decade. But, their consumer-friendly policies and ease of use have kept them the dominant platform despite immense spending from other companies.

They're still a store, and I don't think anybody's confusing them with a charity. But, a nearly 20 year track record suggests that they know that being trustworthy and consumer-friendly is essential to their long-term financial success.

[–] fatur0000new@lemmy.ml 4 points 4 days ago

The insidious nature of Steam is the fact that they're basically a PC gaming business monopoly,

Steam is a market leader, not a monopoly. Steam looks like a monopoly because it is the natural effect of being a market leader.

The fact that 80%+ of PC game sales are through Steam doesn't seem to faze or disturb them, when it most definitely should

Reasonable disturbance but I personally will only categorize this as a concern.