Valve is "Clearly Not" Cooperating Fairly, Says CEO Leading £656M Lawsuit Against Steam's 30% Cut of Game Sales

February 21, 2026 - 15:29

The executive spearheading a massive £656 million collective claim against Valve Corporation has publicly accused the gaming giant of a lack of fair cooperation. Vicki Shotbolt, the CEO leading the class-action lawsuit, stated that Valve is "clearly not" engaging transparently as the legal battle progresses.

The suit, filed on behalf of UK PC gamers, alleges that Valve enforces dominance in the PC gaming market through its Steam platform. The core contention is the company's standard 30% commission on game sales, which claimants argue is an excessive fee that stifles competition and ultimately inflates prices for consumers. The legal action asserts this practice constitutes an abuse of market power.

Shotbolt's comments highlight growing tensions as the case moves through the Competition Appeal Tribunal. She emphasized the claimants' commitment to challenging what they describe as Valve's anti-competitive practices, suggesting the company is not providing a level playing field in the disclosure process. The lawsuit seeks damages for an estimated 14 million people in the UK who have made purchases on Steam since 2018, arguing they have been overcharged for years. Valve has previously defended its commission rate, citing the value of the services provided to both developers and players on its extensive platform.