A recent survey has revealed a concerning trend in the gaming industry. A staggering majority of game developers believe that Steam holds a monopoly over PC game distribution. But is this belief justified? Let's delve into the findings and explore the complexities of this issue.
The survey, conducted by Atomik Research and published by Rokky, a PC game distribution platform, sheds light on the perceptions of 306 game studio executives, with a majority from the US and the rest from the UK. An eye-opening 72% of respondents firmly believe that Steam dominates the PC game distribution landscape.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Steam's market dominance is undeniable, is it truly a monopoly? Mat Piscatella, a senior executive at Circana, and Rokky's paper titled "The State of PC Game Distribution" offer an intriguing perspective. They argue that while platforms like GOG, itch.io, and the Epic Games Store provide alternatives, Steam's position is indeed that of an effective monopoly.
Rokky's report highlights an interesting distribution pattern. While 48% of surveyed developers have distributed games on the Epic Games Store and Xbox PC store, only a small fraction (10% and 8%, respectively) have utilized GOG and itch.io. This raises questions about the perceived viability of these alternative platforms.
And this is the part most people miss... There are other avenues for game distribution, such as e-stores and marketplaces like Humble and Fanatical. However, not all developers view these options positively. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed consider these marketplaces as part of the gray market, fearing a loss of control and revenue.
Rokky challenges this perception, suggesting that e-stores and marketplaces could be a solution to the very reliance on Steam that developers dislike. Lack of clarity around the gray market and its potential risks may be hindering developers from exploring these alternative avenues.
"Many developers avoid e-stores and marketplaces due to misconceptions, missing out on revenue opportunities. The fear of keys falling into gray market sellers' hands and subsequent regional pricing manipulation is unfounded."
So, is the answer to turn away from Steam and embrace other stores more actively? For some developers, it might be a viable strategy, but challenges like discoverability, oversaturation of free-to-play games, and subscription services persist. Any developer venturing into alternative distribution must maintain control over pricing and game value while avoiding gray market pitfalls.
"The path to success in alternative distribution is challenging, but with a well-planned strategy, developers can unlock new audiences and increased revenues."
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Steam's dominance is a concern, or is it an inevitable consequence of the market dynamics? Share your insights in the comments below!
