UK tribunal allows £656m claim accusing Steam owner of overcharging and restrictive terms

A tribunal in London has authorized a collective legal action against Valve Corporation, opening a path for a £656 million damages claim tied to pricing and contract terms on the Steam platform. The litigation contends that Steam’s commercial arrangements with game publishers and its rules for buying add-on content effectively steer purchases into the platform and permit elevated commissions. The claim was advanced on behalf of potentially millions of UK customers who purchased games or additional content since 2018, with the lead claimant arguing the arrangements raised costs for consumers. Backing from a specialist group-action law firm has given the case procedural momentum and signalled that the claim has sufficient legal footing to proceed. Valve previously sought to block certification, but the tribunal concluded the collective suit could advance to the next stage. The complaint centers on a disputed fee level—allegedly up to 30%—and on contractual limits that plaintiffs say discourage publishers from offering earlier or cheaper sales elsewhere. If the court ultimately finds in favor of the claimants, the financial award could reach the figure sought and prompt changes in how digital storefronts price and contract work. Beyond monetary exposure, the suit invites regulatory attention on dominant platform behavior and may influence developer-negotiation power. The litigation also sits alongside a similar consumer action filed in the United States, raising the prospect of coordinated legal pressure across major markets. For Valve, the case comes amid continued platform expansion, including hardware initiatives and steady content volume, which complicates both reputational and operational risk calculations. The immediate legal outcome does not determine liability, but certification by the tribunal is a meaningful procedural victory for the claimants and a milestone that shifts the dispute from complaint to adjudication. Observers should expect detailed discovery and scrutiny of contract clauses, pricing records, and marketplace effects as the case moves forward.