Valve: Difference between revisions
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| | {{CompanyCargo | ||
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike. | |||
|Founded=1996 | |||
| Founded = 1996 | |Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware | ||
| Industry = | |Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg | ||
| | |ParentCompany= | ||
|Type=Private | |||
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/ | |||
}}[[wikipedia:Valve_Corporation|'''Valve Corporation''']] (also known as Valve Software) is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington. | }}[[wikipedia:Valve_Corporation|'''Valve Corporation''']] (also known as Valve Software) is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington. | ||
== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable): | |||
* User freedom | |||
* User privacy | |||
* Business model | |||
* Market control}} | |||
==Incidents== | |||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | |||
===Steam users do not own their games (2024)=== | ===Steam users do not own their games (2024)=== | ||
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: | In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> | The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> | ||
This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: | This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref><!--There is an article on CyberPost about this but I was unsure if it was an AI article or not. https://cyberpost.co/can-you-run-steam-games-without-steam/--> | ||
Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref><!--There is an article on CyberPost about this but I was unsure if it was an AI article or not. https://cyberpost.co/can-you-run-steam-games-without-steam/--> | |||
===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)=== | ===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)=== | ||
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</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" /> | </ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
==Legal disputes== | ==Legal disputes== | ||
Steam's predominance has led to Valve becoming involved in various legal cases.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)#Legal_disputes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228142840/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)#Legal_disputes |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> | Steam's predominance has led to Valve becoming involved in various legal cases.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam (service) |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)#Legal_disputes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228142840/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(service)#Legal_disputes |archive-date=28 Dec 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref> | ||
<!-- While we will be referencing Wikipedia often here to get documentation, please for future articles that will branch from here, try to include more diverse references! | <!-- While we will be referencing Wikipedia often here to get documentation, please for future articles that will branch from here, try to include more diverse references! | ||
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|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp</ref> | |''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref> | ||
|2016 | |2016 | ||
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.<!-- Some further reading on this case should be done here --> | |MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.<!-- Some further reading on this case should be done here --> | ||
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|<!-- A related article would be ideal here since multiple cases have covered this dispute's topic. --> | |<!-- A related article would be ideal here since multiple cases have covered this dispute's topic. --> | ||
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|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7</ref> | |''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref> | ||
|2021–2022 | |2021–2022 | ||
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games. | |The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games. | ||
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|<!-- Highly recommend an anti-competitive behavior article here --> | |<!-- Highly recommend an anti-competitive behavior article here --> | ||
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|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ | | |''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref><!-- I am actually one of the users in this court case arbitrating against Valve, so I can help out here with updates on the case should there be the need for a dedicated article of this specific case - James --> | ||
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished<!-- Kind reminder that I do not remember when my case was moved over from Zaiger to Bucher, otherwise I would have listed the exact year. | |C.A. 2021 - Unfinished<!-- Kind reminder that I do not remember when my case was moved over from Zaiger to Bucher, otherwise I would have listed the exact year. | ||