Steam still dominates the PC gaming ecosystem. A recent report from independent research firm Atomik Research, published by distribution platform Rokky, found that 72% of developers described Steam as a “monopoly.” That label carries a heavy negative charge — one Baldur’s Gate 3 publishing lead, Michael Douse, pushed back on that characterization.
Posting on Twitter, Douse replied bluntly to the Atomik Research claim, arguing Steam provides a useful service and is not driven by public shareholder KPIs. (KPIs — Key Performance Indicators — are corporate metrics that can force teams to chase targets set by shareholders, sometimes at the expense of other priorities.)
A recent Bloomberg report offers a contrasting example of KPI-driven pressure: it revealed Microsoft has been targeting roughly 30% profit margins for Xbox since 2023. That push has coincided with rounds of layoffs, cancelled projects, and increases in the cost of Game Pass.
Douse’s point is that Steam functions primarily as a distribution channel — and a very effective one. Even as the store fills up with lower-quality AI-generated entries, Steam remains one of the easiest places for players to find new titles.
Not everyone accepts the Atomik Research framing. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella, now at Circana, dismissed the survey’s conclusion on Bluesky, saying, “In other words, 72% don’t know what a monopoly is.” Rokky CEO Vadim Adreev offered a more measured take, acknowledging Steam’s importance but noting it isn’t the sole channel worldwide — in many regions local storefronts and platforms still hold sway.
As Steam Next Fest concludes, Valve has released its list of most-played demos from the event — a lineup that ranges from chaotic co-op comedies to punishing, Braveheart-style roguelikes.
