🎮 Steam
Quick Summary
Steam is Valve’s digital distribution platform for PC games — the dominant marketplace controlling an estimated 75% of all PC game digital sales. Launched in 2003, it fundamentally ended the physical disc era for PC gaming.
Key Facts
| Owner | Valve Corporation |
| Launched | 2003 |
| Library | 50,000+ games |
| Active Users | 132M+ accounts; 33M+ peak concurrent |
| Revenue Share | Developer: 70% (up to 10M-50M) |
Why Steam Won
- Critical mass: Being first to digital distribution created a self-reinforcing network effect — more players → more developers → more players.
- Steam Workshop: Built-in modding support with one-click subscription.
- Greenlight → Steam Direct: Evolved from community voting to direct paid submission ($100 fee).
- Early Access: Pioneered Early Access as a legitimate release model.
- Community features: Reviews, forums, trading cards, achievements — a complete social layer.
The “Steam Tax” Criticism
Steam’s 30% cut (reduced for high-grossing titles) is frequently criticized as the “Steam Tax” — a significant cost for developers. This criticism gave rise to competing platforms like Epic Games Store offering 88% to developers.