The majority of game developers surveyed believe Steam has a monopoly on PC game distribution, but is it truly a monopoly? A recent whitepaper by Rokky, a PC game distribution platform, reveals intriguing insights. The survey, conducted by Atomik Research, involved 306 game studio executives, with 67% from the US and 33% from the UK. A staggering 72% of respondents believe Steam holds a monopoly in PC game distribution. However, as Circana's Mat Piscatella and Rokky argue in their paper, 'The State of PC Game Distribution', this is a complex issue. While Steam is dominant, it's not an absolute monopoly. Platforms like GOG, itch.io, and the Epic Games Store offer alternatives, but Steam's dominance is undeniable. The report highlights that 48% of surveyed developers have distributed games on the Epic Games Store and Xbox PC store, while only 10% have used GOG and 8% have used itch.io. E-stores and marketplaces like Humble and Fanatical also play a role, but some developers view them as part of the gray market, fearing revenue loss and control issues. This perception could be a missed opportunity. Rokky emphasizes that e-stores and marketplaces can be solutions to the Steam dependency, but challenges like discoverability, free-to-play game oversaturation, and subscription services persist. Developers must navigate these complexities to maintain control over distribution, pricing, and game value while avoiding the gray market pitfalls. The key is to develop a strategic approach to alternative distribution, ensuring new audiences and increased revenues.
