Valve’s $900 Million Class Action Lawsuit Over Pricing Moves Forward

Valve’s bid to have a legal case against it dismissed has hit a wall, as a judge has ruled that the lawsuit can proceed. This case, initiated by lawyer Vicki Shotbolt, represents 14 million Steam users in the UK and centers on allegations of overcharging and anti-competitive practices.

Originally filed in 2024, Shotbolt’s claim aims to demonstrate that Valve’s Steam policies breach UK laws regarding “anti-competitive prices” and “unfair trading conditions that hinder competition.” The crux of the argument is Valve’s stipulation that games sold on Steam cannot be offered at lower prices on competing platforms. Additionally, once a game is purchased on Steam, any further content—like DLC, expansion packs, or cosmetics—must also be bought through Steam. Shotbolt contends that this practice allows Valve to maintain a “dominant position in the PC gaming market” and potentially violates UK competition law.

In the UK, class action lawsuits are relatively rare and are referred to as “collective action claims,” operating on an “opt-out” basis. This means that Shotbolt and her firm are suing Valve on behalf of British Steam users unless individuals explicitly choose to opt out, which is how they can claim to represent 14 million users.

Valve has pushed back against these claims and sought to have the case dismissed. However, a ruling from the Competition Appeal Tribunal on January 26 stated that Valve’s objections were based on the assertion that Shotbolt’s group had not provided a sufficient methodology for their claims and that the class definition was inadequate. The tribunal noted that Valve’s arguments seemed to hinge on technicalities, particularly regarding younger users on Steam who couldn’t opt in or out of the action.

Shotbolt’s team has since revised their class definition, addressing Valve’s concerns. The tribunal acknowledged these changes, indicating that the revised definition would only include users over the age of 13. As a result, the tribunal allowed the case to move forward, much to Valve’s chagrin.

For those who wish to opt out of this collective action, the option will soon be available, as the site is awaiting certification to provide that choice. Given that a vast majority of Steam users may remain unaware of this lawsuit, the situation has a somewhat absurd quality.

If Shotbolt’s group prevails, it could mean financial compensation for UK users, although the amounts may be relatively small for individuals but significant for Valve. The claim seeks £656 million, which is approximately $904 million. With the fluctuating value of the dollar, Valve will likely be eager for a swift resolution to avoid further financial implications.