Tim Sweeney Calls Valve’s Steam Policy ‘Unlawful’ Amid UK Anti-Trust Suit

YEREVAN (Azat TV) – Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has publicly labeled Valve’s Steam policy regarding in-game microtransactions as “unlawful,” intensifying the ongoing debate around digital storefront market power. Sweeney’s strong remarks, made on social media, coincide with a significant £656 million (approximately $900 million) anti-trust lawsuit against Valve that has recently been cleared to proceed in the United Kingdom, focusing on broader allegations of market dominance.

Sweeney, a vocal critic of platform monopolies and a direct competitor to Steam through the Epic Games Store, specifically targeted Valve’s requirement for developers to use the Steam microtransaction API for all in-game purchases. This mandates that players can only buy add-on content within games using their Steam Wallet, with Valve collecting a 30% commission on these transactions, a practice Sweeney argues mirrors those previously found illegal for tech giants Apple and Google.

Tim Sweeney’s Stance on Steam Payments

On Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2026, Tim Sweeney took to social media to articulate his objections. He asserted that Steam’s rules explicitly prohibit games from directing players to alternative purchasing methods, thereby forcing a 30% cut for Valve. “This is the practice courts found illegal for Apple and Google,” Sweeney stated, emphasizing that these companies no longer enforce such restrictions. He further added, “Today, in the USA, developers are free to steer users of iOS and Android apps to competing purchase methods. Apple and Google collect 0% on those transactions.”

Sweeney contends that Valve is now the sole major digital storefront on computers and smartphones that maintains this “payments tie and 30% junk fee.” He drew a pointed analogy, comparing the situation to a car dealership demanding a cut from every fuel purchase made after buying a car, as reported by Players.com.ua.

While some critics have pointed to games like Grand Theft Auto Online or Final Fantasy XIV, which offer external payment systems, Sweeney clarified that his concern lies with “in-game” purchases. He noted that the external shops these titles use are not directly linked or accessible from within the game client itself, thus not violating the specific anti-steering policy he is challenging.

The UK Anti-Trust Lawsuit Against Valve

Sweeney’s comments provide a significant voice of support for the substantial anti-trust lawsuit unfolding in the UK. This lawsuit, valued at £656 million, alleges that Valve abuses its dominant position in the PC gaming market. The core complaint focuses on Valve’s alleged use of “Most-Favored Nation” price-parity clauses, which purportedly prevent game developers from selling their titles for less on other platforms than they do on Steam. This practice, the lawsuit claims, enables Valve to charge an “excessive” 30% commission fee on every game sale, ultimately driving up prices for consumers, according to Windows Central.

While Sweeney’s specific criticism regarding in-game microtransactions is not explicitly detailed in the UK lawsuit, it aligns with the broader anti-competitive concerns being raised. The lawsuit’s progression has brought Valve’s business practices under intense scrutiny, sparking wider debates within the gaming community about fair market competition and platform fees.

Epic Games’ Precedent with Apple and Google

Sweeney’s strong position is rooted in Epic Games’ own high-profile legal battles against Apple and Google. In those disputes, Epic successfully challenged policies that restricted developers from linking to external payment methods within their apps, compelling them to use the iOS App Store and Google Play Store’s proprietary systems and pay a 30% revenue share. Courts ultimately ordered both companies to modify these policies, allowing developers greater freedom in payment processing. Epic Games has demonstrated a willingness to invest significant resources in pursuing these principles against major tech companies, as noted by PC Gamer.

The outcome of those past legal disputes serves as a powerful precedent for Sweeney, who believes Valve should face similar requirements to change its policies. He sees Valve’s current stance as an outlier in an evolving digital marketplace where other major platforms have been compelled to offer more developer choice and transparency in payment methods.

Market Dominance and Developer Choice

Valve’s Steam platform holds a commanding position in the PC gaming market, boasting significantly larger user counts and revenue totals compared to rival storefronts. This dominance is central to the anti-trust allegations, as critics argue it allows Valve to impose restrictive terms on developers without fear of significant competition. The debate underscores a fundamental tension between platform control and developer autonomy, as well as the ultimate impact on consumer pricing and choice.

The confluence of a major anti-trust lawsuit and a high-profile industry figure like Tim Sweeney drawing parallels to past legal victories indicates a significant moment for accountability in the digital distribution landscape. This pressure could compel Valve to re-evaluate its payment policies, potentially reshaping economic models for game developers and influencing consumer costs in the lucrative PC gaming market.