Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Survey Finds Most Game Execs Call Steam a De Facto Monopoly, Plan Wider Distribution

A Rokky-commissioned poll of 306 UK and US executives points to a near-term shift toward alternative storefronts.

Overview

  • 72% of surveyed executives said Steam effectively holds a monopoly in PC game distribution.
  • Most studios reported that Steam supplies over 75% of their current PC revenue.
  • 80% expect to use alternative channels alongside Steam within five years, with 75% forecasting at least a 10% revenue uplift from marketplaces and e-stores.
  • Nearly half of respondents have distributed titles on both the Epic Games Store and the Xbox PC Games Store, while smaller shares reported using GOG (10%) and Itch.io (8%).
  • The survey skews toward larger companies and senior staff (77% from studios with over 50 employees; 75% senior managers or C-suite), and respondents flagged gray-market risks and loss of control as concerns.