Asked about this rule, Newell repeatedly denied it exists, even when shown internal communications seemingly showing Valve employees enforcing it: “Valve does not have a policy or practice of dictating prices to third-party software developers on other platforms.”
either he’s lying or out of the loop, because a lot of publishers reported that rule does exist.
To me it sounds like he’s concerned about choosing his words very carefully to avoid admitting any illegal practices. I wish I could read the actual transcript of the deposition. In a legal context requiring that the price on Steam be lowered to match the price on another platform is distinct from requiring that the price be raised on another platform, even if the real-world effect amounts to the same because they can’t afford to lower the Steam price. Whether or not his answer makes sense depends on how the question was worded.
either he’s lying or out of the loop, because a lot of publishers reported that rule does exist.
Source of your quote: https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/gabe-newell-on-steam-monopoly-accusations-gamers-have-enormous-choice-about-where-to-buy-games/
Their source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-06-01/valve-s-antitrust-reckoning-over-steam-has-echoes-of-apple-google-app-store-sui
To me it sounds like he’s concerned about choosing his words very carefully to avoid admitting any illegal practices. I wish I could read the actual transcript of the deposition. In a legal context requiring that the price on Steam be lowered to match the price on another platform is distinct from requiring that the price be raised on another platform, even if the real-world effect amounts to the same because they can’t afford to lower the Steam price. Whether or not his answer makes sense depends on how the question was worded.