• mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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    5 hours ago

    But Steam’s totally not a monopoly, you guys.

    No, the word does not mean competitors don’t exist. It means they don’t matter.

    No, the label does not mean we have to shatter Valve. Having market dominance and abusing it are different things, but we still need to recognize when a company fffuuucking obviously has it.

    If Gaben suddenly announces he’s sold it all to Larry Ellison, that has ruinous implications for the entire PC gaming market, despite the fact Valve does not strictly own PC gaming. They don’t have to, to be an outsized influence, to the point most people will readily admit they only buy from one store. We have a word for that.

    • zalgotext@sh.itjust.works
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      4 hours ago

      Yeah I don’t think anyone can form a good faith argument claiming Steam doesn’t have a monopoly.

      The thing is, all a competitor has to do to take away Steam’s monopoly is to make a product as good or better than Steam

      • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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        2 hours ago

        I’ve had dozens of people pile on to insist Steam is not a monopoly. They’re the ones I’m quoting about it being the only store they use. They’re the ones downvoting me, and only me, for pointing out it is a monopoly, while they upvote you for also saying it’s a monopoly, but in a yeah-but phrasing.