Study Reveals 72% of Developers View Steam as a Monopoly in the PC Game Market

A recent study has revealed that 72% of developers consider Steam to be a monopolistic force in the PC gaming market. Additionally, a majority of those surveyed indicated that the platform generates approximately 75% of revenue for studios.

The research, conducted by Rokky and titled The State of PC Game Distribution, is based on a survey of 306 industry leaders from the UK and the US, carried out by Atomik Research from May 18 to May 22, 2025. Among the respondents, 75% hold C-level positions, and 77% are employed at studios with more than 50 staff members.

The study found that many companies rely heavily on Steam for the distribution of their games. At the same time, developers are beginning to explore alternative platforms, such as the Epic Games Store and Xbox PC Games Store. Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) have released games on both of these platforms, while 10% have utilized GOG, and 8% have chosen Itch.io.

Rokky points out that larger companies are more inclined to select the Epic Games Store and Xbox Store, whereas Itch.io is more focused on independent developers. In addition to digital distribution, 32% of participants are also releasing some of their games on physical media—such as discs, cartridges, or in a boxed format with a key.

Developers also utilize marketplaces like G2A and Kinguin, as well as services like Fanatical and Humble Bundle. They value these options for their convenience, pricing control, marketing support, and access to a global audience.

According to the findings, 80% of developers plan to use alternative channels alongside Steam within the next five years, while 75% anticipate a revenue increase of at least 10% due to marketplaces and key stores. However, they also express concerns about the gray market and the potential loss of control over their products.