Is Valve's Steam Anti-Competitive?

Absolut187 writes "Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford says Steam's domination of digital distribution is 'dangerous,' and exploits small developers. 'Steam helps us as customers, but it's also a money grab, and Valve is exploiting a lot of people in a way that's not totally fair. ... Valve is taking a larger share than it should for the service it's providing. ... There's so much conflict of interest there that it's horrid.' Pitchford's comments came as part of an interview with Maximum PC, and he thinks Valve should spin off Steam to its own company. Is he right? Is there a better answer?" Update: 10/10 at 02:00 GMT by SS: Randy has clarified his remarks in a comment here at Slashdot. He makes it clear that he likes Steam a lot, and for several reasons, but thinks stronger competition would benefit the industry as a whole.

Comments

Re:so do something about it

[Anonymous Coward]

I love people that whine about other people whining and then claim they weren't really whining like you're about to do.

Re:A system designed by greed...

[master5o1]

Wow... who would imagine.

WOW isn't on steam.

Re:Comment from the source

[Megaweapon]

As a guy who reads, trusts and respects slashdot and the community here

You lost me.

Re:so do something about it

[Trepidity]

That analogy doesn't make any sense. If all cars were made by one company, they would be a monopoly, for the reasons you cite.