Steam is not only the favorite platform of players, but also the favorite of the developers. Despite other digital stores, such as the Epic Games Store, offer lower rates than traditional 30% of Steam, the Valve platform has a difficult advantage to overcome: the purchase behavior of its audience.
According to market analyst Chris Zukowski, Steam is extremely advantageous for studios of all sizes because their user base is largely composed by collectors-players who buy titles that are likely never play, just to have them in their library.
“The most impressive thing about Steam and their players base is that they buy games that won’t play. Most likely, the person who is buying your game won’t play it.
The reason Steam generates so much money for independent games compared to other platforms, is that it has built an audience of extremely dedicated hobbyists… Basically, these hobbyists buy things not because they really want to consume them, but because they are collecting. ”
For Zukowski, Valve has solved one of the main problems that Nefix faces: “How to sell to people who have so much entertainment available that they don’t have enough time on the day to consume everything.”
“The reason game developers agree to give Valve’s revenue 30% because Steam’s marketplace is full of super gamers who play money in games that have no intention of playing.
Knowing that Steam players are accumulators explains why you give those 30% [Valve]: You have access to a bunch of drunken sailors who irresponsibly spend money.
Steam players are pleased to find a hidden jewel and add it to their collection, hobbyists find pleasure in collecting. Even though, deep down, they will never really play. ”
According to the analyst, if Steam users were more responsible and only bought the games they really want to play, the platform’s sales numbers would be drastically smaller. “Half of the industry would disappear”he commented.
And you, do you agree with the analyst? Tell us your opinion!
Fotne: PC Gamer
Source: https://www.gamevicio.com/noticias/2025/07/para-analista-jogadores-do-steam-sao-compradores-compulsivos/
