Post #3297643

2026-06-03 10:22 UTC

Amazon got slapped with a substantial fine (in the EU) for having basically the same “rule” in their contracts, that forbid cheaper listings elsewhere. So yes, in the EU hanging that rule is illegal. But if it applies to digital licensing is another matter. You do know you’re only renting access to the game with a one-time fee, not buying it, right? Edit: the original comment left it unclear if the price rule only applies to copies sold that include a steam key, or if copies that work completely without steam can be arbitrarily priced. If the latter is the case, it’s obviously fine. If it includes any game version, it isn’t OK.

Replies (2)

@lime@feddit.nu 2026-06-03 10:32

amazon’s case is different. if you’re selling the steam version of your game it needs to match the price on steam. if you have a separate non-steam version you can charge whatever you want. the reason places like gog follow steam pricing is, why wouldn’t they? makes them more money.

Open ##3297642
@it_depends_man@lemmy.world 2026-06-03 11:57

Edit: the original comment left it unclear if the price rule only applies to copies sold that include a steam key, or if copies that work completely without steam can be arbitrarily priced. If the latter is the case, it’s obviously fine. If it includes any game version, it isn’t OK. Ok. The rule is, actually let me link it… partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/keys “Steam Key Rules and Guidelines” “You should use Steam Keys to sell your game on other stores in a similar way to how you sell your game on Steam.** It is important that you don’t give Steam customers a worse deal than Steam Key purchasers.”** Just read that paragraph. It should be pretty clear what the whole thing is about.

Open ##3297683