A recent study has revealed a significant sentiment among PC game developers regarding the dominance of Steam in the market. According to the findings, an overwhelming 72% of developers believe Steam holds a monopoly over PC games, while an even more striking 75% of studios surveyed attribute over 75% of their revenue to the platform. This data comes from a whitepaper titled 'The State of PC Game Distribution' by PC distribution platform Rokky, which was conducted by Atomik Research. The study surveyed 306 industry executives across the UK and USA between May 18 and May 22, 2025, with a significant portion (75%) being senior managers of C-suite level and 77% from studios with more than 50 employees. The survey also uncovered that developers are increasingly diversifying their distribution channels. While Steam remains a dominant force, with 48% of respondents having distributed titles to both Steam and the Epic Game Store, and 10% using GOG, 8% using Itch.io, the study highlights a growing trend towards alternative platforms. Interestingly, 32% of developers release some of their games on physical media, and marketplaces like G2A and Kinguin, as well as e-stores such as Fanatical and Humble Bundle, are also being utilized. Developers cited benefits such as ease of use, pricing control, promotional support, and international reach for these platforms. Furthermore, a substantial 80% of those surveyed anticipate using alternative channels alongside Steam within five years, with 75% predicting a significant 10% revenue uplift from using marketplaces and e-stores. However, concerns about the gray market and potential loss of control over their games were also expressed by the respondents. Despite these challenges, the industry is evolving rapidly, as noted by Rokky co-founder and CEO Vadim Andreev, who emphasized the importance of understanding the nuances of the changing landscape to stay relevant.
