A study indicates that 72% of developers view Steam as having a monopoly in the PC gaming sector

A recent study reveals that over 50% of game developers feel overly dependent on Steam for game distribution, with 72% perceiving it as a dominating force in the PC gaming market.

This information is derived from Rokky's new report, 'The State of PC Game Distribution.'

Conducted by Atomik Research, the study surveyed 306 industry executives from the UK and USA between May 18 and May 22, 2025.

A significant portion of respondents were in senior management roles, with 77% coming from companies employing over 50 people.

The findings indicate that Steam contributes over 75% of revenue for the majority of gaming studios.

Nonetheless, developers are increasingly turning to platforms like the Epic Games Store and Xbox PC Games Store.

The report shows that 48% of participants have listed titles on both these stores, while 10% have used GOG, and 8% utilized Itch.io.

Rokky points out that larger firms, with varied portfolios, tend to favor the Epic Games Store over Itch.io, which caters more to independent developers.

Additionally, 32% of developers still release games on physical media formats.

Alternative distribution options include marketplaces like G2A and Kinguin, and E-stores such as Fanatical and Humble Bundle.

Developers appreciate the ease of use, pricing autonomy, marketing support, and global reach offered by these platforms.

80% of those surveyed plan to explore additional channels alongside Steam within the next five years.

Three-quarters anticipate a revenue increase of at least 10% by leveraging these marketplaces and E-stores.

However, there are apprehensions about gray market risks and losing operational control over these platforms.

"The rise of E-stores and marketplaces has made PC game distribution more diverse and complex," stated Rokky co-founder and CEO Vadim Andreev.

"There are numerous opportunities and challenges. Established players remain important, and it's crucial to understand the landscape, which is why this report highlights key industry trends."