[flaunf221]

> Valve is one of the most efficient (revenue/staff) corporations there is

Efficiency is not a word I would use when speaking about rent-seeking. Landlord that 20 years ago bought some land that later became valuable and who is today renting it out is infinitely efficient as they are doing jack. And amount of respect they get is about equal to their economic output.

[dismalaf]

True but in the physical world a landlord has a monopoly over the parcel of land. Valve has a ton of competitors that seemingly get no traction and Steam is beloved.

[flaunf221]

No landlord owns entire planet. You never need to agree. If you want to open your store (=sell your game) you can always just rent or buy some other place that this landlord doesn't own. Like for example 150 kilometres away from here where you may get 2 visitors per day, sometimes there will even be humans.

Same with Steam. You are absolutely free to sell your game not on Steam. Except that unless you're a super massive giant selling highly anticipated game you might get no sales. But the choice to eat or starve is always up to you.