• Zorque@kbin.social
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    2 months ago

    They’re not, actually. Just because you only see Epic (which still has market share despite every effort they’ve made to drive people away) doesn’t mean there aren’t other storefronts.

    They’re definitely part of an oligopoly, though.

    • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Those other storefronts matter even less.

      Again: competition existing isn’t enough. It has to matter. Otherwise you’re describing a monopoly. It is a market dominated by one business.

        • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          This is abuse. This is making up rationale, to ignore the actual fucking argument.

          Standard Oil, the clearest trust-busting case in history, only had 85% market share at its peak. Me telling you to count to one is not somehow climbing atop my high horse and repeating a conclusion. I am making an argument - it is not complicated - the basis and reasoning are right there for you to respond to, or not.

          • stardust
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            2 months ago

            Okay so what is the store you are advocating people spend money on?

              • stardust
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                2 months ago

                Wrong? You have no call to action beyond saying steam is a monopoly? That’s the extent of your message?

                • mindbleach@sh.itjust.works
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                  2 months ago

                  Correct, acknowledging a fact doesn’t require a to-do list. There’s not magically The Good Store when you admit: this store has a monopoly. But for some god damn reason everyone seems to think shitting on Epic or talking up GoG will change that Valve has an overwhelming market position!

                  I am ONLY talking about Steam’s market position. Nothing else is required. If you think there must be a yeah-but: the answer is no.

                  What is so complicated about acknowledging this company dominates its market, in a subthread that begins by noting how crucial its sales will be, for a fuckoff-massive game, from a celebrated studio? The central topic is ‘game’s not making the numbers they want’ and the root comment is ‘lotta people waiting on a Steam version’ and my reply is ‘yeah it’s almost like Steam’s the one store that actually fucking matters’ and this blindingly obvious fact makes people lose their god-damn minds.

                  • stardust
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                    2 months ago

                    What store do you want people to buy from? There must be a point beyond saying steam is a monopoly. Enlighten us.