Wolfire and Dark Catt Antitrust Lawsuit vs Valve Granted Class Action Status

In 2021, Wolfire Studios and Dark Catt Studios took legal action against Valve, claiming antitrust practices. Recently, this lawsuit was granted class-action status by United States District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead. This decision opens the door for a larger dispute involving developers, publishers, and individuals who have paid Valve a commission for game sales since January 28, 2017.

The initial lawsuit in April 2021 by Wolfire Studios criticized Valve’s high commission rate as anti-competitive. Despite some claims being initially dismissed, the developer updated their arguments in May 2022. Similarly, Dark Catt Studios filed its own antitrust lawsuit in June 2021, with some claims gaining traction.

In a move to streamline the legal process, both cases were consolidated into one class action. This lawsuit focuses on Valve’s 30% commission on game purchases and aims to represent all affected parties. Notably, Valve’s request to exclude expert testimony was denied, allowing Dr. Steven Schwartz to support both studios’ cases.

This legal battle mirrors similar issues faced by Sony, who is also involved in a class-action lawsuit. Sony’s decision to restrict direct sales of digital codes for PlayStation games raised concerns of monopolistic behavior and higher prices for consumers. While the legal proceedings are ongoing, it could be some time before a resolution is reached.