Does Steam "no better deal elsewhere" ToS prevent me from posting my game free here?

[tadalaphoenix]

Essentially, Steam has a ToS that says that "Steam keys shouldn't be given away for free if you aren't also offering the same deal to Steam customers",

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I'm unsure if this applies strictly to Steam keys or if I could also get my ass slapped by Steam if I offer my game for free here, for instance, or for a cheaper price on itch.io

I mean, it's not like I'll fight distribution if someone else posts the game here anyway, but I'm just wondering if I can make it easier by simply posting myself

Anyone got any experience with that?

 

[eevkyi]

If you don't have some kind of distribution agreement with Steam that requires exclusivity, you're free to distribute your game however and wherever you want without requesting keys to them. Most of the time, these keys end up being diverted to resellers, so it's best to only request a few when it's truly justifiable.

While reuploads may occur, it's definitely safer for everyone to download the game directly from the links provided by the developer.

 

[Jaike]

I think the cheaper price on itch would be an issue:

I'd totally recommend using steam: the big counter against it is your contract prohibits you treating Steam customers as second-class citizens. From Valve's POV this makes perfect sense; they don't want to provide keys so you can shit on valve's customers. It does mean you need to start charging (previously free locations) like itch.io and gamejolt customers.

It's a little complex, because stuff like subscription isn't directly counted. The big one is don't sell your game at storefront A for X and at Steam for X+.

What Steam doesn't want is someone going "I was an idiot for buying on Steam when I could have gotten it for free here". That hurts Steam's brand.

Not sure that applies to F95zone too, tho...

Would be nice if a dev with experience with Steam could say more.

 

[peterppp]

ask 3 people, you may get 3 different answers: yes, no, unclear. there's been rumors of valve pressuring devs not to sell their games cheaper on other stores even when not using steam keys. i'd say you're pretty safe doing it as long as you dont sell steam keys cheaper. no need to worry unless steam suddenly gives you shit for it

there's a class action against valve regarding this issue that's been going on since 2021 (many devs on steam have been/will be added automatically as plaintiffs to this case (unless they opt out)):

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see for instance page 41, point 139 and the image above it:

Thus, in order to receive any Steam Keys at all, the publisher must agree that “I understand that I need to sell my game on other stores in a similar way to how I am selling my game on Steam” and that “I agree that I am not giving Steam customers a worse deal.” The publisher must also agree that “I understand that while it’s OK to run a discount on different stores at different times, I agree to give the same offer to Steam customers within a reasonable amount of time.”

one of the plaintiffs said this:

when I asked Valve about this plan, they replied that they would remove Overgrowth from Steam if I allowed it to be sold at a lower price anywhere, even from my own website without Steam keys and without Steam’s DRM.

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[Count Morado]

Essentially, Steam has a ToS that says that "Steam keys shouldn't be given away for free if you aren't also offering the same deal to Steam customers",

You must be registered to see the links

I'm unsure if this applies strictly to Steam keys or if I could also get my ass slapped by Steam if I offer my game for free here, for instance, or for a cheaper price on itch.io

I mean, it's not like I'll fight distribution if someone else posts the game here anyway, but I'm just wondering if I can make it easier by simply posting myself

Anyone got any experience with that?

Don't upload your game here.
Someone should pirate it.
Request a disclaimer on the first post of the thread for your pirated game that says along the lines of:

We don't condone sharing of our content, the links to which are added by the F95 Uploader Team. However, we have chosen to take an active role in the community despite the content shared. Please support the project if you enjoy the content.

 

[tadalaphoenix]

Don't upload your game here.
Someone should pirate it.
Request a disclaimer on the first post of the thread for your pirated game that says along the lines of:

We don't condone sharing of our content, the links to which are added by the F95 Uploader Team. However, we have chosen to take an active role in the community despite the content shared. Please support the project if you enjoy the content.

That makes a lot of sense and aligns with my intuition; thanks for confirming! Means a lot coming from someone with experience in the community

 

[F4C430]

Anyone got any experience with that?

No i don't, but it's specifically talking about Steam keys in a section labeled Steam Keys Rules and Guidelines so i think you can safely reason that it only applies to Steam keys.

I'm unsure if this applies strictly to Steam keys or if I could also get my ass slapped by Steam if I offer my game for free here, for instance, or for a cheaper price on itch.io

Assuming you're only distributing your game and not Steam keys you should be fine to do as you please. You would want to look for some wording about distributing your work on other platforms (not Steam keys) if you want to be absolutely sure.

 

[peterppp]

That makes a lot of sense and aligns with my intuition; thanks for confirming! Means a lot coming from someone with experience in the community

is it really fragrant in there?

 

[tadalaphoenix]

is it really fragrant in there?

yeah I meant as char emoji but a shitty ass came out lol I thought about redacting but nah it is what it is, sometimes we're lame

 

[eevkyi]

If you don't have some kind of distribution agreement with Steam that requires exclusivity, you're free to distribute your game however and wherever you want without requesting keys to them. Most of the time, these keys end up being diverted to resellers, so it's best to only request a few when it's truly justifiable.

While reuploads may occur, it's definitely safer for everyone to download the game directly from the links provided by the developer.

Further to what I said earlier, there are open source games/apps that are sold on Steam and made available for free elsewhere, such as BYTEPATH, Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead, Pixelorama, and Krita. Unless you’ve signed some draconian contract or are being harassed by a Steam employee, you shouldn't have any problem sharing your game here.

 

[peterppp]

yeah I meant as char emoji but a shitty ass came out lol I thought about redacting but nah it is what it is, sometimes we're lame

i was referring to the fact that you kissed his ass so hard that you literally disappeared up his ass.

 

[tadalaphoenix]

i was referring to the fact that you kissed his ass so hard that you literally disappeared up his ass.

Ah

Was not the intention either but it seems my autistic side is getting the better of me today