Antitrust Lawsuit
Ongoing coverage on Antitrust Lawsuit.
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Zillow settles antitrust lawsuit with the FTC
Zillow has reached a settlement in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission. The terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed, but the case involved allegations of anti-competitive practices.
Nintendo’s Physical Releases Accounted for 38.5 Percent of Game Sales in the Latest Quarter
Nintendo reported that physical game sales accounted for 38.5 percent of its total game sales in the latest quarter, a figure significantly higher than Sony and Microsoft. This comes as Sony plans to end PlayStation disc production in 2028, a move that has sparked industry discussion and antitrust lawsuits concerning digital storefronts and game ownership.
State AGs sue to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger
A dozen state attorneys general have filed an antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The legal action aims to prevent the consolidation of these major media companies.
Gabe Newell hits back at claims that Steam has a monopoly on the PC marketplace
Valve President Gabe Newell has testified that Steam does not hold a monopoly in the PC gaming market, despite facing antitrust lawsuits from Wolfire Games and others. Newell claims consumers have numerous purchasing options and denies Valve enforces price parity obligations on other platforms. While Steam holds a dominant market share, Valve attributes its success to continuous innovation rather than a monopoly.
Valve reportedly threatened Ubisoft with a total delisting of Rainbow Six Siege "by end of day tomorrow" when it tried selling it cheaper on Uplay
Valve reportedly threatened Ubisoft with delisting Rainbow Six Siege from Steam if it continued to sell the game cheaper on its Uplay storefront. This incident is part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Valve, which also involves allegations of pressuring Warner Bros. Games over pricing for Middle-earth: Shadow of War.
Valve Boss Testifies “Consumers Have Enormous Choice” on PC During Antitrust Lawsuit
Valve president Gabe Newell testified in a 2023 antitrust lawsuit filed by Wolfire Games, asserting that PC consumers have extensive choices for purchasing games. Newell denied claims of an unwritten rule preventing developers from offering lower prices on competing platforms, despite evidence presented to the contrary. Wolfire Games' lawsuit alleges that Valve's practices harm developers and gamers by leveraging Steam's dominant market position.
Gabe Newell on Steam monopoly accusations: Gamers have 'enormous choice' about where to buy games
Valve chief Gabe Newell testified in an antitrust lawsuit, denying that Steam holds a monopoly on PC gaming and stating that customers have 'enormous choice' in where they buy games. Newell also denied an alleged unwritten rule preventing developers from offering lower prices on competing storefronts, despite internal communications suggesting otherwise.
MMO Business Roundup: PlayStation class action, Steam Controller sellout, and GTA6’s ‘core’ audience
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including a preliminary approval for a $7.85 million settlement in an antitrust class action lawsuit against Sony over PlayStation Store practices. Valve's Steam Controller sold out rapidly, leading to a reseller market. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated Grand Theft Auto VI is primarily aimed at console players, despite PC's significant sales share. Finally, Steam's April hardware survey shows over 25% of users are still on Windows 10.
US PlayStation players could be due payout as court agrees class-action settlement of $7.8 million
US PlayStation players may receive a collective $7.85 million in refunds following a preliminary approval of a class-action settlement in an antitrust lawsuit against Sony. The lawsuit accused Sony of monopolizing the market for digital games through its closed PlayStation Network store. Players who purchased digital games between April 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, may be eligible for compensation, with a final hearing scheduled for October 15, 2026.
Saturday Legal Briefs
Multiple State Attorneys General have joined an antitrust lawsuit against the proposed merger between Nexstar and Tegna. Separately, senators have banned themselves from prediction markets after candidates were found to be betting on their own races.
Fortnite back on Google Play worldwide after Epic and Google settle
Fortnite is now available worldwide on the Google Play Store following a settlement between Epic Games and Google that resolves their antitrust dispute. This marks the return of the popular game to the platform after a nearly six-year absence. The settlement also includes changes to Google's app store policies, such as easier access for rivals and reduced developer fees.
PlayStation Gamers Could Win £2bn Compensation in Massive Lawsuit
PlayStation gamers may be eligible for up to £2 billion in compensation if a massive antitrust lawsuit against Sony succeeds. The lawsuit, reported by Sky News, alleges wrongdoing by Sony within its PlayStation ecosystem. While the potential payout is significant, the article notes that such legal battles can take years and success is not guaranteed, with many class action lawsuits resulting in small payouts.
