Chet Faliszek says Gabe Newell calls Steam an MMO

Former Valve writer Chet Faliszek said Gabe Newell has described Steam as an MMO.

Faliszek noted that Newell has repeatedly made clear what Steam really is in a recent YouTube video. On Steam, users can raise their account level, collect trading cards, customize their profile, and give awards to fellow players. Such tools let players show their identity, much like shaping a character in an MMO.

Faliszek argued that Steam grants players real agency and influence, comparable to battling enemies and looting dungeons in an MMO. He said the instant rewards keep players returning to Steam. He said that touting quicker load times is insignificant when the platform offers little to load.

Faliszek noted that lengthy load times never deter an MMO enthusiast from signing in. Faliszek said the Epic Games Store does not have a clear guiding vision for its design. Faliszek noted that while Epic provides self‑expression tools via UEFN and Unreal Engine, most players find the required effort too much to undertake.

Faliszek said Epic offers nothing that matches the quick reward of selling a Steam trading card for three cents. Faliszek critiqued Tim Sweeney’s recent jab at Gabe Newell and Epic’s aim to beat Steam by “vibe coding” its launcher. Faliszek admitted that Valve’s community moderation falls short of ideal.

Faliszek said there are worthwhile steps Steam could take to monitor and manage activity on its platform. Despite its moderation shortcomings, Faliszek said Steam’s community features still give players a sense of belonging that Epic has not matched. Steam counts more than 120 million monthly active users.

Valve collects a 30 percent fee on the majority of Steam sales. Steam launched in 2003. Gabe Newell remains president of Valve.

Gabe Newell co‑founded Valve in 1998 alongside Mike Harrington. Valve continues to develop hardware like the Steam Deck and VR, and software such as Half‑Life: Alyx. Gabe Newell rejected claims that Steam is a monopoly, emphasizing that PC gamers have many alternatives.

Newell said customers have ample choice, able to buy games on Xbox, Steam, Epic, or straight from developers. Bloomberg reported that Steam’s user base rose 60 percent over the past five years, with roughly 42 million gamers simultaneously active in its games. Newell argued against accusations that Valve enforces a policy that discourages lower prices on non‑Steam stores.

Newell said Valve has no policy or practice of setting prices for third‑party developers on other platforms. Newell said many partners and customers feel satisfied with the service Valve offers.