There's a big systematic inequality in gaming, particularly PC gaming where Blizzard's products are most popular.
Blizzard has its own launcher, which means they can sell directly to customers, at 0% commissions.
Any new Indies have to go through the monopolist Steam, which means a 30% commission and no direct access to their fanbase.
If we want better conditions in game development, it needs to be easier for disgruntled employees to leave and start their own companies. That means, explicitly, that Steam (holding the monopoly position on PC) needs to be pressured to lower its commission (the 15% level Apple and Google are moving towards seems reasonable) and offer the same terms to Indies as they do to AAA.
Blizzard has its own launcher, which means they can sell directly to customers, at 0% commissions.
Any new Indies have to go through the monopolist Steam, which means a 30% commission and no direct access to their fanbase.
If we want better conditions in game development, it needs to be easier for disgruntled employees to leave and start their own companies. That means, explicitly, that Steam (holding the monopoly position on PC) needs to be pressured to lower its commission (the 15% level Apple and Google are moving towards seems reasonable) and offer the same terms to Indies as they do to AAA.