I don't understand this mentality. If we oppose monopolistic sales platforms when it's Amazon, Google Play, or the Apple store why should we turn a blind eye when suddenly we like a particular company.

I'm not contesting that Steam offers the best user experience by a mile (it truly beats Epic and Gog by miles), but that doesn't erase the downsides of having a single entity with a grip on the entire market.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 7 months ago (11 children)

I think the whole "monopoly bad" notion is a bit off. You start opposing monopolies, but then people realized that duopolies are also bad, and next thing you know we talk about triopolies and centiopolies and whatnot.

So I think the actual number is not the thing that matters, and instead the thing we should be worrying about is cartels.

The defining feature of a cartel is the ruthless action it takes to kill competition. The monopolies everyone are so mad about are cartels of single companies, but the bad thing about them is their cartellic behavior - not the fact they are along in the market.

Steam is not a cartel.

[–] sanpedropeddler 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Oh so its ok because they haven't exercised their power in a way you don't like yet. Makes perfect sense.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yes. The subtle distinction between having physically fit legs capable of kicking babies and actually kicking babies.

[–] sanpedropeddler 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

This would be a good metaphor if there was a massive financial incentive to kick babies.