What Sweeney's Steamworks Claim Means for Cross-Platform Pla…

This spat keeps the spotlight on platform fees and cross-play policies, but for now, it's just another round in the Epic vs. Valve war of words.

This spat keeps the spotlight on platform fees and cross-play policies, but for now, it's just another round in the Epic vs. Valve war of words.

Key points - Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said Valve has held gaming back by locking developers into Steamworks' social walled garden. - Former Epic programmer Kiaran Ritchie called Valve's 30% revenue cut a '30% tax' and said Steam's only value is its network. - A community note pointed to Steam Datagram Relay, which allows cross-platform multiplayer on other stores and consoles. - Sweeney has previously supported a lawsuit against Valve and criticized Steam's AI disclosures and Steam Deck pricing.

Timeline - Recently: Epic claimed it 'vibe coded' the Epic Games Launcher to be faster than competitors. - Shortly after: Kiaran Ritchie tweeted criticism of Valve's 30% cut, calling it a 'tax' on the industry. - Then: Tim Sweeney responded, claiming Valve locks developers into Steamworks' walled garden. - Same thread: A community note cited Steam Datagram Relay as evidence of cross-platform support.

FAQ

Q: What is Steam Datagram Relay? A: It's Valve's virtual private gaming network that developers can use on other platforms if their game launches on Steam, enabling cross-platform multiplayer.

Q: Why is Tim Sweeney criticizing Valve? A: Sweeney has a history of criticizing Valve's practices, including its 30% revenue cut and what he sees as a closed ecosystem that limits cross-platform play.

Q: Does this affect players? A: Not directly—it's a war of words between CEOs. But it highlights ongoing debates about platform fees and cross-platform connectivity in gaming.