Game denies forcing games off UK Steam

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 25 August, 2011

Space Marine, Saints Row missing.

Game has strongly denied a rumour doing the rounds that it has forced some publishers to have their games removed from Steam in the UK.

A user on the Facepunch forum accused Game of asking publishers to remove their games from Valve's digital service or face the possibility of having them dropped from store shelves.

THQ's Space Marine and Saints Row The Third are currently missing from Steam for UK gamers. The PC version of the Space Marine demo failed to turn up on Steam this week - without explanation.

Bethesda is also mentioned, with the Facepunch user alleging Game imposed a one-month ban period on Splash Damage shooter Brink before it could be sold on Steam in the UK.

Brink mysteriously failed to appear on Steam alongside the launch of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.

Pre-ordering fantasy RPG Skyrim is also blocked for UK gamers.

Game today denied all the allegations.

"We can categorically state that these rumours do not relate to Game Group or any of its employees," Game told Eurogamer in a statement.

"We have had no such conversations with any publisher and have been in contact with various publishers who can confirm this for you as well."

Eurogamer has contacted THQ and Valve for comment.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (72) Latest comment 6 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • J0rdan_KZ #1 9 months ago

    GAME, you can't make that much money off PC boxed sales, surely. The game already uses Steamworks, so people will get Steam anyway! GAME are losing money and this is a stupid way to try get customers.

  • Kami #2 9 months ago

    ""We have had no such conversations with any publisher and have been in contact with various publishers who can confirm this for you as well."

    The best bit in bold.

  • X201 #3 9 months ago

    Pre-ordering of Skyrim is also blocked for UK buyers

  • neilka #4 9 months ago

    "Poland? Couldn't even point to it on a map," claims Hitler

  • EVERYGAMER #5 9 months ago

    Personaly after my comments on the Gabe Newell interview and my problems with steam I think my view on this will come as no surprise. I would rather buy a physical product anytime over a digital download even if it cost more. I'm not saying GAME are right but I am happy if this is the case. I will buy my boxed copy of Deus Ex tomorrow and a boxed copy of Dead Island when its released in Sept and I've pre-ordered my boxed copy of SW:TOR.

    I love boxes me :)
    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 25/08/11 @ 14:49

  • bobfish09 #6 9 months ago

    Homefront was absent from Steam UK at launch too and it requires Steam to work.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #7 9 months ago

    What would GAME gain from this? I thought Steam prices are generally a bit higher than retail anyway? Don't they have an online shop for lazy gamers who cannot be bothered to go to one of their shops? (Serious question, I don't live in the UK).

  • TipTop #8 9 months ago

    You lost me at "....a user from a forum."

    Is this what's replacing journalism, in which case I just saw Elvis in Leeds.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #9 9 months ago

    People really think Game have that much power in the PC games Market, compared to Steam. Please.

  • deadstoned #10 9 months ago

    Yeah, yeah, yeah BS Game.

  • DozyKipper #11 9 months ago

    So if it's not Game then who the hell is it? THQ is in cahoots with someone out there because ALL its games are ALWAYS missing from the UK Steam page on release.
    Edited by DozyKipper at 25/08/11 @ 14:53

  • Gastrian #12 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • Khosrau #13 9 months ago

    @EVERYGAMER

    That's all well and good of course (I prefer physical copies too), but it's a bit sad for gamers who prefer Steam, don't you think?

    So how can you be happy about this?

    @ DozyKipper

    Only Steam UK? That DOES sound a bit suspicious. How big is Game anyway?
    Edited by Khosrau at 25/08/11 @ 15:06

  • node #14 9 months ago

    GamesProgramer - That's irrelevant, they still have plenty of power with console games that they can leverage, particularly with a smaller publisher like THQ. Also, they can see the writing on the wall and want to do everything they can to stay relevant and profitable (futile though that is, long term).

  • DwarfyP #15 9 months ago

    That is a shame, I would have bought those games from GAME if they HAD gotten games removed from STEAM.

  • Daeltaja #16 9 months ago

    I don't believe this to be true, to be perfectly honest. It's not like they make big bucks on PC boxed games. Also, how could they 'impose' a ban on a publisher? Bullshit, they're just a retailer.

  • EVERYGAMER #17 9 months ago

    @EVERYGAMER

    That's all well and good of course (I prefer physical copies too), but it's a bit sad for gamers who prefer Steam, don't you think?

    So how can you be happy about this?

    @Khosrau

    I see your point but as I said I'm happy because it suits me better! I'm totally willing to conceed and defend someones right to slag GAME off as they "might" be interferring with what they consider the best option for them.
    Steam is ok for the most part and I have and will use it but I'd prefer the option of never having to use it. I just dont want it to be integral to my gaming experience. The problem is its never gonna settle into an equal divide where all games can be available on both mediums.

  • DozyKipper #18 9 months ago

    I'm sure I heard whisperings that it's Play.com that are behind it.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #19 9 months ago

    @Daeltaja: I don't believe this to be true, to be perfectly honest. It's not like they make big bucks on PC boxed games. Also, how could they 'impose' a ban on a publisher? Bullshit, they're just a retailer.

    A retailer can choose to sell whatever they want. If Game decides not to stock THQ published games then are free to do so.

  • MrChuckles #20 9 months ago

    THQ try and sell Space Marine on Steam for the PC, GAME threaten to not stock the console versions of Space Marine in their stores... Who Wins?

    This is EXACTLY what they forced on us last year with a PC release that we wanted to discount on Steam, they will not let you get away with it!

    GRR!!!

  • Gastrian #21 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • tankboi #22 9 months ago

    I hate GAME with my entire being. They are so greasy that I need to shower just after walking past their shop.

    Burn in hell, GAME. On the pile of your industry-hurting second-hand games.

    Anyone that messes with my Steam purchases deserves none of my respect.

  • gmmonkey #23 9 months ago

    This is ridiculous. The GAME that is nearest to me in Glasgow barely had a PC section. It took me ages to find all 3 shelves. I don't even know why they bother selling PC games. I no longer go to GAME to buy PC games because they have such a shit selection and, hence, I have to go online.

  • FireMonkey #24 9 months ago

    "How big is Game anyway?"

    They are everywhere! They seem to be the main gaming shop around.
    There is GameStation as well which is pretty big, but they are owned by Game so that doesn't really count.

  • EVERYGAMER #25 9 months ago

    @tankboi

    Why would you hate a company with your entire being? They are no better or worse than Steam. Companies aren't your friend they are in it for themselves and as consumers we just have to get what we can out of them as they in fight amongst themselves.

    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 25/08/11 @ 15:38

  • Khosrau #26 9 months ago

    @Firemonkey

    Ok, thanks. I was just wondering, we have no Game in the Netherlands.

  • Gastrian #27 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • Gastrian #28 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • tankboi #29 9 months ago

    @tjtj & EVERYGAMER

    How is it possible to hate a company? Have you ever used GAME? I hated them from the days of the N64. They provide a terrible service, their pricing is a joke, and their second-hand market is seriously hurting the industry.

    No better than Steam? (which is actually Valve FYI)

    You have to be kidding me. Steam provide a service that is basically a gold-plated blow-job in comparison to GAME. They do not bite the hand that feeds them by selling second hand games either. Why? Because Steam is a service run by a DEVELOPER.

  • EVERYGAMER #30 9 months ago

    @Gastrian

    They aren't the same company. EB licenced their name out to be used in the U.K. and it has to be paid for. Thats why when the E.B in the U.K bought out GAME all the shops turned into GAME stores and not into E.B stores. they basically got their own Brand name and stopped using E.B so they didn't have to pay for the priviledge.
    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 25/08/11 @ 15:49

  • MikkyX #31 9 months ago

    I do have to wonder how much time PR companies departments waste (and, consequently, how much they all get paid) I wonder having to deny rumours that started on Twitter / internet forums.

  • kangarootoo #32 9 months ago

    "We have had no such conversations with any publisher and have been in contact with various publishers who can confirm this for you as well."

    What about the publishers you haven't been in contact with? Can they confirm it too?

  • monsieur_qwerty #33 9 months ago

    TBH I used to buy most of my PC games online from Play/Amazon or Game. With Steam I didnt need to wait for the postman or some other shoddy delivery company so it's what I stuck with. Steam sells a lot of games, especially during the summer sales, so no wonder Game are trying to claw back the market.
    Edited by monsieur_qwerty at 25/08/11 @ 15:44

  • EVERYGAMER #34 9 months ago

    @tankboi. Firstly I do like the metaphor but its incorrect. Steam offer you the blowjob but then once you've paid (even if its cheaper than your normal high street "tupenny upright";) they then say in my recent experience, great well we can't give you the blowjob actually sorry our mouth wont fit round your cock, but tell you what why not go online where a group of others we promised blowjobs to have worked out ways we can felate you once you've fiddled with your own internal organs!

    GAME may be the ugly old hooker and you might never want a blowjob from her ever but at least you know what she is!
    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 25/08/11 @ 15:50

  • MrChuckles #35 9 months ago

    Just to be super-clear. GAME doesn't threaten publishers with the fact they wont store their PC games they threaten the fact they won't store the CONSOLE versions of their games.

    i.e. If you stop us making a few thousand with the PC boxed copies of your games, we will make sure your console version loses millions of sales! (Of course, we'll still sell it 2nd hand!)

  • lucky_jim #36 9 months ago

    @Gastrian and others: iirc, the UK version of Electronics Boutique (which, incidentally, didn't exist in the UK until the international company bought the UK based Future Zone chain) actually bought Game, not the other way around. As they'd already been spun off from the main EB company by then, they chose to retain the name Game rather than their own, so that people didn't confuse them with the (separate) international EB. Clearly, their attempt to avoid confusion hasn't been as successful as they probably hoped.

  • rojjer #37 9 months ago

    this is true. Just try getting the Space Marines demo off steam in the UK.

    what's that? You didn't know there was one? I rest my case. Fucking GAME..

    download space marine demo via steam from this link:

    steam://install/55410

    or click the link at the bottom of this article:

    http://www.v4vg.net/?p=2265
    Edited by rojjer at 25/08/11 @ 16:08

  • Seoh #38 9 months ago

    It seems to affect THQ games, this first happened with metro 2033.

    FYI you can still download the space marine demo on steam if you use this link steam://install/55410

  • bratmandu #39 9 months ago

    Game is still trading? I passed by one in the street but I thought it had been turned into a cash converters shop...

  • MrChuckles #40 9 months ago

    @tjtj - But think of it from THQs point of view. They are threatened by the biggest game retailer in the UK. Yes, GAME will lose some money, but THQ will lose a LOT more. GAME know that THQ will have to back down, and therefore they keep in control with threats and fear and never actually have to go through with the actual response as no will actually call their bluff, it isn't worth it for some PC Steam sales.

  • mumblyjoe #41 9 months ago

    Dont know about the rest of the UK but my local Game stores (3 of them) barely stock PC titles as it is. Looks like I might go elsewhere if I want too buy Fork Lift Truck sim 2012.

  • cw- #42 9 months ago

    @Gastrian

    Electronics Boutique in the UK was a franchise from an American company of the same name, EB UK bought GAME many years ago. The franchise use of the name EB ran out, so EB rebranded to GAME.

    So I BELIEVE the EB's you're talking about, are not the same company as GAME (as they have some shops across Europe branded as GAME), and is in fact the US company.


    [Edit: I was beaten by several posts it would seem. :) ]
    Edited by cw- at 25/08/11 @ 16:14

  • cheeky_pete #43 9 months ago

    I call BS on this. There's no other explanation because there is no other retail store that is capable of making the likes of Bethesda and THQ do this and they certainly aren't doing it of their own accord because A. They never used to do this and B. It make no sense for them to do it since they will get more sales and get more profit from digital copies.

  • MrChuckles #44 9 months ago

    @tjtj - GAME already has a pretty low reputation for hardcore gamers, and no-one else cares as it's on the highstreet and the easiest place for Mrs Miggins to buy little Timmy the latest COD game. If THQ call their bluff then GAME would definitely not stock their games, which as mentioned above, will cost them millions of pounds.

    Who at the top of THQ is going to worry about £6-700k or so when it could cost them £20-30mil?

  • arcam #45 9 months ago

    Why is it so hard for people to believe GAME could do this, when it is so widely accepted retailers are the reason for high prices on DD services in the first place?

  • MrChuckles #46 9 months ago

    @tjtj - Advertisers disassociated themselves with the News of the World once the PUBLIC turned against them. NOTW was already known as the 'gutter press' and everyone wanted to advertise with them because they have a huge readership.

    GAME is the biggest retailer in the UK and until that changes every publisher will deal with them however evil they are perceived.

  • MrChuckles #47 9 months ago

    tjtj- As i said in a previous post this DID happen with the company i worked at. They stopped us reducing the release price of a game on steam by saying they wouldn't stock our next console game. It is NOT a big leap of faith to reach this point.

  • MrChuckles #48 9 months ago

    I can't tell you that because then i could get into a lot of trouble. Anonymity has a lot of benefits on a gaming forum as it means i can say stuff without someone quoting 'Developer from company X said this about that', and then get fired.

  • Lateralus2001 #49 9 months ago

    I don't like to take as fact the post of some random person on an interent forum, but I would not be suprised if there was truth to this.

    I've known many people who worked in GAME and from what they're told me I don't trust that company in the slightest and won't again unless things change drastically. GAME is a company which doesn't mind screwing over the customers and even worse THE INDUSTRY that it owes its existence to.

    GAME is a business like all businesses its first thought is making a profit. Normally I wouldn't care how bad the service, choice and prices in a store are. As a paying customer I will simply take my custom elsewhere. I prefer to buy my games online rather than in GAME.

    GAME iin a desperate bid to save itself is hurting those who as gamers we all need to play great games - the developers.

    Personally it will make no difference to my mindset whether this rummor is true or not. When I last shopped in GAME regularly their obession pushing pre-owned games when I was going to the counter with new copies really began to grate after a while. This company does very little if anything to support the games industry and I'm amazed when I read any gamer stand-up for them. I don't have anything against shops sellling pre-owned copies of games in general as long as;

    1) The pre-owned games don't take up most of the shelf space leaving brand new less well-known (and sometimes excellent I should add) games not being displayed at all hurting their sales.

    2) They don't constantly try and get a customer who has taken to the counter a new copy to buy a pre-owned one.

    I quite like Steam really, although it not perfect. I understand why some have a problem with it. But I'd always take the side of the company that brought us Half Life 2 and Portal rather than the company who brought as used copies of games sold at £2 less the RRP of new copies.

  • Darren #50 9 months ago

    "The PC version of the Space Marine demo failed to turn up on Steam this week - without explanation."

    While it may be true that not everyone can download it as easily as they normally can, I obtained my copy through Steam just fine by clicking on the link to http://www.spacemarine.com/demo and cut & pasting the key into Steam, at which point it happily downloaded the demo and included in my game library.

  • Darren #51 9 months ago

    There is something funny going on with GAME though as I've had to cancel PC games orders with them when their release dates were looming with no movement on my pre-orders. I then ended up having to pre-order from ShopTo.net instead who sent them out straight away. Happened with Fable III, Test Drive Unlimited and two other PC games which I can't remember off-hand. In the past GAME have always been reliable for pre-orders so it stuck me as odd and that it was maybe a falling out with the publisher or something.
    Edited by Darren at 25/08/11 @ 16:53

  • geeza2020 #52 9 months ago

    /yawn

    how has this descended into another "pre-owned is killing this multi-million dollar industry!!!" argument???

  • Gastrian #53 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • randyronald #54 9 months ago

    @tankboi

    The only thing wrong with Game's second hand distribution practices are the absurd price tags they put on used games, most of the time only scratching off a fiver or so. Easy to avoid by shopping online, however.

    There is nothing wrong with second hand games. If you have a problem with it then I sure do hope you don't ever flog any of those games you've finished with on ebay, nor that wardrobe you no longer have space for because god forbid, Ikea may go bankrupt.

    EDIT: Oh and of course the insultingly low prices Game offer you for your trade-ins is an obvious demerit to their second hand market practices. Again, avoid this by going online.
    Edited by randyronald at 25/08/11 @ 16:56

  • Gastrian #55 9 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • EVERYGAMER #56 9 months ago

    @geeza2020

    Once its been pointed out that the actual premise of the article cannot be proved conclusively what else do you expect those with an axe to grind to do?
    Thats why as you rightly pointed out this thread has got quite boring!

  • immateriaux #57 9 months ago

    What the fuck are you on about Everygamer re the Steam blowjobs?

    PS with that "I love boxes, everybody else must love the box" thing you have going there, you could start your own religion. Hubbard did well enough from something only slightly less irritating
    Edited by immateriaux at 25/08/11 @ 17:33

  • StooMonster #58 9 months ago

    • Why is the UK the only country where people cannot pre-order Skyrim on Steam?

    • Why was Brink a month late to Steam in UK?

    • Why are Space Marine and Saints Row The Third currently unavailable to purchase on Steam in the UK?

    The only common factor that is known for sure is that whatever the cause is, it is UK specific. There must be some factor in the UK games publishing environment that is different to other territories that is responsible for this anomaly.

    "...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth" springs to mind.

  • KDR_11k #59 9 months ago

    Sounds possible, GAME is limited to the UK and so is this block, I can see the games on Steam just fine from Germany. And no, our version of Space Marine is not censored, execution kills are as bloody as they should be.

  • Gearskin #60 9 months ago

    This article is shit.

  • DodgyPast #61 9 months ago

    Taking a Game spokesperson at face value is pretty silly, hardly like they have the best track record for honesty.

    Sadly Game aren't the ones that will suffer from this but instead the publishers, after all it's just another encouragement for people to pirate.

    In some ways I feel sorry for the publishers ( for the first time in ages ), but at the same time they should man up and go public with whatever is forcing games off Steam.
    Edited by DodgyPast at 25/08/11 @ 20:17

  • EVERYGAMER #62 9 months ago

    @immateriaux
    I didn't start the metaphor merely ran with it. If you can't understand what I'm talking about browse through the Gabe Newell interview comments and between all the questions asking about HL3 and calling him a fat fuck I state why at this point in time Steam has earned my dislike and why I have been playing devils advocate in this thread.

    and to clear up the other matter I at no point said everyone had to have boxed copies I said that I prefer to purchase a boxed copy! Maybe some took offense that I wasnt outraged by the thought that a retail outlet was bullying companies. Put simply I'm not a videogame philanthopist. I don't care what you buy or where. I want the best for me and any of you who claim you want otherwise for yourselves is a barefaced liar. Of course you might want all digital medium as thats best for you and how you shop and game in which case good luck to you! I do care that I may someday lose my option to buy a boxed game and have to rely on digital services. Services which are not any more without fault than the myriad way retailers are! Neg away but in the back of your mind you know that to allow domination of any one form of distribution at the expense of all competition is to invite stagnation and a degredation of quality of service.

    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 25/08/11 @ 20:32

  • weebl #63 9 months ago

    Looks like I might go elsewhere if I want too buy Fork Lift Truck sim 2012.

    I LOL'd. Funniest comment I've read today.

  • Gearskin #64 9 months ago

    "Taking a Game spokesperson at face value is pretty silly"

    ... Yes because this article, based on a random forum post... that's not.

  • silversun #65 9 months ago

    Is frustrating about skyrim , going have to wait till after it comes out , hopefully it going on to steam after in been in the shops a week or two.
    Edited by silversun at 25/08/11 @ 22:09

  • DodgyPast #66 9 months ago

    I know Game are dishonest, whereas at least a random poster is an unknown :p

    It is one of those where there's smoke there may be fire situations, after all nobody is prepared to explain why certain games seem to disappear from Steam or not even make it on there for UK consumers while everyone else in the world is able to purchase them freely.
    Edited by DodgyPast at 25/08/11 @ 20:49

  • Gearskin #67 9 months ago

    Funny how Valve never comments. Lovely Valve. Everyone loves Valve.

    If it was really as nefarious as all that, Valve would be as equally to blame.

    But it's not is it. It's more than likely down to some kind of distribution shit. I remember when BRINK went missing from Steam. People might want to point the finger at GAME but you know what?... You couldn't buy the digital version from GAME either. So it's not even like they were trying to force people to buy it digitally from the site. You couldn't!

    The original post, this article, is all conjecture.

  • suicidal_penguins #68 9 months ago

    @everygamer

    What I want is choice, I find what's best for the greatest number is usually best for me too in the end. You sound a lot more small minded than that though. If you only want boxed games fine, but only having boxed games is equally as bad as only having digital downloads.

  • Kami #69 9 months ago

    I do agree Gearskin. But there are two things that get me in this.

    The first is the past - The Game Group are hardly angels, and Steam isn't perfect - but based on the past, Steam are saints in comparison. GAME and its subsidiaries have aggressively dominated the retail sector like this for years - this would be sucky, but hardly a surprise. When you are a big company with that many stores and online retail outlets, you get a lot of power tio have exclusives - abusing that power is easy, simple and the only surprise is why people are asking questions now after so long.

    The second is thus - why did a random forum post on the internet make them respond this way - and, may I say, with one of the most spectacular little PR Blunders I've seen in a long time. The scale of this PR Fail is delicious in its almost Freudian particulars - why deny having that power over publishers and them come out and say you've contacted publishers to defend you?

    They've been accused of far worse in the past. Why did this one post make them respond with what is the worst defence possible in the circumstances?

    Who knows. But I, like others, suspect The Game Group does have some role to play in this. The silence from publishers is deafening. People want answers. They're not getting them. People will put two and two together. Maybe it makes four. We don't know, because we're not being given an answer.

    That makes people suspicious. Especially when your defence is as brilliantly bad as that. Hardly going to quiet the rumours - if anything, only going to fuel it.

    But hey, no publicity is bad publicity, right?

  • EVERYGAMER #70 9 months ago

    @suicidal_ penguins

    Yes thats what I'm saying!
    What part of "Neg away but in the back of your mind you know that to allow domination of any one form of distribution at the expense of all competition is to invite stagnation and a degredation of quality of service." didnt you get?

    My own preference for a boxed game is neither here nor there. The whole reason this thread started was about the possiblity that one side of the distribution model might be leveraging control to gain an advantage over the other. In this case I simply stated I had no real issue with "alleged" practice as I prefer to buy boxed games. If you are suggesting my opinion holds any weight and will affect peoples choices in how they purchase games then you are mental!

    I dont mind the negativity as I already said I'm simply playing devils advocate as other wise this thread would just be GAME are shit posts as far as the eye can see. GAME arent perfect and neither is Steam. Use what you prefer. I accept that you dont like my views on boxed games. but respect that I dont like think that downloading games is the best future for game distribution.

    "I find what's best for the greatest number is usually best for me too in the end." are you really that much of a sheep that as long as its what everyone goes along with then its most likely the best thing! Talk about small minded :)


    Edited by EVERYGAMER at 26/08/11 @ 04:20

  • DilutedDante #71 9 months ago

    "The second is thus - why did a random forum post on the internet make them respond this way"

    Because a bunch of games websites asked them about it.

  • charonicus #72 6 months ago

    Saints Row 3 still unavailable on Steam, but can be pre-ordered from www.game.co.uk. They're not doing a very convincing job of denying this rumour...