Amidst discussions about the digital future of games and Sony's plans to abandon physical PlayStation editions from 2028, Gabe Newell's words have been recalled once again. The co-founder of Valve stated back in 2009 that piracy is not so much about prices as it is about the quality of service.
A fragment of an interview for the ABC Good Game program has once again gained popularity on social media. The updated recording on YouTube has been viewed over 1.6 million times, and many users believe that the Valve head's words sound particularly relevant today.
Newell explained that it is wrong to consider piracy solely as theft. According to him, many users of illegal copies have powerful computers and fast internet — the problem is not the lack of money, but inconvenient access to games.
As an example, he cited Russia, where pirated versions often appeared earlier than official releases. The situation changed after the launch of Steam with simultaneous global releases and support for the Russian language.
According to Newell, players are willing to pay if they get a fast and convenient way to buy games. Against the backdrop of the industry's transition to digital versions, his words have once again sparked discussions about game ownership and the preservation of purchases in the future.