this post was submitted on 15 Apr 2025
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Gaming

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Why doesn't Steam support Android? (feddit.org)
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by Ulrich@feddit.org to c/gaming@beehaw.org
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Steam revenue estimated 2024: $10.8B

Google Play Store gaming revenue 2024: ~$31B

Why doesn't Valve want a part of that? I mean they already have an Android app. Several, actually. I realize there's some amount of investment but surely the payoff is worth it, and they have the necessary funds and skills? I mean if F-Droid can do it with nothing but volunteers and grants...?

Certainly plenty of games won't lend themselves well to the mobile experience but also plenty of them do.

From a personal perspective: I don't really care a whole lot for mobile games but I do like Balatro and want to play it on my phone, but if I want to do that I have to buy another license, which I can't even do because I don't run Google Play Services.

Epic got in on this already. Where's Valve?

Edit: my reflections on this conversation:

Valve could distribute their own app like Epic but they'd also probably have to remove it from the Play Store because now a cross-platform game would give them an Android version, thus breaking Google's ToS. So would doing such a thing outweigh lost sales from the Google version, and would it impact customer satisfaction? I wonder how many people are actually purchasing PC games in the Steam Android app...?

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

No, they would have to create and distribute their own app store, just like Epic.

[–] HappyTimeHarry@lemm.ee 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

And hows that working out for epic?

Valves strategy of not doing anything new in the last decade while every other publisber shoots themselves in the foot seems to be working pretty well for them.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

And hows that working out for epic?

I don't know, it's only been around for a few months.

Valves strategy of not doing anything new in the last decade

That's not their strategy. I mean, among other things you may have heard of this thing called the Steam Deck? Or Family Sharing? SteamOS? Shit there's a new video every week about Steam Client updates and improvements.

[–] HappyTimeHarry@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Given the choice between gaming on your phone or a steamdeck, why would anyone choose the phone?

So i guess thats one reason why.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

...because a phone fits in your pocket? And it already goes everywhere with you?

Even if you think it's dumb (which I mostly agree with) Apple alone makes more money from mobile gaming than every other gaming platform combined.

[–] HappyTimeHarry@lemm.ee 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I think it ultimately comes down to having to support another platform ads more work and risk then its worth.

For example theyd have to convince people to essentially break androids walled garden which means valve has to make sure everything they offer for android isnt malicous. Then there is the fact that phones are different specs, more testing, potential customer support ... Its a whole can of worms, but valve would gain little. There arent many people who want steam on their phones but dont already have it on pc.

Vavle is good at what they do, they have basically cornered the PC and portable PC markets already, i think not mucking around in an already monopolistic mobile market is a pretty wise business decision on their part overall.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

more work and risk then its worth.

It's worth billions.

theyd have to convince people to essentially break androids walled garden

It's not anymore a "walled garden" than Windows.

Then there is the fact that phones are different specs, more testing

There are billions of potential PC configurations. Android would be extremely easy by comparison.

valve would gain little

Did I mention billions? 💵

i think not mucking around in an already monopolistic mobile market is a pretty wise business decision on their part overall.

You could be right.