The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal has ruled that a £656m market‑rigging lawsuit against Valve may proceed, potentially entitling some 14 million Steam users in the UK to compensation.

The collective claim, filed by digital rights campaigners and reported by Eurogamer, alleges anti‑competitive conduct that inflated prices and restricted discounting on Valve's Steam platform. The tribunal's ruling permits the claim to move beyond preliminary challenges and continue through the UK civil process for collective proceedings.

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The decision to allow the case to proceed does not constitute a finding of liability. It clears a procedural hurdle so that the substantive allegations can be examined at hearings and, if certified, at trial. The claim seeks a total of £656m in damages on behalf of affected UK account holders.

The Competition Appeal Tribunal is the specialist forum for collective competition claims in the UK. Allowing the case to advance signals the tribunal's view that the claim is arguable and meets the threshold for further consideration under the collective proceedings regime.

Next stages will include further court hearings to determine certification, the scope of the represented class and the timetable for litigation. Defendants in the case retain the opportunity to contest the allegations and present a full defence during the substantive process.

The ruling has wider implications for digital marketplaces and the regulation of platform business practices in the UK, with potential consequences for how pricing and discounting are managed across online stores if the claim succeeds.

Eurogamer provided initial coverage of the tribunal decision.