The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is taking a closer look at the computer games market. Steam and Playstation Store targeted

– The digital game distribution market is replacing traditional sales. Players are buying games in boxes less and less often, but are purchasing digital copies on online sales platforms, says Tomasz Chróstny, president of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. – At the same time, we see that in this market there may be practices limiting competition on the part of the largest players – he continues.

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection is taking a closer look at the video game industry. Control, among others at Sony headquarters

For this reason, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection initiated explanatory proceedings. It applies in particular to the activities of providers of platforms such as PlayStation Store and Steam. – I commissioned inspections from three entrepreneurs. We are currently analyzing the collected evidence, explained Tomasz Chróstny. The inspections are to take place at Sony’s headquarters, as well as at two video game developers and publishers in Poland.

The inspectors will check whether there was any abuse of a dominant position and whether any prohibited agreements were concluded by providers of digital video game distribution platforms. The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection explains that this could result in the exclusion of competing platforms, which in turn could affect prices for players.

“This includes the application of restrictions on the sale of games and additional content on competitive platforms or online stores, interference in the prices and discount policies of game developers and publishers, and limiting market access to competitive platforms and other digital service providers,” the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection lists. .

The giants face huge financial penalties

If the collected information confirms the suspicions, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection will start antitrust proceedings and bring charges against specific companies. Then it may impose a fine of up to 10%. turnover, and managers responsible for participating in an agreement restricting competition a penalty of up to PLN 2 million.