Back in the day, from around 2015 through 2019 I think, Valve was selling Movies and TV shows on Steam.

This didn’t work so well, mostly because of licensing issues - Specifically, Valve’s policy on ownership (If you buy it, you own it, forever. Removal of the media from sale does not remove it from your account), as well as distribution rights (Regionality).

More recently, Valve has been selling music on Steam. Specifically, game soundtracks, but I think Valve has an opportunity here.

The landscape of Indie Music is a lot more diverse than the one of Movies and TV shows. The average person doesn’t make TV shows or Movies, but they do make music.

Right now, if they want to distribute their music, they’re stuck with a few options:

  • They can offer it on YouTube
  • They can offer it on SoundCloud
  • They can offer it on Bandcamp
  • They can offer it on Spotify
  • Others as well, honestly. …

But notably, none of those options are going to give you almost any money.

YouTube, you’re going to be getting a lot of traffic but minimal money from Ads. SoundCloud, I’m not entirely sure what their split is if you charge, but I’m guessing it’s not going to be very high. It’s also not a site that most people visit often. Bandcamp’s cut is apparently 15-20%, so that’s actually super decent! Spotify is a hugely popular site, gets a LOT of traffic, but they will pay you a disgustingly small amount of money for every play you get.

(Of the sites above, YouTube and Spotify are the ones I use, but I use Steam more than both. Spotify I barely use.)

Steam on the other hand, as a platform, gives you 75% of the money you make from sales. And your cut goes up if you sell enough.

From the perspective of someone selling music, that is undoubtedly a very attractive option - You’re going to be able to get a lot of traffic, especially if you’re among the first, and keep most of the money that is made from sales.

I know that’s not the WHOLE picture, but it’s a good start. Honestly, Valve, if you’re reading this, make it an option! Unlike Movies/TV, there is space to make a name here. You could be the next major Music platform.