Rumors of Microsoft supposedly acquiring Steam are once again spreading across social media, just a little over a month when talks about the alleged deal first emerged.
Discussion about the rumored acquisition re-emerged after user @plasma_node shared a screenshot of a Guru3d article showing that Microsoft is posing to acquire Steam's parent company Valve for $16 billion.
The article, which was originally posted in May, has long been debunked after internet sleuths found that the report's source is not affiliated in any way to Valve or Microsoft.
Neither Steam nor Microsoft has also confirmed any acquisition discussions between the two.
Also Read: Steam Records 37 Million Active Players During Summer Sale
Rumored Microsoft-Steam Deal Receives Backlash from Steam Players
While many people have scrutinized the authenticity of the report, many users were quick to bash Microsoft for monopolizing the Western game industry.
People's opinion on Microsoft, who also owns Xbox and Bethesda, continues to sour following its acquisition of Call of Duty publisher Activision-Blizzard for $75.4 billion.
The biggest gripe many players have around the company's acquisitions surrounds the increase of microtransactions in AAA games that are already being sold at $60 to $70 for its basic set.
It did not help that reports that Microsoft is posing to release future games initially as Xbox Game Pass exclusives. Yes, the same subscription-based game pass Microsoft increases the monthly fee every year.
With talks of the tech giant adding another gaming industry icon under its wing, people are afraid that similar issues would surface on Steam if Microsoft ever acquired Valve.
Related Article: Xbox Issues Price Hikes for Game Pass Subscription to $20/Month
Microsoft Steam Acquisition: How Likely it Would Actually Happen?
While reports of the acquisition may not be true at this point, the possibility of Microsoft owning a huge portion of Valve and Steam is not far from reality, especially with the company's increasing efforts to capture the video game market.
A $16 billion acquisition bid, however, is highly unlikely with Steam continuing to increase its revenue, recording a $9 billion earnings last year.
That is much greater than the $8.80 billion net revenue Activision-Blizzard earned before Microsoft offered it $75.4 billion to transition ownership.
If the tech giant really intends to purchase the biggest and most successful game store in the industry, it would need more than the rumored $16 billion proposal.
