Readit NewsAnd what would prevent us from accepting minors as our clients or lowering our commission? Both would be possible with the push of a button and some changes in our TOS. We probably won't do either and there are reasons for that. Just trying to dismiss this point.
Interesting discussion overall...greetings from Hannes (CEO SkinBaron GmbH)
You are right, you could do that. It would mean some changes to your KYC flow, and probably also a few chats with the bank to stay compliant. Lowering comissions sure. I am not aware of your costbase but could be doable. Now that you are here, why do you charge so high fees? And what are your thougths about Netease looking towards the west?
Why do you need the API key? Why not just do it like a traditional escrow service: you receive both the money and the item traded to a steam account you own. Then once both are received you send the money and you send a trade request giving the item to the receiver?
We need the api key to validate the state of the trades
Would that mean Steam takes their cut twice? Or can you "gift" items for free?
You can gift them for free
Why do you need the API key? Why not just do it like a traditional escrow service: you receive both the money and the item traded to a steam account you own. Then once both are received you send the money and you send a trade request giving the item to the receiver?
Using bots as middlemen imposes other challenges. First there is a 7 day tradelock of the item. Second bots are prone for scams. Third you cannot play with your skin in the meantime
Valve only allow non-commercial use of virtual items, you can only sell items through steam marketplace
This is not correct
Valve only allows non-commercial use [1], and selling items not on steam marketplace is clearly against it.
[1]: https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/ (2 A)
This is for the steam client, and thi agreement is mainly aimed at content/game developers
What do you think is wrong with existing solutions like OPSkins (RIP, played themselves), Bitskins, etc?
Most marketplaces fall under obscure or to expensive. And pretty much none of them have built a compliant way of onbording minors who suffer the most from scamming. So they are all 18 plus.
Regards
Martin Co-founder GamerPay (YC summerbatch '21)