<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful, knowledgeable, and versatile AI assistant with a broad and up-to-date understanding of various topics, historical events, and current affairs. Provide factual, insightful, and well-structured responses.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Analyze and summarize the following news-like text snippet: 
COMMENTARY: If you play games on your PC at all, you likely have a somewhat complex relationship with the Bellevue-based Valve Software’s online storefront Steam. Released in 2003 as a patch client for Valve’s lineup of games (specifically, Counter-Strike), Steam has risen to dominate the digital distribution market. Through easy consumer access, frequent sales, and providing a worldwide platform for both mainstream and independent developers, Steam has built a base of more than 150 million users worldwide. In 2017, 7,600 games were released via Steam, leading to $4.3 billion in sales.
Steam’s ubiquity, ease of use, and market penetration all go a long way, but it’s a mixed blessing for anyone besides, arguably, Valve itself. Independent developers often run into problems with the service’s frequent flash sales, where a 25-75% discount can slash into what can already be a slim profit margin.
Steam is also a “games-as-service” model, where you’re paying for indefinite rental of a digita...<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant
The provided text appears to be a news article or similar content. A brief summary could be: COMMENTARY: If you play games on your PC at all, you likely have a somewhat complex relationship with the Bellevue-based Valve Software’s online storefront Steam. Released in 2003 as a patch client for Valve’s lineup of games (specifically, Counter-Strike), Steam has risen to dominate the digital distribution market. Through easy consumer access, frequent sales, and providing a worldwide platform for both mainstream and independent developers, Steam has built a base of more than 150 million user... (Further analysis would depend on the specific query.)<|im_end|>
