Buying Retro Games: eBay vs. Steam vs. Amazon – Who Gets the Money?

Wanting to support game developers is admirable, but buying older games on eBay rarely helps them directly. Here's the breakdown:

eBay (Physical Copies)

• Pros: Potential deals on rare/collector's editions; physical ownership nostalgia.
• Cons: Money goes to the reseller, not the developer. Risk of damaged discs, fakes, or scams. No developer revenue.

Steam & Amazon (Digital/Physical)

• Pros: Steam sales give developers a revenue cut; frequent discounts. Amazon sells new physical copies where publishers still earn royalties.
• Cons: No physical collectible (digital); Amazon prices may exceed eBay for used items.

Better Ways to Support Developers Directly

• Buy directly from the developer's website (if they sell legacy titles).
• Back their Patreon/Kickstarter for current/future projects.
• Leave positive reviews on Steam/GOG to boost visibility.
• Follow and engage on social media.

Decision Factors

• Price: eBay often wins for cheap used copies.
• Convenience: Steam/Amazon are instant/streamlined.
• Developer Support: Digital storefronts (Steam, GOG, itch.io) or direct purchases are best.

Note: Re-buying a game you own on Steam still signals demand and contributes to sales metrics.