Valve announced it will no longer replenish physical Steam gift cards once current inventory is sold out.
The company said a rise in fraudulent transactions targeting the cards forced the change. Existing stock will still be sold, but any future shortages will not be filled. Valve posted the decision on its community blog, noting that scammers were exploiting the cards to steal funds from unsuspecting buyers.
For consumers, the move removes a convenient purchase option and nudges them toward digital codes, which are easier for Valve to monitor. Retailers that relied on stocking the cards may need to adjust their offerings or risk lost sales.
The shift hints at a broader industry trend of tightening control over physical media that can be abused, even if it inconveniences legitimate shoppers.