Steam costs money to operate. I really don't understand why people think steam should just be valorous and noble and not make any money.

This is exactly the point I'm making. Or rather, I really don't understand why people think steam IS valorous and noble and not just making money.

I'm just pointing out the flaw in your logic that people should be loyal to people instead. Any type of figure that you don't personally know is primarily a concept.

Agreed. I don't follow why that means you should have loyalty for them.

"Behaving like a responsible consumer" is an idealistic fantasy that mostly fails because of the prisoner dilemma.

Totally agree.

It doesn't help that steam is essentially the only game launcher that isn't tiny or garbage.

I agree with basically everything you said. I just think the rational implication is to be reservedly greatful for the parts that benefit you, and readily critical of the parts that don't. And I don't understand why people instead reach the conclusion that one or two random alignments in interests means they should swear their allegiance to a corporation that cannot possibly do the same for them.