Steam on track for a record: the platform is set to earn over $20 billion for the first time in its history by the end of the year, analysts predict

According to an estimate by the analytical company Alinea Analytics, Steam earned approximately $15 billion in gross revenue during the first eight months of the year — about 15% more than in the same period of 2025. If the current trend continues, the figure will exceed $20 billion by the end of the year.

An analysis of the 1000 most profitable games shows that among positions 101 to 1000, 83% were released before 2026. Two-thirds of these games have been around for at least two years, and 51% of this group's revenue in 2026 comes from projects that have earned over $50 million lifetime after release.

According to Alinea Analytics, the 100 most profitable games released in 2026 collectively generated about $2.4 billion, or 15.9% of Steam's total revenue for the first eight months of the year. 52.5% of the revenue from these hundred games came from existing franchises.

Among the most successful new releases, analysts highlight Forza Horizon 6 (about $210.5 million on Steam), Crimson Desert ($203.3 million), and Resident Evil Requiem ($200.9 million). The six largest new games of 2026 together brought in just under $1 billion.