adminSteam revenue reached an estimated $11.1 billion in the first half of the year, according to Alinea Analytics. The figure represents a 14.5% increase year over year and the platform’s highest half-year revenue on record. The estimates point to strong demand for both recent releases and older games, with discounted catalogue titles accounting for a growing share of sales.
Image credit: Capcom
Steam revenue growth and the role of catalogue games
Alinea attributes the increase to several factors: higher player activity in Asia, particularly China; higher prices for new releases; and the popularity of viral co-op games. However, sales of games released in previous years were the largest contributor to the growth.
Publishers can use a new entry in a series to draw attention back to earlier titles. Discounts, bundles and limited-time offers give players a lower-cost way to explore a franchise or catch up before playing the newest installment. For shoppers, comparing bundle contents and checking which games they already own can help avoid paying twice for the same title.
Resident Evil Requiem earned an estimated $194.5 million, placing it among Steam’s top revenue-generating games. Capcom also promoted earlier titles in the franchise alongside Requiem, illustrating how a new release can support sales across a back catalogue.
Alinea says the share of revenue from catalogue games rose from 71% to 79%, while revenue from new releases has gradually declined since the first half of 2024. The figures suggest that established games remain a major part of the market, even as new titles continue to attract attention.
Top new releases on Steam
Several 2026 releases also generated substantial estimated revenue. Forza Horizon 6 led the group with $197.7 million within two months of launch. Of that total, $4 million came from downloadable content (DLC), including $2 million from VIP memberships.
- Forza Horizon 6: $197.7 million in estimated revenue.
- Crimson Desert: $190 million since its March launch.
- Slay the Spire 2: $141.7 million.
- Subnautica 2: $133.6 million.
- Meccha Chameleon: $73.1 million and the highest number of copies sold among these titles on Steam.
These results reflect different routes to attracting players: a recognisable franchise, a sequel with an existing audience, a price that encourages a quick purchase, or a distinctive take on an established genre. For players deciding what to buy, reviews, gameplay details and the price of optional DLC can provide useful context beyond a headline revenue figure.
What the Steam revenue figures suggest
Alinea’s findings indicate that a game’s commercial performance can extend well beyond its launch window. New releases may create renewed interest in older entries, while discounts help catalogue games remain visible in a crowded store. The company also notes that many new titles compete with a large selection of established games, making it harder for less-known releases to stand out.
Overall, the estimated Steam revenue record reflects a combination of player activity, new releases and sustained catalogue sales. Since these figures are estimates from Alinea Analytics, they should be read as an analysis of platform performance rather than confirmed publisher earnings.
