Steam Reports Record $11.1 Billion Revenue in H1 2026
Photo: Tom's Hardware
Quick answer
In H1 2026, Steam achieved a record $11.1 billion in revenue, up 14.5% year-over-year. Key drivers included a surge in Chinese players, price hikes, viral cooperative titles, and publishers returning to the platform…
Steam has shattered its revenue records, generating $11.1 billion in the first half of 2026. According to analysts at Alinea Analytics, this figure represents a 14.5% increase over the same period in 2025 and an 8% rise compared to H2 2025, traditionally the platform's strongest sales period due to holiday promotions.
Several key factors contributed to this growth. First, Chinese players significantly boosted activity on the platform. Second, publishers intensified marketing efforts for older hits, increasing the share of legacy games in total revenue. In H1 2026, only 21% of sales came from 2026 releases, down from 27% in 2025.
Top-selling games included Forza Horizon 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert, each generating around $200 million. Additionally, major publishers returned to Steam after abandoning proprietary launchers. For example, Activision continues to use its launcher for Call of Duty, but overall trends have improved.
The shift toward digital distribution is accelerating, with Sony announcing plans to discontinue physical PlayStation discs by 2028. Over the past decade, Steam's revenue has nearly quintupled, rising from $2.5 billion in H1 2017 to the current $11.1 billion.
Common questions
- What factors drove Steam's revenue growth in 2026?
- The primary drivers were the influx of Chinese players, increased game pricing, the popularity of cooperative hits, and publishers returning to Steam after unsuccessful attempts with proprietary launchers. Effective marketing strategies for older games also played a significant role.
- Which games were the top sellers on Steam in H1 2026?
- The top-selling titles were Forza Horizon 6, Resident Evil Requiem, and Crimson Desert, each generating approximately $200 million. Notably, 79% of revenue came from games released before 2026.
- How did new releases' share of Steam revenue change in 2026?
- In H1 2026, only 21% of Steam's revenue came from games released in 2026. This compares to 27% in 2025 and 29% in 2024, indicating a declining reliance on new releases.
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