- Steam made $11.1 billion in gross revenue in H1 2026, according to data firm Alinea Analytics.
- This is 14.5% higher than H1 2025 and 8% higher than H2 2025, even despite the holiday season in that period.
- This revenue figure almost reaches the pandemic peak of 2021 ($11.4B) in just six months.
Steam has consistently set new revenue records every year recently. The platform saw over 19k releases and enjoyed its best December last year. New research even found that it boasts over 200 million monthly active users, 50% more than PlayStation.
A new report now reveals that Steam generated over $11.1 billion in gross revenue during the first six months of 2026, its highest half-year yet.
This unbelievable threshold is 14.5% higher than what we saw in H1 2025 and 8% higher than H2 2025, even despite it having the holiday season in those months.
Why it matters: Steam’s half-year revenue has continued to increase at an unprecedented rate over the last decade. However, a decrease in revenue from new releases is still a concerning pointer for the industry, as AAA gaming continues to decline.
Alinea Analytics clarifies that this $11.1 billion figure almost reaches the pandemic-peak full year of 2021 ($11.4 billion) in just half a year.
Steam is growing swiftly due to a surge in Asian players, especially Chinese ones. Higher prices on new releases, viral co-op hits, and smarter back-catalog strategies by publishers are also driving this revenue train.
Many third-party publishers have also returned to Steam after failed launcher experiments over the years, which is starting to pay off for them and Valve alike.
The data firm also reveals Steam’s top 2026 releases by gross revenue, with Forza Horizon 6 dominating this chart with $197.6 million earned revenue. Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert take the next two spots, earning $194.5 million and $190.1 million, respectively.
However, the share of revenue from new releases is actually shrinking, from 29% in H1 2024 to 21% in H1 2026. Back catalog now accounts for 79% of all revenue, mainly due to publisher discounts, bundles, and timed sales for old titles.
Additionally, factors like diminishing graphical returns and the hardware crisis limiting incentive for AAA experiences are also contributing to this decline.
Do you think Steam will continue to set new records in the years to come? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers forum.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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