Steam will approach the $20 billion revenue mark in 2026

Steam is preparing to set a new revenue high after an analytics forecast from Alinea Analytics projects Valve's platform could top $20 billion in 2026.

The firm reports Steam earned $15 billion in the first eight months of the year, a pace that would surpass 2025’s total of $19.9 billion.

Alinea estimates year-over-year revenue growth of about 15%, reflecting increased spending by PC players that mirrors broader industry trends. The console market is also expected to have an exceptional year driven by Grand Theft Auto 6, the forecast notes. Valve has not released official full-year figures or public forecasts.

Alinea credits the projected record largely to several high-performing new releases that led Steam’s revenue charts. Notable titles named in the forecast include:

• Forza Horizon 6
• Crimson Desert
• Resident Evil Requiem
• Slay the Spire 2
• Subnautica 2
• Meccha Chameleon

The forecast also highlights a number of mid-tier successes that contributed meaningfully to platform revenue, such as Mortal Shell II, Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, and The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin.

Despite these hits, income from the top 100 new games amounted to only $2.4 billion over the year; the remainder of Steam’s revenue came from older releases and less commercially successful projects. Analysts cited by Alinea point out that much of the growth can come from the mid-tier segment rather than solely from blockbuster launches.