Steam has achieved an impressive revenue milestone, generating $15 billion so far in 2026, according to Rhys Elliot, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics. This figure, derived from commissions and publishing fees on the platform, is expected to climb further with a strong lineup of anticipated game releases on the horizon. The success is notably driven by both major AAA titles and successful independent games.
Leading the charge in gross revenue for Steam this year is Forza Horizon 6, which has earned $210.5 million. Close behind, Crimson Desert contributed $203.3 million to the platform's earnings. Other significant contributors include Resident Evil Requiem, generating over $200.9 million, and Slay the Spire 2, which brought in more than $148 million. Rounding out the top performers are Subnautica 2 at $139.2 million and Meccha Chameleon at $89.8 million.
These top-performing titles represent a substantial portion of Steam's overall revenue. The top 100 new games by gross revenue account for approximately $2.4 billion, or 15.9%, of Steam's total 2026 earnings. Crimson Desert has played a particularly strong role in the revenue generated by new intellectual property (IP), accounting for about 18% of all new-IP revenue within the top 100 games.
Elliot's analysis highlights a trend in revenue generation, noting that while 63% of the top 100 new games were indeed new IPs, a larger share of the revenue, 52.5% or $1.25 billion, came from established IPs. However, he points out that Crimson Desert's significant contribution of $203 million means that without it, the remaining 62 new-IP titles would only constitute about 39% of the new-IP revenue. This suggests that established franchises continue to be a major driver of income on the platform.
Looking ahead, Steam's revenue is poised for further growth with several highly anticipated titles expected to launch. These include Phantom Blade Zero, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and Gears of War: E-Day, among others. Valve benefits from a commission on all sales made through Steam, encompassing not only full game purchases but also in-game microtransactions and downloadable content (DLC).