Valve's digital storefront, Steam, has experienced its most profitable six-month period to date, generating an estimated $11.1 billion in gross revenue during the first half of 2026. This figure represents a 14.5% increase over the same period in 2025 and an 8% rise compared to the typically stronger second half of 2025, which includes significant holiday sales. The data comes from a report by Alinea Analytics.
The PC gaming sector, in particular, continues to outpace both mobile and console markets in growth. Several factors are contributing to Steam's surging revenue. New game releases are seeing higher price points, blockbuster titles like Meccha Chameleon are achieving massive commercial success, and a notable resurgence of major third-party publishers, such as Ubisoft, returning to the platform after attempting independent distribution strategies, has bolstered sales.
This surge aligns with a long-term upward trend for Steam. Yearly revenue has climbed from an estimated $5.5 billion in 2017 to approximately $20 billion in 2025. Interestingly, the proportion of revenue from older titles is increasing, with games released in 2026 accounting for only 21% of the platform's revenue so far this year, down from 29% in 2024.
Despite the trend towards older titles, several new releases have been significant financial successes. The top five grossing new games of 2026 include Forza Horizon 6, Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert, Slay the Spire 2, and Subnautica 2. Meccha Chameleon secured the sixth spot. The presence of a first-party Xbox title at the top of this list is noted given broader industry dynamics. The report cautions that continued industry growth may be challenged if major companies persist in restructuring the teams essential to their operations.