Alinea: Steam's revenue hits $11.1 billion, setting a new record for the highest half-year earnings

A lone figure stands in the pouring rain on a dark city street, holding a bloodied axe. Several bodies lie on the ground around them, illuminated by streetlights and the headlights of parked cars in the background.

Image credit: Capcom

According to Aliena Analytics, the gaming platform Steam achieved a record $11.1 billion in revenue for the first half of the year, marking a 14.5% rise compared to the same period the previous year. This increase was primarily due to growing player engagement in Asian regions, especially in China, coupled with higher launch prices for new games and the appeal of popular cooperative games.

The surge in revenue was largely attributed to sales of older games, as publishers capitalized on releasing new sequels accompanied by discounts, bundles, and time-sensitive promotions. A notable mention is Resident Evil Requiem, which grossed $194.5 million, ranking it among Steam’s top revenue generators. Capcom facilitated this success through strategic promotions aimed at increasing sales of earlier titles in the series.

Alinea Analytics highlighted a shift, noting that revenues from new game releases have been on a downward trend since the first half of 2024, while sales from existing catalogs jumped from 71% to 79%. The firm stated, "When a new release must contend with a decade of discounted classics, financial gains are concentrated at the top with viral hits and popular franchises. At the same time, the launch of games faces a saturated market already rich with high-quality titles."

Leading the pack of new 2026 releases, Forza Horizon 6 earned approximately $197.7 million within two months, with downloadable content and VIP memberships contributing $4 million of that total. Meanwhile, Crimson Desert has achieved $190 million since its March debut, and Slay the Spire 2 followed with $141.7 million in revenue. Subnautica 2 has brought in $133.6 million, and the indie success Meccha Chameleon, although leading in units sold on Steam, reached $73.1 million.

Aliena Analytics stated these new releases have found success by offering a compelling hook, being part of a well-loved series, setting price points that encourage spontaneous purchases, or presenting unique takes on open-world RPGs.