In a surprising turn of events, Steam is experiencing remarkable growth while gaming giants Xbox and PlayStation are finding it tough to maintain their momentum. Valve's gaming platform has reported unprecedented success, solidifying its dominance in the industry.
Steam's Impressive Financial Performance
In the first half of 2026, Steam achieved its highest revenue to date, totaling approximately USD 11.1 billion, or around Rp 201 trillion. This figure surpasses their earnings from the same period last year, showcasing a significant upward trend in their financial performance.
Factors Contributing to Steam's Success
According to market analysis by Rhys Elliott from Alinea Analytics, several factors are driving Steam's exceptional results. Notably, around 50% of Steam's users are from China, a major contributor to its market dominance. Additionally, the platform has increased prices for newly released games, and third-party publishers are returning to Steam, further bolstering its position.
Long-Term Growth Trends
Over the past decade, Steam's revenue has nearly quintupled, with the first half of 2026 showing earnings almost five times higher than the same period in 2017. Despite a dip during the post-pandemic market normalization, the long-term growth trend remains strong, with seven consecutive semesters of revenue increase.
Top-Selling Games on Steam
This year, some of the best-selling titles on Steam include Forza Horizon 6, which generated USD 197.7 million in under two months, and Resident Evil Requiem, with revenues of USD 194.5 million since its February launch. Additionally, Crimson Desert has earned USD 190 million since its March release. Several indie games have also performed exceptionally well, such as Slay the Spire 2, Subnautica 2, and Meccha Chameleon, each contributing significantly to Steam's revenue.
Challenges Faced by Xbox and PlayStation
In contrast, both Xbox and PlayStation are encountering challenges in the gaming market. Microsoft reported a 7% decline in gaming revenue compared to the previous year, and recent adjustments indicate that recovery may not be imminent. Meanwhile, PlayStation has struggled with declining sales of exclusive titles since 2020. Furthermore, Sony's decision to limit the release of exclusive games on PC has compromised potential earnings.
As the gaming landscape evolves, it will be interesting to see how Steam continues to navigate its success while competitors like Xbox and PlayStation grapple with their respective hurdles.
Source: https://inet.detik.com/games-news/d-8573144/saat-xbox-dan-playstation-lesu-steam-malah-catat-rekor-baru
