In 2023, Steam was packed with updates across the board, including store and feature enhancements, under-the-hood improvements for developers, the expansion of Steam Deck, and insightful sales and performance data.
Over the weekend, Steam released its annual summary which is a huge recap of tools, features and data from 2023. So what did it include? We’ve put together the highlight, but you can read their full report here.
The user interface overhaul was a highlight, streamlining code across Steam’s Desktop Client, Big Picture mode, and Steam Deck. This allowed for simultaneous improvements across environments, enhancing the notifications menu, in-game overlay, and gamepad configuration. The introduction of the “Pin To Game” feature has been particularly well-received, offering players easy access to game guides and to-do lists while playing.
Significant updates included the launch of a new Big Picture Mode, providing a streamlined experience for navigating Steam with a gamepad, and the start of an open beta test for major enhancements to the shopping cart, including inline gifting and a unified cart across devices. Private Games was another notable addition, allowing users to hide certain games from their Steam friends list.
Curated promotion slots on the Steam store’s front page saw improvements, increasing reach and access, while a major update to Daily Deal self-scheduling was developed in 2023, allowing developers to schedule front-page promotional spots for eligible games based on player numbers and revenue.
On the development side, Steamworks saw numerous updates to support studios in reaching customers and building better products. These included a major revision to the Mature Content Survey, enhancements to traffic data and UTM tracking, and a preview of themed sales and events for easier planning by developers.
Steam Deck experienced a busy year with a significant hardware revision introducing the Steam Deck OLED, which features an improved screen, battery life, and storage capacity. The associated SteamOS update supported HDR and variable refresh rates, among other performance and stability fixes.
In terms of sales and performance, Steam’s seasonal sale events continued to drive significant revenue and gifting, with the platform surpassing 33 million concurrent users for the first time. More than 500 games exceeded $3 million in gross revenue in 2023, a testament to the platform’s growth and the diversity of successful titles.
Steam Playtest engagement saw a 41% increase from the previous year, emphasizing its value, especially for online multiplayer games. Early Access and Steam Next Fest continued to support game development and discovery, showcasing the importance of these features for the gaming community.
As Steam moves forward, its commitment to improving the platform for both developers and players remains clear, with a focus on refining existing tools, introducing new features, and fostering a vibrant ecosystem for PC gaming.
