The best games on Steam keep getting cheaper

It seems like everywhere you look in the gaming industry, things are getting more and more expensive. I remember a time when consoles would decline as they got older, but now you have Microsoft eyeing a potential third price increase for the Xbox Series X in less than 12 months. When you consider this, it makes sense that gamers will start looking at cheaper alternatives to keep their favorite hobby alive.

This could potentially be why we are starting to see a trend of interest when it comes to the prices of top selling games on Steam. A new research analysis newsletter from The GameDiscoverCo (courtesy of GamesRadar) examines the first month sales of the top 50 new non-free-to-play Steam releases since February 2023, revealing that the average price of a bestseller on Steam has remained relatively stable, dropping just 2 percent in the meantime.

The best games on Steam keep getting cheaper

However, the median price gives us a more interesting trend. According to this research, the median price of the bestseller list on Steam dropped by a pretty massive 20 percent over the same time period. This could mean a few things, but the most important thing is that it's pretty solid evidence that there has been a “significant increase in cheaper titles” on Steam over the past few years.

Spongebob opens his wallet with Hornet from Hollow Knight: Silksong in the background.

I actually can't believe how cheap Hollow Knight: Silksong is going to be

Gamers would gladly pay more for the most anticipated game of the year.

It's not too surprising if you really think about all the games that have really taken off in the last few years. This year alone, we've seen Hollow Knight: Silksong pop up for just $20, while the father of the “friendslop” genre, Peak, cost just over £6. Content Warning, Rusty's Retirement and Buckshot Roulette were all identified in the report as massive contributors to the results, all launching in March 2024 at less than $10.

The report also points out that these cheaper titles are often peppered with massive $60-$70 blockbusters that have brand power, and that almost everything between $20-$50 is in an awkward position, with a few exceptions like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. It also claims that indie developers can often have more trouble charging their games for more than $2. titles like Peak that have already offered unforgettable experiences.

It's an interesting little look at recent price trends and how the rising cost of living has probably affected our gaming spending habits. It also shows how well the gaming industry can adapt to the test, and that if more companies want to find success with their games, maybe they should start by lowering the prices they charge.