Steam closed out 2025 with its strongest December on record, underlining just how significant the holiday window remains for PC gaming. With more than 100 million active players across the month, Valve's storefront generated an estimated $1.6 billion in gross revenue, marking a 22.7% increase year over year. The figure also surpassed Steam's previous December high from 2020, when pandemic conditions drove exceptional engagement.
The Steam Winter Sale once again played a central role, combining deep discounts with a period when players typically have more free time to commit to new games. This mix helped a wide range of titles move substantial numbers of copies in a short time, from new releases to long-running live games and older catalog staples.
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ARC Raiders Continues Its Momentum
The standout performer by copies sold during the core holiday period was ARC Raiders. Between December 21 and January 4, the cooperative shooter sold an additional 1.2 million copies on Steam, placing it at the top of the charts for unit sales over those two weeks.
The holidays also coincided with several major milestones for the game. ARC Raiders surpassed 12 million copies sold across all platforms, with 7 million of those sales coming from Steam alone. A 20% discount helped reinvigorate sales that had begun to level off earlier in December, while seasonal engagement gave the game a further boost. On Boxing Day, ARC Raiders sold roughly 250,000 copies in a single day.
Player engagement followed a similar upward trend. The game recorded its highest daily active user count to date, with nearly 3.2 million players logging in across all platforms, more than half of them via Steam. In revenue terms, ARC Raiders ranked second on Steam during the period, bringing in an estimated $32 million, trailing only Counter-Strike 2.
Deep Discounts Bring Older Games Back Into Focus
While new hits drew attention, the Steam Winter Sale once again proved especially effective at revitalizing older releases. Detroit: Become Human ranked just behind ARC Raiders by copies sold, moving an estimated 993,000 units during the two-week holiday window. The narrative-driven title reached its lowest-ever Steam price at $4, down from its standard $40.
That aggressive pricing limited short-term revenue to around $3.2 million, but it pushed Detroit: Become Human past 7 million lifetime copies sold on Steam and helped the game exceed $150 million in total Steam revenue. The sale refreshed interest in the title several years after its PC debut.
Consistent Performers and Long-Tail Success Stories
Several games with established audiences also benefited from the holiday surge. PEAK, the cooperative climbing game, sold an additional 779,000 copies during the period, bringing its total Steam sales past 16 million units. Its continued presence near the top of the charts reflects a pricing strategy that steadily reintroduces the game to new players during major sales.
Icarus followed closely, selling approximately 735,000 copies thanks to its steepest discount yet, dropping from $35 to $3. The survival game has maintained a strong community since launch, and the sale helped it surpass 3.5 million copies sold on Steam. While the United States remains its largest market, the title also performs strongly in regions such as Russia and Brazil. Console versions are scheduled to launch later this quarter, positioning the discount as a lead-in to broader platform growth.
AAA and Indie Titles Share the Spotlight
The holiday rankings highlighted the range of content that thrives on Steam. Battlefield 6 sold an estimated 706,000 copies over the two weeks, supported by a 30% discount that converted undecided wishlisters. While EA's free-to-play experiment REDSEC has yet to make a major impact, the core Battlefield experience continues to carry the release.
R.E.P.O., a cooperative horror title, moved roughly 666,000 copies during the same period, pushing its total sales close to 20 million units. Its recurring appearance in the charts shows how periodic discounts can keep a game visible long after launch.
Slay the Spire rounded out the top performers, selling around 590,000 copies during the holiday window. The deck-building roguelike reached its lowest-ever price at $2, helping it surpass 9 million copies sold on Steam overall. With Slay the Spire II currently in development and expected to enter early access in March, the discount served to expand the player base and renew interest ahead of the sequel.
Why the Holidays Still Matter for Steam
The 2025 holiday season reinforced a familiar pattern. When players have more time and are actively looking for something new to play, pricing becomes a powerful lever. Moderate discounts help newer games maintain momentum, while deep cuts on older titles lower the barrier for players who may have been on the fence for years.
In many cases, these sales are not just about short-term revenue. For games with upcoming sequels, expansions, or console releases, the holidays provide an opportunity to convert passive interest into long-term engagement. As 2025 came to a close, Steam once again showed how timing, pricing, and player availability can align to drive both immediate results and future growth.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was Steam's revenue during December 2025?
Steam generated an estimated $1.6 billion in gross revenue in December 2025, making it the platform's highest-grossing December to date.
Which game sold the most copies on Steam during the holidays?
ARC Raiders sold the most copies on Steam between December 21 and January 4, with approximately 1.2 million units sold during that period.
Did discounts significantly impact Steam sales?
Yes. Deep discounts during the Steam Winter Sale played a major role in driving copy sales, especially for older titles like Detroit: Become Human and Slay the Spire.
How many copies has ARC Raiders sold overall?
ARC Raiders has surpassed 12 million copies sold across all platforms, with 7 million of those sales coming from Steam.
Why are holiday sales important for game publishers?
The holidays combine increased player free time with aggressive discounts, making it easier to convert wishlists into purchases and to expand a game's long-term audience.
