Shocking Steam Data: 5,000 Games Failed to Earn $100
Research Shows Over 5,000 Games Underperform on Steam
Startling new research highlights the tough reality for many game developers on Steam. The estimates show that over 5,000 games released this year failed to make back the initial $100 submission fee. This cost is known as the Steam Direct product submission fee.
This estimation comes from the data tracker Gamalytic. It underscores the overwhelming volume of content released on the popular PC gaming storefront. The data reviewed nearly 13,000 game launches since January 1, 2025. A vast majority of these titles go largely unnoticed by consumers.
The Stark Reality of the Steam Marketplace
The $100 Steam Direct fee is usually recouped. This happens once a game reaches $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue. The fee acts as a minor barrier to entry. However, the sheer number of games failing to even make $100 is concerning. It points to a massive volume of unplayed or overlooked releases.
The publicly available data for 2025 is sobering. It claims that 8,388 releases, or 65.9%, earned under $1,000 in revenue. Almost half of all releases, 47.4%, are estimated to have sold fewer than 100 copies. Another 28% are estimated to have sold between 100 and 1,000 copies.
Few Releases Achieve Financial Success
The data reveals a stark contrast in financial performance. Only 8% of the releases are estimated to have grossed over $100,000. Therefore, a very small percentage of games capture most of the revenue. The vast majority of titles struggle for visibility.
One researcher cited Gamalytic aggregates. This research suggests that 40% of the releases did not see a return on their $100 release cost. However, this calculation does not account for free-to-play games. These games have no internal monetization or supporting DLC.
Open Culture and Developer Challenges
The high volume of releases is a fascinating side effect. It comes from the PC gaming scene’s open developer culture. Many creators release “hobbyist games” on Steam. They do this purely for fun, without serious business expectations.
Nonetheless, the volume of low-selling games tells a deeper story. It speaks to the masses of largely ignored games on Steam. Indie developers in Asia and worldwide face major challenges. They must stand out in an extremely crowded digital marketplace. The ability to market and gain visibility is often more critical than the game’s quality itself.
 Origin: gamesradar
