Valve, the popular gaming company, has recently released their highly anticipated “Best of 2023” lists on Steam. These lists are compiled based on various factors such as revenue, peak concurrent players, and more. While these lists are separate from the ongoing Steam Awards voting, they provide an interesting insight into the gaming landscape of the past year. Surprisingly, older games and indie titles often outperform expectations, making the lists a must-see for gamers and industry enthusiasts alike.
Unlike the Steam Awards, which rely solely on user voting, the “Best of 2023” lists utilize revenue as a key metric for determining game rankings. In order to categorize the games, Valve has divided them into platinum, gold, silver, and bronze tiers. However, it’s important to note that the specific positions within these tiers are randomized, making it impossible to definitively know which game generated more revenue. For instance, both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 are included in the prestigious platinum tier, cementing their positions among the top twelve highest-grossing games on Steam.
Among the esteemed titles, there are some unexpected gems that have made their mark on the “Best of 2023” lists. One such example is the deep-sea sushi scavenger game, Dave The Diver, placed in the humble bronze tier, alongside acclaimed titles such as Lies Of P, Atomic Heart, RimWorld, Terraria, Stardew Valley, and Sekiro, which was originally released in 2019. These unexpected inclusions highlight the diverse range of games that players continued to enjoy and support throughout the year.
Interestingly, one noteworthy title, The Finals, does not initially appear on the top 100 games list. However, upon applying the filter for games released specifically in 2023, it emerges in the highly regarded gold tier. This revelation showcases the impact of recent releases and how they can rise to prominence within a short span of time.
In addition to the main rankings, Valve has provided additional filters that enable users to view specific categories of games. These categories include early access, VR, and Steam Deck games. Each category has its own unique set of data used for ranking, ensuring that the lists cater to different interests within the gaming community. For those interested in the specific methodologies and caveats associated with each category, Valve has included detailed information at the bottom of each page for transparency.
While it may be tempting for some to cross-reference the “Best of 2023” lists with publicly available financial information to estimate the revenue generated by the platinum games, it is essential to remember that these lists are intended to celebrate and recognize successful titles rather than focus solely on financial outcomes. Nonetheless, the “Best of 2023” lists offer a comprehensive overview of the gaming landscape on Steam and provide a valuable resource for gamers looking to explore new and popular titles.
Valve’s “Best of 2023” lists on Steam provide a fascinating glimpse into the gaming industry’s highlights of the year. These lists, based on revenue, peak concurrent players, and more, showcase the success of both established and lesser-known games. Whether you’re a devoted gamer or an industry enthusiast, these lists offer ample opportunities to discover the best games that captivated players in 2023.
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