Valve has recently unveiled its “Best Of 2023” lists on Steam, providing a fascinating insight into the gaming industry. Unlike the ongoing Steam Awards, these lists are curated using Steam data such as revenue and peak concurrent players. What makes this annual compilation so captivating is the unexpected success of older games and indie obscurities, surpassing our initial expectations.
Steam categorizes games based on revenue into distinct buckets: platinum, gold, silver, and bronze. Notably, the positioning within these categories is purely randomized, making it impossible to determine which games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Cyberpunk 2077 generated more revenue in 2023. However, both games find themselves in the prestigious Platinum bucket, solidifying their status among the top twelve highest-grossing games on Steam.
As we delve further into the rankings, intriguing discoveries await. Deep sea sushi scavenger Dave The Diver surprises us by appearing in the bronze tier. Joining this tier are other captivating titles such as Lies Of P, Atomic Heart, the timeless RimWorld, Terraria, Stardew Valley, and the critically acclaimed Sekiro from 2019. The Finals, on the other hand, fails to make an appearance in the top 100 list unless we apply a filter for games exclusively released in 2023, where it secures a spot in the gold tier.
Within these rankings, highlights are aplenty. Goose Goose Duck, a seemingly obscure game, defies all odds by registering over 300,000 concurrent players, placing it in an elite group of only 11 games. These remarkable accomplishments by lesser-known titles demonstrate the versatile and unpredictable nature of the gaming industry.
Steam offers the ability to explore specific categories, such as early access, VR, or Steam Deck games. Each category comes with its own unique set of caveats regarding the data used, providing a comprehensive and transparent experience for users. These caveats can be found at the bottom of each page, offering an in-depth understanding of the ranking criteria.
Avoiding Financial Speculation
While the listings offer a tantalizing glimpse into the gaming revenue landscape, it is important to note that publicly available financial information cannot accurately predict the exact revenue generated by a “platinum” game. Although one could potentially cross-reference the data with financial sources, it is crucial to approach such speculations with caution. Instead, let us appreciate these rankings as a celebration of the industry’s accomplishments.
Valve’s “Best Of 2023” lists are readily available on the Steam website. Take a moment to immerse yourself in the diverse and unexpected successes of older games and indie gems. Join the gaming community in celebrating the outstanding achievements showcased in these rankings, reminding us of the vibrant and ever-evolving nature of the gaming landscape.
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