Why Are So Many New PC Games Launching Without Steam?

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Steam is the first place many PC gamers check for new games. However, some major releases are now bypassing Steam completely. Games like Hytale and Arknights Endfield launched without plans to ever be available on Steam, while others, such as the popular game Heartopia, used their own dedicated launchers initially before eventually coming to Steam. With Steam remaining a dominant platform for PC and Steam Deck gamers, why are more developers choosing to use their own launchers instead?

Releasing a game on Steam offers several advantages for developers, especially smaller independent studios. Steam is a well-known and reliable platform for downloading games, which builds trust with players who might be hesitant to use separate, less familiar launchers or download files directly. Plus, Steam has a massive audience, making it easier for players to find your game. However, we’re seeing a growing number of games launch without being available on Steam, at least not right away. I wanted to understand why, and explore the benefits and drawbacks of launching on Steam for game developers – hopefully, this will help you understand it too.

Steam Can Help with Discoverability and Sales, But Not Every Game Needs That

As a gamer, I see so many indie games come out on Steam, and honestly, it makes sense! With so many people already using Steam, it’s a great way for those developers to get noticed. It’s not just about selling the game; Steam’s trending lists and recommendations can actually help people find it. Being part of the Steam world is almost marketing in itself, which is huge for smaller developers trying to reach a wider audience.

Not every game benefits from being on Steam. When Hytale first became available in Early Access, the developers explained why they chose not to release it through Steam. Because Hytale started as a popular spin-off of Minecraft, getting noticed wasn’t a concern. They worried that feedback from players who weren’t part of their core audience could actually be damaging. Steam launches can be flooded with early negative reviews, which can quickly turn the advantage of increased visibility into a disadvantage. This was a key reason why Hypixel Studios initially chose to use its own game launcher.

The situation is much the same with Arknights Endfield, which benefited from the established fanbase of the original Arknights game. This built-in audience is also why popular PC games like Roblox and Minecraft haven’t appeared on Steam despite being around for a long time. These games don’t need help being discovered, and since they already have a large player base within their own systems, adding another seller like Steam might not seem worthwhile. Plus, some companies, like Microsoft (who owns Mojang Studios), prefer to keep players within their own gaming environments. If a game works with a publisher who already distributes games, it might not be released on Steam.

Despite Its Perks, Steam Does Have Downsides

Beyond simply not needing Steam or preferring to keep players within their own game launcher, there are several reasons why a game might not be available on the platform. While it’s common for digital stores to take a percentage of sales, some developers find Steam’s 30% cut to be too high, particularly when compared to alternatives like selling directly through their own website or using other platforms.

There are several reasons why a game might not be released on Steam. Valve, the company behind Steam, has specific content rules and quality standards that developers need to meet, which can be time-consuming. They also now require developers to disclose if their game uses AI-generated content, a rule that’s proven controversial as many players aren’t keen on games made with AI. Finally, Steam prominently displays a game’s average review score, and a rush of early negative reviews can quickly lead to a poor overall rating, potentially discouraging other players.

I think the reason Heartopia wasn’t immediately available on Steam has to do with some performance issues. When it first came out on mobile and their website, the developers said they were still working on making it run well on PCs. It sounds like Valve, the company behind Steam, had higher standards for how the game performed before they’d let it be listed, and XD Network wasn’t quite ready to meet those requirements at the time.

While many PC gamers prefer buying games on Steam, developers sometimes choose not to release their games there. This can be due to factors like Steam’s revenue split, the technical requirements for publishing, and the visibility of negative reviews. Some developers may eventually bring their games to Steam once they can meet Valve’s standards or feel more prepared for player feedback.

Do you usually play PC games on Steam, or do you use other platforms as well? Share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-25 22:14