Home Gaming Nearly 60 million games sold on Steam in August

Nearly 60 million games sold on Steam in August

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We’ve told you many, many times before that the sales data that comes through (primarily for console games) showing which the best-selling ones were, generally only paint half a picture. Once you factor in digital distribution, everything changes. And it changes considerably.

We all know that Steam is still the de-facto digital distribution platform when it comes to the PC, and its dominance is telling. According to the newest data from the perpetually useful Steam Spy, nearly 60 million copies of games were sold through Valve’s digital storefront.

Here’s a list of the most purchased games on the service during August – or at least the ones that changed ownership status most (excluding games that were free), compiled by neoGAF user Knurek.

  1. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (867,471, LTD: 15,920,443, price $14.99, lowest price $7.49)
  2. Rocket League (577,677, LTD: 1,157,139, price $19.99, lowest price $17.99)
  3. Garry’s Mod (325,638, LTD: 9,601,519, price $9.99, lowest price $2.49)
  4. Left 4 Dead 2 (300,937, LTD: 12,842,893, price $19.99, lowest price $4.99)
  5. Race The Sun (227,860, LTD: 786,408, price $9.99, lowest price $5.99)
  6. Sid Meier’s Civilization V (209,231, LTD: 7,839,348, price $29.99, lowest price $7.49)
  7. H1Z1 (200,028, LTD: 1,652,600, price $19.99, lowest price $13.39)
  8. Borderlands 2 (163,603, LTD: 5,467,358, price $19.99, lowest price $4.00)
  9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (152,022, LTD: 9,415,888, price $19.99, lowest price $6.00)
  10. Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead (140,868, LTD: 3,742,419, price $19.99, lowest price $19.18)
  11. Counter-Strike (140,654, LTD: 11,647,723, price $9.99, lowest price $9.99)
  12. Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition (135,499, LTD: 2,094,606, price $19.99, lowest price $4.99)
  13. Terraria (128,794, LTD: 6,490,992, price $9.99, lowest price $2.49)
  14. BioShock Infinite (127,265, LTD: 3,747,472, price $29.99, lowest price $7.49)
  15. BioShock 2 (124,869, LTD: 2,552,568, price $19.99, lowest price $3.99)

What makes it interesting is that of these top fifteen games, very few of them are what you’d call AAA retail games. Yes, August was a bit of a slow month in that regard – but even looking over the same stats for April, May, June and July, it’s easy to come to the general conclusion that the AAA market isn’t the biggest driver when it comes to game sales. The average sale price for these games was $10.77; far removed from the $60 publishers want you to spend on games. Is it because of Steam sales and cheaper games – or is it because people tired of the big blockbuster?

Either way, it shows that the industry doesn’t entirely run on new games.

Last Updated: September 2, 2015

74 Comments

  1. Brady miaau

    September 2, 2015 at 15:39

    I still cannot get how Civ V is played today still.

    It is not that good. Is it? Cause I cannot help but keep playing. What is it about the game? AND I get bored by about 1500 and stop for a month and then just restart a new map. One of those things I cannot pin point, but Civ V did something right. A lot of some-things.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      September 2, 2015 at 15:44

      Ever single time that game pops up on sale I tell myself: “This time I’m getting it.” And then I don’t. I think part in reason for that, however, is because I know how much time I’ll end up spending on it alone.

      Reply

      • Brady miaau

        September 2, 2015 at 15:53

        Yeah, like not starting to watch that hot new TV show.

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          September 2, 2015 at 15:56

          Haha. Exactly. My wife is a professional binge-watcher of series. Once she discovers an old series that she’s missed and she likes it….she will watch it all in record time.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 2, 2015 at 16:10

            My mother & sister blew through 10 seasons of NCIS over the xmas period when my sister was on leave. I have NO idea how they did that.

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 16:13

            Just
            Wow.

  2. Pieter Kruger

    September 2, 2015 at 15:41

    The indie/mobile gamer generation has come of age for sure!

    Reply

  3. Captain JJ Fantasticus

    September 2, 2015 at 15:43

    Is there anyone who doesn’t own Counter Strike GO yet?
    I think I may have been one of the few who didn’t buy a game. Though I think I did buy a DLC…

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      September 2, 2015 at 15:43

      me. I do not. What is it?

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Fantasticus

        September 2, 2015 at 15:44

        It’s CS Source, but prettier. (the fan boys will kill me for saying that). It’s okay. Not really my thing.

        Reply

    • Jonah Cash

      September 2, 2015 at 15:44

      I also don’t own it.

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief Returns

      September 2, 2015 at 15:44

      I have it, have not played it yet

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Fantasticus

        September 2, 2015 at 15:45

        Except if you’re going to be competitively played it, it’s not going to keep you long. Garry’s mod is where the real fun is in the Counter Strike scene for me.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Returns

          September 3, 2015 at 07:03

          I should get that

          Reply

    • Kromas untamed

      September 2, 2015 at 15:45

      I shall never own that game!

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      September 2, 2015 at 15:52

      I don’t have, or want, it.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Fantasticus

        September 2, 2015 at 15:54

        I bought it because someone recommended it to me. I don’t think I’ve spent many hours on it. Maybe around three. It’s just not my type of game.

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Returns

          September 2, 2015 at 15:55

          Probably becoz you suck noob!

          😛

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:57

            That right there 🙂

        • Lord Chaos

          September 2, 2015 at 16:02

          I have it, use it for 30 minute bouts of random shooting.

          Then back to an actual game

          Reply

    • VampyreSquirrel

      September 2, 2015 at 15:57

      I don’t own it.

      Reply

  4. Admiral Chief Returns

    September 2, 2015 at 15:43

    Anyone up for some survivors vs infected L4D2 this weekend?

    Reply

    • Kromas untamed

      September 2, 2015 at 15:46

      I unfortunately have ARK duties. But feel free to use our TS if you want.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ Fantasticus

        September 2, 2015 at 15:47

        Oh ARK. If only my friends that I always game online with would wake the hell up and get it also.

        Reply

        • Kromas untamed

          September 2, 2015 at 15:48

          You do know that last weekend was a free weekend? 😛

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:49

            Ah man. I didn’t. I’ve had it for a while now, so all I need is for my friends to be enticed enough to buy it as well. Guess I missed my window.
            I’m racking up all my hours on PayDay2 because that’s my go-to for online fun at the moment.

          • Kromas untamed

            September 2, 2015 at 15:51

            Most of our guys are either busy with BF4,ARK or Rust. And a select few who pre-ordered are busy screwing around in Starcraft Beta.

            Edit oh and we are testing out the new DayZ patch.

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:53

            Rust is also a good one. We used to play The Forest a lot, but there’s not THAT much to do. 7 Days to Die is fun, but once you’ve built the tallest tower imaginable it also becomes boring ;P

          • Kromas untamed

            September 2, 2015 at 15:55

            Yeah we actually shut down our 7 days and Rust servers. Both games have a limited playtime before it gets hella boring specially rust since there is no pve.

            Thats why I love ARK. Quietly sniping some peeps and an Alpha rex comes out from nowhere to ruin your day.

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:58

            I’ll still convince my friends, even if it’s the last thing that I do!
            #overdramaticmuch

          • Hammersteyn

            September 2, 2015 at 15:56

            Read it as BF4ARK, BFAARK O_o

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:58

            “Jis bru, I was BFAARK when that guy cut me off in traffic.”

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 2, 2015 at 15:58

            Don’t blame you, what I think of people who play those survival type games sounds a lot like BFAARK. 😉

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 15:59

            Now you’re just looking for BKAAK

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 2, 2015 at 16:00

            Don’t get all APKAAK

          • Hammersteyn

            September 2, 2015 at 16:01

            Julle ouens gaan AFHAAK

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            September 2, 2015 at 16:02

            HAI!

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 16:03

            BF(HAI!)K

  5. Jonah Cash

    September 2, 2015 at 15:44

    I bought nothing in August! Not on any platform. PC gamers know that the price will go down and when they say special it really means special. Not like the special price on console that is just R100 less than the original price…

    Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      September 2, 2015 at 15:47

      Which is probably still more expensive than the pc version? It sucks man. I’ve been wanting to get Diablo 3 on PS, but then I usually end up buying six games on Steam instead.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        September 2, 2015 at 15:56

        It is still more expensive in almost all cases.

        Reply

      • Lord Chaos

        September 2, 2015 at 16:03

        Get it on PC. Join me in Season 4

        Reply

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          September 2, 2015 at 16:05

          BT probably has it, will have to have a look. I haven’t been to a physical store in a while, what if I can’t find my way out again?! 😉

          Reply

          • Lord Chaos

            September 2, 2015 at 16:07

            You’ll find your way out, you just won’t notice under the mountain of physical copies

        • Mossel

          September 2, 2015 at 16:50

          Funny story, I was about to play HotS this morning and upon clicking play, I realised I clicked play on Diablo 3. Season 4 is actually pretty legit. Ended up playing half of act 1!

          Reply

          • Lord Chaos

            September 2, 2015 at 16:54

            Yea… I… ummm…. I’m kinda on Paragon 312 already…

          • Mossel

            September 2, 2015 at 16:56

            hahaha! Well I only saw it this morning and I started a new Hero. Also I actually wanted to play something else, so the fact that I didnt just quit immediately is actually something.

          • Lord Chaos

            September 2, 2015 at 18:10

            I’m playing seasons, where you are forced to start from scratch.
            Normal mode I’m almost at 600

          • Mossel

            September 3, 2015 at 07:06

            Holy crap! haha! Till when does season 4 last? would love to at least max out my new hero.

          • Lord Chaos

            September 3, 2015 at 15:40

            Should go on till end of November

      • Mossel

        September 2, 2015 at 16:48

        Six games and more RAM!

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      September 2, 2015 at 15:56

      Me neither XD

      Reply

  6. Kromas untamed

    September 2, 2015 at 15:52

    Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead

    Read that as DayZ Mod

    Reply

  7. Jac7

    September 2, 2015 at 15:54

    Bethesda must be swimming in gold. Skyrim is still selling like sweetrolls.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      September 2, 2015 at 15:55

      I hope it outsells TESO at least 10 times over.

      Reply

      • Jac7

        September 2, 2015 at 15:58

        Never bothered to invest in TESO. Any good? By your comment I can only assume that it’s not.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          September 2, 2015 at 16:00

          Never played it no. Not planning to either. Reviews are pretty good for this game but it had massive issues at the start and most people want a SP game not a MMO I think.

          Reply

          • Captain JJ Fantasticus

            September 2, 2015 at 16:02

            I put around 20+ hours into it. It’s a slap in Morrorwind, Oblivion and Skyrim’s faces.

          • Hammersteyn

            September 2, 2015 at 16:03

            That’s three slaps O_o

          • Lord Chaos

            September 2, 2015 at 16:30

            More like this:

          • Jac7

            September 2, 2015 at 16:24

            Then this is one slap I refuse to support.

        • Captain JJ Fantasticus

          September 2, 2015 at 16:01

          It’s not.
          If you want it because you like MMOs – it’s a fairly decent MMO, but if you want it because you like Elder Scrolls – it’s a terrible Elder Scrolls. The worst Elder Scrolls, in fact.

          Reply

  8. Alien Emperor Trevor

    September 2, 2015 at 15:56

    Race The Sun was free last month if I remember right.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      September 2, 2015 at 16:15

      Month before. It was brought up in the gaf thread, and double checked.

      Reply

    • Captain JJ Fantasticus

      September 2, 2015 at 16:16

      I have no idea what it’s about

      Reply

  9. VampyreSquirrel

    September 2, 2015 at 16:02

    I think my purchase of Rocket League fell under August… Haven’t bought anything else since that.

    Reply

  10. Mossel

    September 2, 2015 at 16:47

    It’s because people like multiplayer games. I think Skyrim is the only game in that top 10 that is strictly single player.

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      September 2, 2015 at 16:48

      Civ V, surely. Turns as slow. Sloooooooooowwww

      Reply

      • Mossel

        September 2, 2015 at 16:52

        Civ V has multiplayer. Whether people use it I don’t know. I never have. I mean a SP game lasts like 10 hours. How long would MP last?!

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          September 2, 2015 at 16:53

          I do not want to find out. Just imagine. Crap. Never ever tried.

          Reply

          • Mossel

            September 2, 2015 at 16:55

            haha! In their defense, as I understand it all the players make their moves concurrently. So you don’t have to wait. Because I can take quite long pondering on all the outcomes!

  11. Ryanza

    September 2, 2015 at 17:02

    As I always said, DRM games are not worth the full price. If you must buy a DRM game, no more than $5 should you spend on DRM shit.

    60 million games sold but only for $5 each, not full price. Because ain’t worth shit. DRM is worth $0 and you better believe that.

    Don’t Support DRM. In other words, stop throwing your money into the toilet. Cyberpunk 2077 is coming

    Reply

    • R1ker

      September 2, 2015 at 17:14

      I know you feel very strong against DRM. But I don’t think it is going to go away anytime soon. Of all these evil DRM software kak that is out there Steam is actually not to bad. Don’t get me wrong – I hated it in the beginning. To put it in perspective half live 2 actually cost me about R1100 extra because I had to download the rest of the game with my mobile data – in a time when we payed for data by Kb and not Mb 🙁 But in today’s age where most pc gamers have ADSL anyway (I think), it is actually a decent tool.

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        September 2, 2015 at 17:26

        Good efficient worthless shit is still shit. Buying DRM games is worthless. The moment you buy that DRM game, that valued product is gone. Like $0 worth.

        So you can speak about how good Steam is and how everyone has adsl, that fantasy world, where DRM stops pirates. But the underlining fact is that DRM games are worthless. It is worth nothing.

        Don’t Support DRM. The more people who stop supporting DRM, the faster it will go away. But look a new Call of Duty game.

        Reply

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