Valve has officially kicked off the Steam Winter Sale 2025, offering an extensive array of discounts across its vast PC game library. This annual event features price reductions on both recent releases and classic titles, with discounts ranging from modest cuts to impressive markdowns of 50% or more.
The sale is accessible to all Steam users and will last for just over two weeks, concluding on January 5. This limited timeframe encourages players to seize the opportunity to acquire games at significantly reduced prices.
What’s discounted in this sale
This year’s Winter Sale is particularly noteworthy for its inclusion of numerous titles that debuted in 2025. Many high-profile games are already available at discounted rates, a refreshing change from the norm during seasonal sales. Some standout deals include:
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows at 50% off
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 at 50% off
- Avowed at 50% off
- EA Sports FC 26 at 60% off
- Cyberpunk 2077 at 65% off
Additionally, several titles with smaller yet significant discounts are featured, such as Hades 2, ARC Raiders, Silent Hill f, The Outer Worlds 2, and Battlefield 6. The indie game sector is also well represented, with budget-friendly options like PEAK and R.E.P.O. seeing further reductions on their already low prices.
Why this sale matters
While seasonal sales on Steam are a common occurrence, the Winter Sale is renowned for its extensive selection of discounted titles. This year’s event features an unprecedented number of recent releases, alleviating the wait for price drops on new games. For those who prefer not to purchase games at launch prices, the Winter Sale presents an ideal opportunity to acquire earlier releases at significantly lower costs. This is particularly advantageous for larger games that seldom see discounts outside major sales.
Moreover, the sale extends to downloadable content and expansions, allowing players to enhance their gaming experiences or revisit older titles with new content at a more affordable price.
How Steam sales work
Steam employs a fixed-price model during major sales, meaning prices do not fluctuate dynamically. Users should note that waiting until the final day will not yield deeper discounts. The refund policy remains intact: games can be refunded if played for less than two hours and purchased within the last 14 days, even during the sale.
For those with extensive wishlists, it’s advisable to monitor notifications closely, as Steam highlights discounts only for tracked games. While discovery queues and category browsing can reveal additional deals, the storefront tends to prioritize popular and recently updated titles.
What users can do now
For users planning to make purchases during the sale, consider the following steps:
- Review your Steam wishlist first, as discounts are clearly indicated.
- Check refund eligibility before buying large bundles.
- Compare editions, since deluxe versions are often discounted alongside standard releases.
- Avoid waiting for last-minute deals, as prices will remain unchanged until the sale concludes.
The Winter Sale does not introduce new store mechanics or limited-time flash sales. Once a price is set, it remains stable until the event wraps up. The Steam Winter Sale will continue until January 5, after which prices will revert to their regular levels.
