Physical PC game purchases from traditional retail outlets have become rare for many gamers. Digital platforms like Steam have largely replaced them. In 2025, Valve's leading service distributed 100 exabytes of content to its audience, equivalent to 100 million terabytes or the capacity of 2 billion dual-layer Blu-ray discs.
According to Valve, this figure marks an increase from the 80 exabytes transferred in 2024. The platform handles an average of 190 terabytes of downloads each minute, a rate that aligns with its record of exceeding 40 million simultaneous users during major title releases. Notably, Steam has maintained strong reliability throughout the year, experiencing only minor disruptions during peak sales events and avoiding any significant service interruptions.
While Steam serves as the primary hub for PC gaming, other platforms are establishing their own strongholds. For instance, Fortnite is exclusively accessible via Epic Games Store, and Roblox boasts 13.7 million current active users, reaching almost 50 million at its highest point in 2025. Roblox has faced accusations of facilitating child exploitation and safety risks. Valve itself is not immune to scrutiny, with New York authorities pursuing legal action against it for allegedly treating loot boxes and unlock keys in titles such as Counter-Strike like an online gambling operation.
Building on its market dominance, Valve introduced the portable Steam Deck device and is authorizing its Linux foundation, SteamOS, for use by manufacturers including Lenovo. The company is also revisiting console-like PC experiences through a renewed Steam Machine initiative and advancing virtual reality via the Steam Frame headset. However, both projects have encountered significant launch challenges stemming from ongoing shortages in RAM components.