The American game publisher Valve has updated its pricing policy for the Steam platform, instituting a new floor price of 0.99 USD for any game, add-on, or in-game purchase. This adjustment was announced through official Steam communications from Valve’s team.
The update notes that older, lower-priced titles and downloadable content may become harder to obtain in certain regions, or may not be offered with the same level of discount that existed before. This reflects Valve’s aim to create a consistent minimum price point across the catalog while balancing regional availability and pricing dynamics.
The 1 USD minimum item rule extends beyond sticker prices to apply to the largest possible savings on purchases. Concretely, discounts for games and other items priced between 0.99 USD and 1.98 USD cannot exceed 50% off the base price. This ensures that near-threshold items still maintain a baseline value in the market.
For items priced from 1.99 USD up to 4.98 USD, the maximum discount is capped at 75%. And for products starting at 4.98 USD and above, discounts can reach up to 90% of the base price. This tiered approach aims to standardize consumer expectations while giving developers a predictable framework for promotions.
Additionally, Valve has introduced a stipulation that a game or add-on cannot be purchased if its base price falls below the minimum transaction amount in the user’s local currency. This rule also governs discounts, ensuring that promotions remain aligned with the local purchasing power and currency thresholds.
Valve previously faced criticism as Steam’s pricing strategy was perceived as problematic by some users, with arguments that the store’s discount mechanisms did not always deliver fair value. The new policy seeks to address those concerns by establishing clear minimums and discount limits across the storefront.