In a surprising industry shift, 40% of Steam's top-performing games in 2025 are indie or small-scale AA titles. The platform has consistently supported independent developers, hosting 8,588 games from small studios in 2024 alone.

The first half of 2025 has already seen 4,600 indie game releases on Steam. Maintaining this trajectory would make 2025 the most successful year yet for independent creators. Current data indicates these smaller titles may soon surpass AAA games in popularity on Valve's platform.

Industry reports reveal that eight out of Steam's top 20 games this year originate from independent or small development teams. Notable performers include:

• Schedule 1 (459,798 peak players)
• R.E.P.O. (271,571 peak players)
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (256,206 peak players)
• Bongo Cat (194,508 peak players)

These titles, developed by solo creators or small teams, are competing successfully against major 2025 AAA releases such as Monster Hunter Wilds and Stellar Blade.

Latest Game Information

Indie Games Generate Nearly Half of Steam's Revenue

Market analysis shows indie games accounted for 48% of Steam's 2024 revenue, generating $4 billion in sales (excluding microtransactions). Interestingly, AAA and AA titles comprised just 1% of Steam's 2024 releases, with indies making up the remaining 99%.

Steam's 2025 Indie Game Standouts

Schedule 1 has reportedly sold eight million copies, earning approximately $125 million, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has set new quality standards for AA games, potentially contending for Game of the Year honors.

Steam's wishlist data further confirms this trend, with Hollow Knight: Silksong leading the most anticipated titles, followed by AA game Subnautica 2. Numerous other indie projects populate the list, signaling a potential decline in AAA dominance on the platform.