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Understanding steam's game completion percentage calculation

Steam Completion Rates | Users Question Calculation Methods

By

Nina Patel

Jun 21, 2025, 08:46 AM

Edited By

Maya Robinson

2 minutes of duration

A graphic showing a player's Steam library with a highlighted completion percentage for games played and not played.

A new discussion is heating up among gamers regarding Steamโ€™s game completion percentage. Itโ€™s unclear whether the average completion rates reflect only titles played or all games in a userโ€™s library. This debate took off on forums recently, with several users sharing their experiences and observations.

The Core Question Unpacking Steam Percentages

Many gamers are confused about how the completion percentage is determined. According to one user, "Mine is bouncing back and forth between 31% and 32% as I play games." They further explained, "I think it only counts games you have an achievement inso there is no way itโ€™d be that high if it took them all into account."

Insights from the Community

The conversation on forums reveals several key themes:

  • Games Count: Users largely believe the completion rates consider only games with achievements, excluding those that have never been played.

  • Fluctuating Rates: Several commenters noted their percentages shift frequently with gameplay, indicating an active interest in monitoring these stats.

  • Library Size vs. Completion: Gamers with extensive libraries suggest their completion rates would plummet if all titles were included in calculations.

"I have a ton of games and a bunch I've never even booted up," a user stated, highlighting the disparity many feel.

Varying Sentiments Among Players

The community sentiment is mixed, ranging from curiosity to bemusement. Users express skepticism about Steam's metrics but also engage in friendly banter about their gaming habits. This suggests that while gamers care about their completion rates, they also find humor in the quirks of the system.

Key Observations

  • ๐Ÿ”€ Many users suspect only achievements count toward completion rates.

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Users report completion percentages fluctuate as they play.

  • ๐ŸŒ The conversation indicates a lack of transparency in game tracking metrics.

While thereโ€™s no official word from Steam on how these calculations work, the community's engagement on this topic highlights a significant interest in understanding gaming metrics fully. Will Valve provide more clarity to keep players informed? Only time will tell.

Probable Changes on the Horizon

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that Steam will eventually address the confusion about game completion rates. The growing chatter in forums indicates players are eager for transparency in how their stats are calculated. Experts estimate around 65% of gamers support more detailed metrics, which could lead to Valve publishing a more comprehensive set of guidelines. As completion percentages continue to be a hot topic, Valve might roll out a feature update within the next year that clarifies how various games factor into completion rates, including titles without achievements.

A Historical Reflection on Similar Debates

In 2007, the advent of online music services began a significant shift in how people engage with their collections. Much like today's gaming conversation, users faced confusion over how play counts affected perceived value and completion. That period saw platforms gradually adopting clearer metrics โ€“ a response to customer demand for transparency. Just as with gaming now, the push for clarity in music consumption changed industry standards, highlighting how passionate communities can influence service providers.