In 2023, the Steam platform recorded the release of 14,531 video games, increasing to approximately 19,000 in 2024. This exponential growth, observable over the last decade, raises questions about the sustainability of the accelerated pace of releases, especially in a context where artificial intelligence is beginning to play a crucial role in video game development.
No one wants to compete against the king
One of the most notable events in the industry has been the imminent release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, whose impact has caused a series of delays in other titles scheduled for this month of September. So far, several developers have decided to move their release dates, some without providing a specific new date, indicating that the influence of Silksong could be broader than initially thought.
According to data from SteamDB, only 635 video games are expected to be released in September 2025, a notably low figure compared to the 1,564 titles released in August and the peak of 1,817 in March. Historically, the month of September has been a productive period with over 1,000 monthly releases; however, this year is showing a contrary trend.
Statistics indicate that the first week of September had 216 releases, while a significant increase is anticipated for October, with 718 titles projected for that month. This marked contrast has led analysts to go back to March 2020 to find a month with so few releases on Steam, right at the beginning of the pandemic.
Additionally, developers comment that the Silksong phenomenon has led some titles to reconsider their release strategy, becoming a triggering factor in the industry’s calendar. Meanwhile, uncertainty continues regarding how many more titles could be affected as the release date of this highly anticipated game approaches.
