PC gamers just received an unexpected early gift. The Steam Autumn Sale 2025 launched September 29 at 10 AM PT – two months earlier than usual – delivering the biggest seasonal discount event of the year with over 600 games hitting new historical low prices. Running through October 6, this week-long sale features discounts up to 95% on everything from 2025’s biggest hits like Doom: The Dark Ages and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 to beloved classics that have never been cheaper.
Valve’s decision to move the Autumn Sale from its traditional November timing creates an unprecedented two-month gap before the Winter Sale, giving players more breathing room between major discount events while capitalizing on the post-summer gaming season when wallets have recovered and new releases are hitting their stride.
Why September? Valve’s Strategic Timing Shift
“For the first time ever,” Valve announced, the Steam Autumn Sale is happening in September rather than November. While the company hasn’t officially explained the reasoning, the timing makes strategic sense for multiple reasons. September marks when many of 2025’s biggest releases have had time to mature, console-to-PC ports are hitting their stride, and players have had months to build wishlists after the summer gaming drought.
The early timing also avoids competition with Black Friday sales and gives the Winter Sale more breathing room during the holiday season. With major releases like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, and Monster Hunter Wilds still scheduled for late 2025, the September sale captures the year’s gaming momentum without cannibalizing upcoming launches.
PC Gamer notes that this creates “a much bigger break between the Autumn and Winter Sales,” potentially leading to more distinct discount strategies rather than overlapping promotional periods that could confuse consumers or devalue the sale events.
The Standout Deals That Define This Sale
This year’s featured deals showcase both 2025’s critical darlings and established classics reaching new price floors. **Doom: The Dark Ages** leads the charge at $46.89 on Steam (down from $69.99), with even steeper discounts available through authorized key retailers like Fanatical at $39.89. IGN specifically highlights this as “an absolute tremendous drop” for one of the year’s most acclaimed shooters.
**Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2** delivers perhaps the sale’s most shocking discount at 50% off, bringing the critically acclaimed co-op shooter down to just $29.99 despite launching only a year ago. The game’s continued post-launch support and confirmed second year of content makes this discount particularly attractive for players seeking long-term value.
**Blue Prince**, PC Games N’s personal GOTY frontrunner, receives its first significant 25% discount to $22.49. The roguelike puzzle game has earned widespread critical acclaim for its addictive gameplay loop and surprising narrative depth, making this historical low price an ideal entry point for curious players.
Console-to-PC Port Bonanza
- **Stellar Blade** – First major PC discount since console exclusivity ended
- **Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth** – Square Enix’s latest getting early PC sale treatment
- **Dune: Awakening** – 20% off at $39.99, bringing the ambitious MMO survival game to more accessible pricing
- **Indiana Jones and the Great Circle** – MachineGames’ adventure getting promotional pricing ahead of major DLC
Incredible Deals Under $10
The Autumn Sale’s budget-friendly section proves that great gaming experiences don’t require premium pricing. **Control: Ultimate Edition** stands out at just $4 (down from its usual $39.99), offering Remedy Entertainment’s mind-bending supernatural thriller at an unprecedented price point that makes it essentially mandatory for any PC gamer’s library.
**DOOM Eternal** joins its newer sibling with a massive 90% discount to $3.99, while the original 2016 **DOOM** reboot hits $3.99 with an 80% reduction. These prices make building a complete modern DOOM collection incredibly affordable for newcomers to id Software’s legendary franchise.
Classic open-world adventures receive similar treatment, with **Far Cry 4** dropping to $4.49 (85% off) and **Far Cry Primal** reaching just $2.99 (90% off). **Assassin’s Creed Origins** achieves an remarkable $5.99 price point with its 90% discount, offering hundreds of hours of Egyptian exploration for less than a coffee shop meal.
Best Games Under $5
- **Terraria** – $4.99 (50% off) – The ultimate 2D sandbox adventure
- **The Forest** – $4.99 (75% off) – Survival horror cooperative experience
- **Resident Evil 6** – $4.99 (75% off) – Action-heavy RE experience
- **Sniper Elite 5** – $4.99 (90% off) – WWII stealth sniping perfection
- **Dying Light Essentials Edition** – $4.99 (80% off) – Parkour zombie survival
- **Bloons TD 6** – $4.19 (70% off) – Tower defense excellence
- **Grim Dawn** – $3.74 (85% off) – Isometric action RPG masterpiece
- **SOMA** – $2.99 (90% off) – Psychological horror storytelling pinnacle
Steam Deck Optimization and Compatibility
The sale specifically highlights Steam Deck compatibility across featured titles, acknowledging Valve’s handheld as a major factor in PC gaming purchasing decisions. **World War Z** ($9.89) and **Resident Evil Village** ($9.99) both carry “Steam Deck Verified” status, ensuring optimal portable experiences.
**Valheim** at $9.99 (50% off) offers one of the most compelling Steam Deck experiences available, with its cooperative survival gameplay perfectly suited to handheld sessions. **Hades** ($6.24, 75% off) represents another Deck-verified title that showcases how roguelike gameplay translates beautifully to portable gaming.
Steam is also offering discounts on Steam Deck 256GB LCD units alongside the software sales, creating a comprehensive ecosystem promotion that positions the handheld as both gaming device and gateway to the massive discounted library.
AAA Heavy Hitters at Historical Lows
Major publishers are participating with significant discounts on their most prestigious titles. **The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt** reaches $7.99 (80% off), delivering one of gaming’s most acclaimed RPGs at an entry-level price that removes all barriers to experiencing CD Projekt RED’s masterpiece.
**Marvel’s Midnight Suns** achieves $8.99 with an 85% discount, representing exceptional value for Firaxis Games’ tactical RPG that combines superhero action with deep strategic gameplay. The game’s lukewarm initial reception makes this low price an opportunity for patient gamers to discover what many consider an underappreciated gem.
**It Takes Two** at $9.99 (75% off) offers one of gaming’s best cooperative experiences at a price that makes gifting copies to friends financially painless. Hazelight Studios’ adventure represents exactly the kind of innovative game design that benefits from widespread accessibility through aggressive pricing.
Strategy and Simulation Standouts
- **Stellaris** – $9.99 (75% off) – Paradox’s space empire management masterpiece
- **Old World** – $3.99 (90% off) – Civilization alternative with dynasty mechanics
- **Northgard** – $4.79 (84% off) – Viking-themed RTS with unique seasonal gameplay
- **TEKKEN 7** – $9.99 (75% off) – Premium fighting game experience
Hidden Gems and Indie Discoveries
Beyond AAA blockbusters, the Autumn Sale showcases exceptional independent titles that deserve broader recognition. **Liar’s Bar** at $3.49 (50% off) has gained viral popularity for its unique blend of social deduction and bar atmosphere, creating memorable multiplayer experiences that justify the modest investment.
**theHunter: Call of the Wild** reaches its lowest price ever at $2.59 (87% off), offering an incredibly detailed hunting simulation that provides hundreds of hours of content for less than most mobile game microtransactions. The game’s realistic wildlife behavior and stunning environments create meditative experiences rarely found in other genres.
**Ranch Simulator: Build, Hunt, Farm** ($4.99, 80% off) taps into the growing agricultural simulation trend with cooperative gameplay that lets friends build farming empires together. These types of specialized simulation games often find their audiences through deep discounts that lower the risk of trying niche genres.
Sale Mechanics and Discovery Features
Steam has enhanced the sale experience with updated discovery queues that help players find relevant deals based on their gaming preferences and wishlist items. The discovery queue system generates personalized recommendations while rewarding exploration with trading cards and Steam points.
New stickers and profile customization options are available through the Steam Points Shop, allowing players to commemorate their sale participation and showcase their gaming preferences. These cosmetic additions create additional engagement beyond pure game purchasing.
The sale interface emphasizes filtering by Steam Deck compatibility, price ranges, and user ratings, making it easier for players to find games that match their specific hardware and budget requirements. SteamDB’s historical low tracking shows over 600 games currently achieving new price floors.
What’s Missing and What’s Coming Next
Notable absences from major discounts include some of 2025’s biggest upcoming releases like **Assassin’s Creed Shadows** and **Monster Hunter Wilds**, which remain at pre-order pricing. This suggests publishers are saving deeper discounts for the Winter Sale, when these games will have launched and established their market positions.
The next major Steam event will be Steam Next Fest on October 13-20, featuring hundreds of game demos rather than discounts. Following that, Steam Scream celebrates horror games, Steam Animal Fest honors Animal Day, and the massive Winter Sale runs December 18 through January 5, 2026.
Smart Shopping Strategies
With seven days to explore deals, players should prioritize checking their wishlists first, as many desired games may have reached new historical lows without prominent featuring on the main sale pages. Price comparison tools show that authorized key retailers like Fanatical and Green Man Gaming often beat Steam’s sale prices by additional 10-20%.
The one-week duration provides ample time for research and decision-making, unlike flash sales that pressure immediate purchases. Players can safely wait until the final days to make purchases, as Steam sale prices remain consistent throughout the entire event period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Steam Autumn Sale 2025 end?
The sale runs through October 6, 2025 at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET), giving players exactly one week to explore deals and make purchases.
Why did Steam move the Autumn Sale to September?
While Valve hasn’t officially explained the timing change, it creates more space between seasonal sales and captures the momentum of 2025’s major game releases hitting their stride.
Are there any games with 95% discounts?
Yes, Steam allows discounts up to 95%, with some older titles and indie games reaching these extreme price reductions during major sales events.
Can I get better prices than Steam’s sale prices?
Often yes – authorized key retailers like Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, and Best Buy frequently offer additional discounts on games that still activate on Steam.
How many games have hit new historical low prices?
SteamDB tracking shows over 600 games currently displaying “NEW” lowest price tags, making this one of the most significant discount events of 2025.
Are Steam Deck discounts included in the sale?
Yes, Steam is offering discounts on Steam Deck 256GB LCD units alongside the software discounts, creating a comprehensive hardware-software promotion.
When is the next major Steam sale?
The Winter Sale runs December 18, 2025 through January 5, 2026, with Steam Next Fest (demos), Steam Scream (horror), and Steam Animal Fest happening between now and then.
Conclusion
The Steam Autumn Sale 2025 represents more than just seasonal discounting – it’s a strategic repositioning that maximizes value for both players and publishers while showcasing the platform’s evolution toward handheld gaming and cross-platform accessibility. The September timing creates breathing room between sales events while capturing 2025’s gaming momentum at its peak.
With over 600 games hitting historical low prices and major titles like Space Marine 2 receiving unprecedented 50% discounts just months after launch, this sale rewards patient gamers while creating accessible entry points for newcomers to acclaimed franchises. The emphasis on Steam Deck compatibility and console-to-PC ports reflects Steam’s expanding ecosystem beyond traditional desktop gaming.
Whether you’re seeking AAA blockbusters for under $10, indie discoveries for less than $5, or just want to finally clear your wishlist at maximum discount, the next seven days offer the year’s best opportunity to expand your gaming library without breaking the bank. The autumn leaves may not be falling yet, but the prices certainly are – and at these discounts, every PC gamer’s backlog is about to get significantly larger.