Steam adds new notifications for sale prices and discounts on games, saving buyers money

While Steam has its critics, the marketplace is often viewed as more buyer-oriented than its rivals. Valve has added a capability that should make purchasing games more affordable. ShiraNamiNani on Reddit explained how buyers are now notified when a Steam sale price on a bundle offers a higher discount.

In the example shared on the Steam subreddit, the gamer added Unrailed 2: Back on Track to their cart. However, the co-op railroad builder was available for a lower price in the Unrailed Collection bundle. The marketplace linked ShiraNamiNani to the offer before completing checkout.

When a gamer already owns a title in a Steam bundle, the system will deduct the cost of that game from the total. In some cases, purchases are cheaper than buying a title individually. As a result, shoppers can often preserve funds to use toward other items on their wishlists.

The new Steam feature only applies to bundles

There has been some confusion with the newly added perk. Packages differ from bundles since Steam games remain at a set price. Even if buyers have a selection in their library, they won’t see the reduced sale price. Nevertheless, considering there are over 100,000 games listed, the change makes finding the best deal easier.

Valve has earned the loyalty of fans who appreciate its community-driven approach. An unrestricted review and rating system lets buyers know what fellow gamers think of a new release. Forums offer more insight into the performance of games and the concerns of players. With less than two hours of playtime, gamers can also rely on a return policy within two weeks of the purchase date.

The marketplace’s social features can raise concerns about a lack of oversight. In some cases, forum mods have been accused of censorship or allowing abusive behavior. Even so, most gamers prefer the freedom Steam offers over alternatives like the Epic Games Store.