Steam achievements are getting a huge overhaul, with separate sets for DLC and season passes, and an easy way to compare with friends
Valve has introduced a major update to Steam’s achievement system, currently in beta with expected wider rollout in approximately one month. The overhaul allows game developers to create customized achievement sets tailored to their specific games, such as sets for mastering individual character classes or completing campaign modes.
A central feature of the update is the ability to organize achievements into separate sets, clearly distinguishing base game achievements from downloadable content and seasonal content. This addresses a longstanding pain point for players: previously, when games received DLC with additional achievements, players’ completion percentages would drop from 100% despite having already earned all original achievements—a frustrating consequence that could affect dozens of games over time.
The new system allows players to maintain their base game completion status independently of subsequent content additions, providing a clearer and more satisfying progression experience. The update also introduces improved tools for comparing achievements with friends, enhancing the competitive and social aspects of achievement hunting on Steam’s platform.
The changes represent a significant quality-of-life improvement for both players seeking clearer achievement tracking and developers looking to add post-launch content without penalizing players’ completion statistics. With the feature currently in beta testing, Valve anticipates bringing these improvements to the wider user base within the coming month.