A major overhaul to the Steam achievement system has just rolled out, introducing new ways for players to track their progress and earn recognition for completing games. The latest update to Steam addresses several longstanding frustrations with PC achievement hunting while introducing features similar to those already available on Xbox and PlayStation.
Since 2007, achievements have been a significant part of the Steam user experience, giving players additional challenges to pursue beyond simply finishing a game. However, Valve’s system has historically lacked some of the conveniences offered by its console competitors, particularly when it comes to tracking downloadable content. Unlike PlayStation, which separates base-game trophies from DLC, Steam has traditionally combined everything into a single list. This means that players who earned 100% completion could suddenly lose that status when a developer introduces new achievements, sometimes even years after the game’s release. For dedicated completionists, keeping a perfect Steam library has consequently become an increasingly difficult task.
Steam Achievement Sets Let Players Keep 100% Completion After New DLC
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Image via Valve -
Image via Valve -
Image via Valve
In a new Steam update, Valve has introduced Steam Achievement Sets, now available to all users after a beta that began on October 15. The system lets developers organize achievements into separate categories, such as single-player campaigns, multiplayer modes, and downloadable content, each with its own progress bar. Completing every achievement in a set also awards a special trophy that appears on the player’s Steam profile. More importantly, completed sets retain their status when developers introduce additional achievements, so players no longer have to worry about losing previous game completions when new content is released. DLC achievements can also be tracked separately and won’t count against players who don’t own the additional content.
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The November 11 update also introduces several other improvements, including the ability for developers to archive achievements that are no longer obtainable, which should be helpful for older games with discontinued multiplayer modes or limited-time events. As such, archived achievements will no longer prevent players from completing a game. Valve has also redesigned Steam’s achievement page, adding improved filtering, detailed progression tracking, and the ability to compare achievements with up to three friends. Additionally, the existing “Perfect Games” tab has now been renamed “Completed”, while titles such as Portal 2, Team Fortress 2, and Forza Horizon 5 are among the games already supporting Steam Achievement Sets.
Valve’s changes to Steam’s achievements arrive shortly after Microsoft introduced Mythic Achievements for Xbox, which recognize players for completing every original achievement in a game without requiring additional DLC challenges. Meanwhile, PlayStation has offered a similar distinction through Platinum Trophies for years, making Steam’s latest overhaul a significant step toward providing comparable recognition for PC players. However, Valve’s system works somewhat differently, awarding completion trophies for individual achievement sets rather than exclusively for finishing an entire game. This could give developers additional flexibility when creating achievement lists, particularly for games with extensive multiplayer content, expansions, or seasonal updates.
Although the new system addresses several longstanding complaints, player reaction has not been entirely positive. Some Steam users have criticized changes to the interface and completion showcases, while others have raised concerns about how individual achievement sets could affect completion statistics. There is also an important limitation in which developers must implement Achievement Sets themselves, meaning the improvements won’t automatically apply to every game on Steam. Valve says it will continue refining the system based on community feedback, and more developers are expected to adopt the feature over time. For now, the update represents a meaningful improvement for achievement hunters, particularly those who want their completed games to stay completed.
