Featured image: The image shows a computer screen displaying a game interface. AI-generated image; not a photograph of the reported event.
Valve has added achievement sets to the Steam client beta. This update lets developers group achievements by theme or content, like mastering a character class or finishing a campaign.
What Changed in the Steam Achievement System
Before, any new achievement—whether in base or DLC—lowered the base game’s completion score to 100%. This affected players who never planned to buy expansions.
Now, DLC and seasonal achievements are separated from the base list. As long as developers use the new system, base game progress stays unchanged.
How Sets Work in Practice
Valve created a ‘Halloween Event Achievements’ set as an example. It runs only during Halloween and then ends.
Players who skip the event keep their base game progress. This works well for games with battle passes or seasonal content.
Redesigned Achievements Page
The new page shows overall progress and individual achievements on one screen. Players no longer need to switch tabs or pages.
Users can now compare achievements with up to three friends. This helps players track progress and set shared goals.
Games That Already Support Achievement Sets
- Against the Storm
- Age of Wonders 4
- Crusader Kings III
- American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Forza Horizon 5
- DREDGE, Flock Around, and He is Coming
- LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
- Left 4 Dead 2, Portal 2, and Team Fortress 2
- PowerWash Simulator and PowerWash Simulator 2
- Victoria 3
Access and Limitations
Players must join the Steam Client Beta to use achievement sets. The stable version will launch eventually, but no date has been set.
Not all games support sets. Titles without the feature still count DLC achievements toward base completion.
Why This Matters for Players
Players now control their progress. They can skip expansions or events without losing base game achievements.
This update shows Steam’s focus on player choice and transparency in tracking game progress.
For more details, see the original announcement on gHacks.
