Arc Raiders Tops Steam Holiday Sales: A Look at the 2026 Revenue Chart

So, I was just browsing through the latest gaming news, and guess what I found? Arc Raiders absolutely crushed it on Steam over the 2026 holiday season! According to the data from SteamDB, which tracks everything on the platform, this futuristic co-op shooter was the top-selling game by revenue from December 23rd to the 30th. That's a massive win for the developers, especially during such a competitive period. It's always fascinating to see which games capture the players' attention and wallets when everyone's got some free time.

The SteamDB chart, which focuses on premium game revenue, paints a clear picture of what was hot. Right behind Arc Raiders, we have some absolute giants. The runner-up wasn't even a game—it was the Steam Deck hardware! This makes total sense when you think about it; the chart is sorted by revenue, and those Decks aren't cheap. It shows people were still investing heavily in their PC gaming setups for the holidays.

Let's break down that top 10 list from SteamDB. It's a real mix of new blockbusters and enduring favorites:

1. Arc Raiders 🥇 - The holiday champion!

2. Steam Deck - The hardware powerhouse.

3. Battlefield 6 - A classic franchise holding strong.

4. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - A stylish new RPG making waves.

5. Baldur's Gate 3 - Still going incredibly strong years later!

6. EA Sports FC 26 - The yearly sports titan.

7. Dispatch - Another newer title breaking into the ranks.

8. Cyberpunk 2077 - Its redemption arc continues to pay off.

9. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 - For the hardcore RPG fans.

10. Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced - Yes, it's still here. A true evergreen.

Now, here's a crucial point they made: this list is for premium, paid games only. It doesn't include free-to-play titles. If it did, the chart would look wildly different. Can you imagine? Games like Counter-Strike 2 would have shot straight to the number one spot, no contest. Its in-game economy is a revenue monster. Where Winds Meet, that beautiful open-world Wuxia game, would have comfortably slid into fifth place. And even Apex Legends would have just barely cracked the top ten, landing at ninth. It really puts the success of Arc Raiders into perspective—it beat out all other paid games in a marketplace flooded with free options.

Thinking about Arc Raiders' success, it's not that surprising when you look at the trends. Players in 2026 are really gravitating towards polished, team-based PvE experiences. The game's slick visuals, intense robot-smashing action, and focus on squad play seem to have hit the right note. Beating out a heavyweight like Battlefield 6 for the top spot is no small feat and speaks volumes about its launch quality and player reception. It feels like a win for mid-tier AA projects with a clear vision.

Meanwhile, looking at the rest of the list tells its own story. The staying power of some games is just insane. Baldur's Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 are prime examples of games that have built such strong, enduring communities through updates and expansions. And Grand Theft Auto V... well, at this point, it's a permanent fixture in any sales chart. It's a law of the universe. The presence of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is also awesome—it shows there's still a huge appetite for deep, immersive, and challenging single-player experiences.

It's also cool to see new IPs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch holding their own against these established franchises. The holiday season in 2026 wasn't just about the usual suspects; players were clearly willing to take chances on fresh ideas and worlds. The gaming landscape feels really healthy when there's this much variety in the top sellers.

If you're as curious as I am, SteamDB has the full top 100 list on their site. It's always fun to scroll through and see which hidden gems or older classics managed to sneak in. Lists like these are more than just bragging rights; they're a snapshot of what the PC gaming community is loving at a specific moment in time. For Arc Raiders, that moment was the end of 2026, and they absolutely owned it. It'll be interesting to see if they can maintain that momentum into the new year or if another contender will rise to take the crown. What do you think was the biggest surprise on this list for you? Let me know!