Valve has added achievement sets to the Steam client beta, a change that lets developers group achievements and keep DLC and seasonal achievements separate from a game’s base list, according to Valve’s official Steam client beta announcement.
The update also redesigns the achievements page and adds side-by-side comparisons with friends. The system is currently limited to the Steam Client Beta.
Developers can create sets tailored to a game, for example for mastering a specific character class or finishing a singleplayer campaign. Sets also mark which achievements belong to the base game and which belong to separate DLC or seasonal content.
What Changes for Steam Achievement Completion
Under the old system, a game with every achievement unlocked showed 100% in the achievements list. When a developer released DLC with new achievements, that figure dropped, even for players who never planned to buy or play the expansion. With sets, DLC achievements no longer pull down the base game’s completion percentage, as long as the developer uses the new system.
Seasonal content works the same way. Valve’s example is a set called “Halloween Event Achievements” that is valid for a limited period and does not affect the base game’s achievement count. Players who skip a season keep their base game stats intact, which also fits games with battle passes.
The redesigned achievements page now shows most information on a single screen, including overall completion progress and progress toward individual achievements.
Players can also compare achievements with up to three friends at once. Separate DLC trophy lists and friend comparisons have been available on PlayStation consoles for some time.
Games That Support Steam Achievement Sets
Not every Steam game uses achievement sets yet. The following titles already support them:
- Against the Storm, Age of Wonders 4, and 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
Players who want achievement sets now have to sign up for the Steam Client Beta in the Steam client. Everyone else can wait for the stable release, which does not require any action.
Completionists who track 100% runs should check whether their games appear in the supported list before relying on the new percentages, because titles without sets still count DLC achievements toward the base total.
Beta features can still change before release. Steam client betas such as the recent screensaver feature have usually lasted around a month before reaching the stable client.
Valve has not announced a date for the stable release, and support in individual games depends on developers adopting achievement sets.
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