Are the games that go on sale random? or does steam pick which ones go on sale?

[Lumpia.]

Also when is the next big sale?

[vycyous]

I don't know any of this to be fact, but I believe the publisher of a game on Steam has to allow their game to be sold at a discount and they also get to choose that discount. The next big sale might be this Fall, but since there wasn't a Spring sale, it's hard to say.

[Kargor]

Yeah, the first step for a game to go on sale is for the publisher to want it on sale.

I guess they can also set WHEN it goes on sale, although I can imagine that Steam tries to spread sales -- like having just one daily sale, or just one game on a free weekend.

Also, on other shops. and maybe even on Steam, I can imagine that the shop itself might approach publishers to find out whether they might be interested in a themed sale or something like that. Unless we're talking soccer worldcup, halloween or christmas, "random" themed sales are probably unlikely to occur just by a bunch of publishers suddenly wanting similar games on sale at the same time. Things like summer sales are probably announced long before they happen, so publishers can decide whether they want to participate, and in how.

So it's probably not JUST the publishers setting up sales. The shops are probably trying to get something on the way too.

[Lumpia.]

Oh very informative! Thank you :)

[sara_bear]

There will (well there has been for a few years now at least) a fall sale. It's sortly unoffical sale, no cards or games for it. Look around Oct. And yes a lot of the games will be horror types.

[Lumpia.]

I was thinking if the game called "Arma 3" will go on sale

[✘GreedoShotFirst✘]

Originally posted by Rεƒlex:

I was thinking if the game called "Arma 3" will go on sale

Well it seems likely to go on sale again as it had quite a nice discount during the Summer Sale. :)

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by ↑RiseOfTheReBOOT↑:

Originally posted by Rεƒlex:

I was thinking if the game called "Arma 3" will go on sale

Well it seems likely to go on sale again as it had quite a nice discount during the Summer Sale. :)

I sure hope so cuz i really wanna play it!

[✘GreedoShotFirst✘]

Make sure you add it to your 'Wishlist' by viewing the storepage and clicking the button. You'll typically get an email whenver the game goes on discount.

[Lumpia.]

Originally posted by ↑RiseOfTheReBOOT↑:

Make sure you add it to your 'Wishlist' by viewing the storepage and clicking the button. You'll typically get an email whenver the game goes on discount. :tlove:

gotchaa

[HLCinSC]

If they want to be part of the daily sale, the publishers submit their games for sales and for what price. Steam will then schedule daily sales from what they were offered. Publishers can still put their games on sale at any time but it won't neccesarily be advertised on the main store page.

They do not publish sale dates ahead of time as it would hurt business. Last year there was a Spring sale (just indie titles) in March, Summer Sale (most titles) in July, Halloween sale (horror titles), Autumn sale (don't remember) around Thanksgiving, and the Winter sale around Christmas.

Lastly, you have the constant sales as well. The daily title sale (posted at 1 p.m. est lasting 48 hours), Mid-week madness sales (I think tue-thr @1 p.m.)), Weekend sales (thurs-monday @ 1 p.m.), Week long sales (Monday 1 p.m.-next monday @1 p.m.). Also publishers are free to make sales at any point they wish ( I believe the minnimum length is 48 hours though it could be 24).

There can also be limited time trials of part/full games and very rarely a game may be given away for a short period of time to keep forever if you start downloading it within that time window.