Steam Introduces Achievement Sets to Keep DLCs from Breaking 100% Completion Records
Steam has launched Achievement Sets, a new feature in its beta client designed to separate base game and DLC achievements. The update aims to address longstanding frustrations among completionist players by ensuring DLCs no longer affect their 100% completion progress for base games.
Editor, Lazyfounder
30 SEC SUMMARY
- Steam has introduced Achievement Sets, a new feature in its beta client that separates base game and DLC achievements.
- The feature aims to prevent DLCs from affecting players' 100% completion progress for base games.
- Achievements for base games appear in blue, while DLC achievements are displayed in purple.
- Developers must update their games to support Achievement Sets, though some already do.
- The achievements page has been redesigned to better display progress and allow comparisons with friends.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Steam has launched Achievement Sets, a feature in its beta client that separates base game and DLC achievements.
- Base game achievements appear in blue, while DLC achievements are displayed in purple and do not affect overall game completion progress.
- Developers must update their games to support Achievement Sets, though some titles already do.
- The achievements page has been redesigned to show progress bars for each set and allow comparisons with friends.
- Players can earn a "set complete" trophy for finishing all achievements in a collection, even if new achievements are added later.
What Achievement Sets Does
According to Engadget, Steam’s new Achievement Sets feature allows players to separate achievements for base games and DLCs. This means DLC achievements will no longer impact the 100% completion progress of the base game, a common pain point for players who prefer not to purchase or play additional content.
The feature groups achievements into distinct sets, such as single-player, multiplayer, or even seasonal collections. Each set has its own progress bar, and players can earn a "set complete" trophy for finishing all achievements in a collection. Notably, once a set is completed, it will still show as 100% even if the developer adds more achievements later.
How It Works for Players
Achievement Sets is now available in the Steam Client beta. Base game achievements are displayed in blue, while DLC achievements appear in purple, making it easy to distinguish between them. DLC Achievement Sets will not appear in the overall game progress until the player owns the corresponding DLC.
The achievements page has been redesigned to better display these sets and their progress. Players can now compare their progress with up to three friends, including rare achievements and completed sets, adding a social layer to the feature.
What Developers Need to Do
Developers must update their games to support Achievement Sets, though some titles already do. The feature requires specific collections to be defined for achievements, which may involve additional development work. However, the separation of base game and DLC achievements could improve player satisfaction by respecting their completion goals.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
This update reflects Steam’s ongoing effort to refine its platform based on player feedback, particularly from completionists who value clear progress tracking. For developers, it underscores the need to consider how DLCs interact with core game achievements, as players increasingly expect granular control over their progress. The feature could also encourage more players to engage with DLCs without fear of disrupting their base game completion records, potentially boosting post-launch revenue for studios.
Key takeaways
- For developers, this update highlights the importance of structuring achievements to align with player expectations, particularly for DLCs.
- The separation of base game and DLC achievements could reduce frustration for completionist players who dislike DLCs impacting their progress.
- Game studios may need to update their achievement systems to support this feature, which could require additional development effort.
- The redesigned achievements page offers a clearer way to track progress, which may enhance player engagement and competition.
FAQ
Do players need to enable Achievement Sets manually?
No, the feature is automatically available in the Steam Client beta. However, developers must update their games to support it, so not all titles will have Achievement Sets immediately.
Will DLC achievements still count toward overall game progress?
No, DLC achievements are separated into their own sets and will not affect the overall completion progress of the base game.
Can players compare their achievement progress with friends?
Yes, the redesigned achievements page allows players to compare their progress with up to three friends, including rare achievements and completed sets.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- Engadget · 2026-10-16
Steam Achievement Sets Will Stop DLCs From Ruining Your 100 Percent Record
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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