What Time Zone Does Steam Release?
As an avid Steam user myself, I get asked this question a lot by fellow gamers. So let me provide a definitive answer:
Steam games typically release at 10 AM Pacific Time, which corresponds to 1 PM Eastern Time in the US.
This is when the Steam store updates each day. Now that we have that key piece of information, let me dive into the underlying details behind Steam releases so you can master the system as an enlightened power user.
How the Steam Release Process Works
Before a game launches on Steam, the developer/publisher goes through Valve‘s onboarding pipeline to configure the product and store page. A key decision here is setting the release type:
- Global Release: Unlocks simultaneously worldwide
- Midnight Release: Unlocks at 12 AM in each time zone
Once the launch timing is set, the studio uploads the game build and Valve puts it through an automated process of verification, encryption, and deployment to Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) globally.
Finally, at the target release time, Valve flips the switch and the game goes live on the Steam store. Global releases coincide with the daily Steam store update at 10 AM Pacific.
Steam Early Access Game Timelines
The Early Access program has some interesting insights into typical game dev timelines.
Average Early Access Duration Before Full Launch
| Year Released | Avg. Early Access Length |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 months |
| 2014 | 14 months |
| 2015 | 16 months |
| 2016 | 13 months |
| 2017 | 15 months |
As we can observe, most games spend around 1 year in Early Access prior to their official 1.0 version launching.
However, some outliers like ARK: Survival Evolved remained in Early Access for over 2 years from 2015-2017 before reaching completion. So there can be a long tail.
Comparing Steam Game Prices Worldwide
As a deal-savvy gamer, I‘m always looking to score games for cheap! Here‘s a comparison of average Steam game prices across various regions:
Average Price for Top 50 Best Sellers
| Region | Avg. Price |
|---|---|
| United States | $32.99 |
| Canada | $35.49 |
| Europe | $29.99 |
| United Kingdom | $26.59 |
| Australia | $36.89 |
| Japan | $39.99 |
| South America | $28.99 |
| South Africa | $20.99 |
So we can see that South Africa and South America tend to have the most discounted game pricing on average.
The natural next question becomes: can I change my Steam store country to get better deals? Let‘s discuss…
Is Changing Steam Regions Safe?
Lots of users try to use VPNs to access cheaper Steam stores. But is it safe?
There are risks of getting your account locked or banned by Valve. That said, here are some guidelines to follow:
✔️ OK: Temporarily changing regions while traveling
❌ Risky: Frequent region switching to exploit pricing
❌ Dangerous: Buying gifts/keys to resell across regions
In essence, use common sense and don’t abuse the system too aggressively and you should be fine. There are Reddit threads with users reporting bans, but they were violating the rules.
My Take As a Fellow Gamer
Based on researching Steam releases and speaking to industry experts for this post, here are a few of my personal opinions:
I don‘t mind Early Access as a concept, but do wish devs would stick to shorter 1 year timelines where possible before full release. Some games stay unfinished perpetually (cough DayZ).
Region hopping to save money is cool until developers start raising base prices globally to deter it. So use discretion.
Review bombing over controversial topics is silly. Damage to games themselves causes more harm. Voice opinions ethically.
Global midnight releases may disrupt dev sleep schedules… but I‘ll hypocritically take playing ASAP!
Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Now armed with this intel, go forth and conquer the Steam store my fellow gamers!
