Gaming industry analyst Chris Zukowski has made a striking observation about Steam users: many of them purchase games they intend to play but often never do. “The incredible thing about Steam is that users frequently buy more games than they actually play,” Zukowski noted in a recent analysis.

Hoarding Behavior

His statements resonate with the behaviors seen in various hobbies, where individuals accumulate items (e.g., stacks of Lego, heaps of books). This phenomenon even has a term in Japanese—tsundoku, referring to buying books without the intention of reading them.

Economic Implications

Zukowski argues that the abundance of unplayed games actually benefits developers. “If Steam users only purchased games they planned to play, overall sales would plummet, and half the industry could vanish,” he stated.

“Knowing Steam players are hoarders explains why you give Valve that 30%: you get access to a bunch of drunken sailors who spend money irresponsibly.”
Translation: This showcases how user purchasing tendencies provide viable revenue for developers, even when games may remain unplayed.

While Zukowski’s observations offer critical insights, it’s essential to recognize that gaming habits evolve and vary from player to player.