Managing Achievement Progress on Steam

Valve has introduced a significant update to Steam that allows developers to categorize achievements into distinct groups. This new functionality, dubbed Achievement Sets, is currently available via the Steam Client beta. By separating base game achievements from those introduced in downloadable content (DLC), the platform ensures that players no longer see their overall completion percentage drop when new content is added to a title.


While developers are required to manually update their games to implement these collections, many have already begun adopting the system. This flexible framework allows creators to organize milestones in various ways, such as separating single-player and multiplayer goals or creating time-limited seasonal events.


How Achievement Sets Function

Users can view these organized collections directly within their profile's achievement section. Key features of the new system include:

  • Progress Visualization: Each set features a dedicated progress bar to track your status.
  • Completion Trophies: Players can now showcase a "set complete" trophy on their profile for every collection they fully unlock.
  • Persistent Completion: Even if a developer releases additional achievements for an existing set, your previous 100% status remains preserved.

Visual Distinction Between Sets

To keep things organized, Steam utilizes a color-coded interface. Base Game Achievement Sets and their associated progress bars are highlighted in blue, whereas DLC-related achievements are marked in purple. Furthermore, DLC sets are hidden from your global game progress statistics until you actually own and have access to the corresponding expansion, ensuring that your public profile remains accurate to your owned content.


Enhanced Comparison Tools

The achievement page itself has received a design overhaul to better accommodate these new sets. This update also improves social features, allowing you to compare your progress—including rare trophies and completed sets—against up to three friends simultaneously.