Steam Launches Achievement Sets Beta to Separate Base Game and DLC Progress

Steam has launched the Achievement Sets feature in its client beta, allowing the platform to separate base game achievements from those tied to downloadable content. This change ensures that new developer additions do not alter a user’s existing completion percentage for the core game, according to Engadget. The feature aims to preserve the integrity of 100 percent completion records.

Developers must update their games to define specific achievement collections, each with a distinct purpose. The platform notes that a growing number of titles already support this functionality. Developers can group achievements by mode, such as separating single-player and multiplayer content, or by time, such as creating seasonal sets for events like Halloween.

How Achievement Sets Work

Steam divides these collections into two primary categories: Base Game Achievement Sets and DLC Achievement Sets. On the user’s profile, base game trophies and their associated progress bars appear in blue. In contrast, achievements and progress bars linked to DLC are displayed in purple. This visual distinction helps users immediately identify the source of each achievement.

DLC achievement sets will not appear in the overall game progress calculation until the user has access to the specific DLC connected to them. This mechanism prevents unowned content from affecting the completion percentage of the base game. Even if a developer adds more achievements to an existing set later, the user’s progress for that specific set will still show as 100 percent complete.

Profile Changes and Social Features

The platform has redesigned its achievements page to better display these sets and track user progress. Each set includes a progress bar showing how far along the user is in completing that specific collection. When a user earns every single achievement in a collection, they can display a "set complete" trophy on their profile.

The new page also introduces social comparison features. Users can compare their achievement progress with up to three friends. This comparison includes details on rare achievements earned and the specific sets completed by each friend. This allows for a more granular view of gaming accomplishments beyond simple percentage totals.

What should you do?

Users interested in this feature should enable the Steam Client beta in their client settings to access the Achievement Sets functionality. Developers looking to adopt the system need to update their game configurations to define specific achievement collections. Players should monitor their profiles to see how existing achievements are categorized under the new base game and DLC distinctions.

What to do and how to stay safe: Steam

• Enable the Steam Client beta in your client settings to access the new Achievement Sets feature.
• Check your game library to see which titles already support the new achievement grouping system.
• Review your profile to understand how base game and DLC achievements are now visually separated.
• Wait for developer updates if your favorite games do not yet support the new collection structure.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Steam Achievement Sets affect my current 100 percent completion status?

No, the feature separates DLC achievements from the base game, so your core completion percentage remains unaffected by new content.

How can I tell the difference between base game and DLC achievements?

Base game achievements and progress bars appear in blue, while DLC achievements and progress bars are displayed in purple.

Can I compare my achievement progress with friends?

Yes, the redesigned achievements page allows you to compare your progress with up to three friends, including rare achievements.