Steam Revolutionizes Gifting, 2026 Sale Dates Leaked & The "Epic" Paradox

The State of Steam: January 2026

By ModVC Staff

It is January 22, 2026. The dust has settled from the massive Winter Sale, and wallets across the PC gaming ecosystem are recovering. However, Valve never sleeps. In a surprising mid-January update, Steam has fundamentally changed how we interact with friends on the platform, while competitors like Epic Games continue to stir the pot with aggressive rhetoric and strategic freebies.

At ModVC, we have been tracking the latest platform updates, the sudden surge in RPG popularity (thanks, Larian), and the leaked schedule for the rest of the 2026 sales calendar. Whether you are looking to complete your collection or just wondering when the next big discount event drops, we have you covered.

A New Era for Gifting: The "Complete the Set" Update

For years, one of the most frustrating aspects of Steam's ecosystem was the inability to gift "Complete the Set" bundles. If your friend owned Quake I but you wanted to gift them the Quake Collection, Steam simply wouldn't allow it because of the overlapping ownership. That changes today.

According to new reports confirmed by EJS Computers and MSN, Steam now allows users to gift dynamic discount bundles. The system automatically detects which titles the recipient already owns and adjusts the price accordingly, charging the gifter only for the missing titles.

This is a massive win for the consumer. It removes the friction from gifting during major sales and ensures that discounts are fully utilized. As noted in the latest reports, this brings back the rush of the "good old days" of Steam sales, where buying an entire franchise for the price of a coffee feels viable again.

Here is a breakdown of how the new mechanism works compared to the old system:

The Epic Games vs. Steam Dialogue Continues

While Valve quietly improves infrastructure, Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has been vocal this week regarding the industry landscape. In a candid interview covered by PCGamesN, Sweeney addressed the ongoing competition between the Epic Games Store (EGS) and Steam.

Sweeney acknowledged that EGS "heavily reinvests" in its user base—a polite way of describing their aggressive free game strategy. However, he took a pointed jab at Valve's leadership, contrasting Epic's reinvestment strategy against Steam chief Gabe Newell's accumulated wealth, specifically referencing "yachts and diamond teeth."

The Paradox of Freebies

Despite the rhetoric, the data suggests a strange symbiosis between the two platforms. Instant Gaming News and PC Guide reported a fascinating trend this month: games that go free on Epic often see massive sales spikes on Steam shortly after.

• The Case of Blood West: While this horror-western FPS was free on EGS, its sales jumped 200% on Steam.
• The Theory: Sweeney calls this "a feature." The free giveaway acts as a massive marketing burst. Streamers play the free copy, YouTube fills with content, and users who prefer the Steam ecosystem (for achievements, Workshop support, or the Steam Deck) flock to buy it there.

It seems that in 2026, the "console war" of PC gaming is less of a war and more of a complex, unintentional partnership.

The 2026 Sales Schedule: Mark Your Calendars

Thanks to leaks and historical tracking from steady sources like GameGrin and CultOfMush, we have a solid idea of what the 2026 sales landscape looks like. We are currently in a "cooling off" period, but the major seasonal events are approaching.

The Steam Spring Sale 2026 is expected to be the next heavy hitter. Based on the data, here is our projected roadmap for the first half of the year:

Note: Dates are subject to Valve's final confirmation, but these windows align with the leaked API data.

Current Deals: What to Buy Right Now

Even without a named "Fest" currently active, there are incredible isolated deals available this week.

1. Control (Remedy Entertainment) As reported by PC Gamer, one of the best blockbuster shooters of the last decade is currently priced at $4. With the sequel in active development, this is the perfect time to dive into the Oldest House. The destructive physics and lore-heavy narrative make this a must-play for under five dollars.

2. The Larian Surge Outlook Respawn reports a massive resurgence in Larian Studios' back catalog. Following the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3, fans have returned to Divinity: Original Sin 2, pushing it to its best sales month in nine years. If you haven't played DOS2, keep an eye on it—it is frequently discounted to match the hype.

3. .hack//G.U. Last Recode A niche but beloved JRPG collection, .hack//G.U. Last Recode, has been spotted for $9.99. This remaster includes the entire trilogy plus a new epilogue chapter, offering over 100 hours of gameplay for under ten bucks.

Freebies and Warnings

It wouldn't be modern PC gaming without a word of caution. Notebookcheck has highlighted a concerning development regarding a limited-time freebie currently on the charts.

• The Game: Battle Simulator: Counter Stickman
• The Deal: Dropped from $2.99 to $0.
• The Warning: There are rising concerns regarding potential spyware claims associated with the executable. While Steam's vetting process is generally robust, users are advised to be cautious with lesser-known titles that suddenly drop to free without a clear marketing reason.

On a lighter note, OpenCritic highlights that 2026 is off to a strong start for legitimate free-to-play access, with several high-profile RPGs offering "free weeks" to boost player counts.

ModVC's Verdict

January is usually a slow month, but 2026 is defying that trend. Between the "Complete the Set" gifting update (which we predict will significantly boost multiplayer game sales) and the bizarre effectiveness of Epic's freebie-to-Steam-sales pipeline, the ecosystem is healthy.

For those waiting for the big discounts, hold your wallet until the Spring Sale in March, unless you are grabbing Control for $4—that is a deal you shouldn't skip.

Sources:

• MSN: Steam Gifting Update
• PCGamesN: Sweeney vs Newell
• GameGrin: Spring Sale Dates
• CultOfMush: Sale Leaks