Steam is often cited as the go-to platform when it comes to getting good deals on PC. Regular promotions, free games, flexible refund policy, but a detail that has gone under the radar is now attracting the attention of players. The store can warn when a purchase is not the best option available.
The alert appears directly during the purchase, just before payment. It indicates that another format, often an official pack, allows you to obtain the same game at a lower price, sometimes even when it is already on sale.
An integrated alert that prevents certain unnecessary purchases
The trick was brought to light by a user known by the pseudonym FaffeJaffe. When he was about to buy Receiver 2 during a sales period, Steam informed him that he could save more by choosing a pack that also included the first episode. On Reddit, the user summed up the situation with this sentence that went viral: “Reason #581467 why Steam is the best.” The screenshot shared shows a clear message from the store that the game is available at a cheaper price through another official offer, a practice that is still rare in the industry.
A feature missing from PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo
This approach contrasts with that of other major video game platforms. Neither the PlayStation Store, nor the Microsoft Store, nor the Nintendo eShop notify players when a bundle or a different edition is more financially attractive. Editor Sam Cawley recalls that neither his PlayStation 5 nor his Xbox have ever suggested that he reconsider a purchase to benefit from a better offer, even though the reimbursement procedures there are much more restrictive.
A system designed to limit reimbursements
Several users believe that this functionality exists above all to reduce the number of refunds. Steam automatically compares the selected product with other active offers associated with the same game and alerts when a better option exists. This logic is part of a policy of commercial transparency rarely observed elsewhere in video games.
A useful tip, but not always perfect
The functionality is not foolproof. Some players report that Steam sometimes suggests a bundle presented as more interesting, when its total price is actually higher than that of the game alone. This behavior would be linked to how the store assesses the overall value of a product. In these cases, checking manually remains essential before validating the purchase.