Alternative Markets Undercut Official Steam Summer Sale Prices

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By Deals
2 July 2026 no comments
Split image showing the lush, overgrown environments of Horizon Forbidden West on the left and a dense, industrialized Victorian city in Anno 1800 on the right.
Key Takeaways
  • The Steam Summer Sale is halfway over, but high-profile titles still see significant pricing disparities across marketplaces.
  • The Smart Price: Secure Anno 1800 for under €10 and Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition for just over €20 by bypassing the standard store cost.
  • Both games continue to hold massive active player bases, making them highly relevant investments despite their age.

The summer promotional window is reaching its midpoint, and major PC titles are experiencing steep discounts. 

According to live SteamDB data, Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition is currently seeing a 24-hour peak of over 3,400 concurrent players.

Meanwhile, the older Anno 1800 continues to pull in nearly 4,000 peak daily players, proving the massive enduring appeal of both titles.

Are Steam Summer Sale Prices Actually the Lowest?

No, the official Steam Summer Sale prices are not the lowest available market rates. While Steam lists Anno 1800 at around €15 and Horizon Forbidden West at nearly €30, third-party marketplaces currently offer keys that bypass this premium retail price, dropping entry points closer to €10 and €20 respectively.

The official markup during major seasonal events often represents a historical low strictly within that specific ecosystem.

However, informed buyers tracking the objective reality of the market know that alternative marketplaces operate on different supply structures.

This allows consumers to bypass the standard store cost and secure legitimate keys at prices much closer to their true market value.

Note: Prices and availability may change. Please check the widget below for real-time live prices.

How Do These Titles Hold Up for PC Gamers Today?

Both titles perform exceptionally well on modern PC setups. Horizon Forbidden West boasts a highly optimized port with robust graphics settings, while Anno 1800 remains the premier city-building simulator with complex economic mechanics that demand capable processors to run smoothly during late-game stages.

For those migrating from the PS5 ecosystem, the PC version of Horizon delivers unlocked framerates and ultrawide monitor support, ensuring the technical presentation remains top-tier.

Simultaneously, Anno 1800 has finalized its extensive development cycle, leaving behind a polished, content-rich simulation that continues to challenge strategy enthusiasts.

To visualize the current market reality, here is a breakdown of the active pricing tiers across platforms.

                                                                                                               
Game TitleOfficial Steam Sale PriceAlternative Market PriceEstimated Savings
Anno 1800~€14.99Under €10~33%
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition~€29.99Near €20~33%

Aloy drawing her bow against a large mechanical creature in a vibrant jungle setting in Horizon Forbidden West.

Should You Buy Now or Wait?

Acquiring these titles now is mathematically sound given the current market thresholds. With active player counts remaining high and alternative pricing models dropping the entry barrier significantly, both games present an undeniable return on your investment.

At under €10 for a massive strategy game and near €20 for a flagship open-world experience, the current pricing window is optimal.

There is little statistical precedent for these specific editions dropping significantly lower in the immediate future.



Review the latest market data to confirm current entry points across official and alternative storefronts before finalizing any digital purchases.

Note: Prices and availability may change. Please check the widget below for real-time live prices.


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