Steam beta adds achievement sets that split base game, DLC and seasonal achievements

Valve has added “achievement sets” to the latest Steam client beta. The feature lets developers sort a game’s achievements into separate groups, so achievements for the base game, for DLC and for seasonal content can each be tracked on their own, according to The Verge and PC Gamer.

Players still unlock achievements the same way. The difference shows up when they look through what they’ve earned. Valve said Steam will split the full list into the sets the developer created, “making it easier to see what you have completed and to find other related achievements you can unlock next,” as quoted by The Verge. Each set gets its own progress bar, and finishing one awards a “set complete” trophy that shows on the player’s profile.

According to PC Gamer, developers can also build sets around specific goals, such as mastering a character class or finishing a single-player campaign. Because DLC achievements can sit in their own set, a player who has completed the base game can stay at 100% on it even without playing the add-ons. Until now, new DLC achievements lowered that figure.

Steam will also support seasonal sets, which developers can archive later. The Verge reports that Valve suggested using them for season-based games or for holiday achievements that are only available for a limited time. PC Gamer said Valve’s own example is a set called “Halloween Event Achievements” that doesn’t count toward the base game’s total.

Valve is also updating the Steam Achievements page. It now shows overall progress, progress in each set and details on individual achievements in one place. PC Gamer reports that players can also compare achievements with up to three friends at the same time.

Developers have to add support for sets themselves. Valve lists 17 games that already support them, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Forza Horizon 5, Portal 2, Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead 2, Crusader Kings III, DREDGE, PowerWash Simulator 2 and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

For now, the features are only available to players who join the Steam Client Beta. Valve has not announced a date for the full release. PC Gamer noted that Steam betas usually last about a month.