Desktop Companion Fest celebrates games that sit on your desktop and keep you company while you do other things!

This event runs January 14, 2027 @ 10:00am PST to January 18, 2027 @ 10:00am PST and will include eligible titles with sections for discounted titles, unreleased titles in Coming Soon mode, games with demos, and more.

Table of Contents

• Important Dates
  
• Eligibility
  
• Registration
  
• Asset Kit
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Need Help?

Important Dates

• January 8, 2027 - The trailer announcing the event launches on this day. At this point, you're welcome to share your participation in the event. Assets for this purpose will be available in the Asset Kit below.
  
• January 14, 2027 @ 10:00am PST - The event starts. This is the deadline for entering a discount, and opting out if you no longer want to participate.

Eligibility

Desktop Companion Games are, by design, games that are not meant to be played super actively; they're usually idle-adjacent titles, though some exceptions exist like games that progress when the user types or takes an action on the computer. These are companion games, and thus should be meant to accompany the user while they do things on the computer. Games that are designed with a desktop companion 'mode' or meant for a full second monitor are not eligible for this Fest.

If your game does not that the Desktop Companion tag, then it is likely not eligible for this Fest. Games best played in full screen mode are also unlikely to be eligible.

Eligible games will include most or all of the following:

• The game unobtrusively sits across part of the screen, typically the bottom or the side
  
• The game will play even while the user is not actively interacting with it
  
• Typically falls under the casual / relaxing / idle genres

Ineligible games include:

• Games that have idle components that can be resized, but aren't designed as Desktop Companion games
  
• Screensaver / live wallpaper-type apps
  
• Software, including utility and tracking-type apps
  
• Pomodoro timers

Check your list of eligible games here: https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027

Registration

Click below to register your interest in participating in this event. To participate with a discount, you will also need to enter a discount for your game before January 14, 2027 @ 10:00am PST.

https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027

Asset Kit

We’ve created an asset kit of images and templates for you to use on your own social media channels when telling your fans about your participation in this event. These assets are designed to work well on various platforms and you're welcome to use them to let players know you'll be participating. Our official event trailer will typically launch around 4 days prior to the event; we recommend the same timing for utilizing these assets to promote your participation on your own channels. (please reference Important Dates above).

Download here: Asset Kit coming soon

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I haven't received an email invitation and have a game I believe fits the eligibility criteria described above. How can I confirm whether my game has been invited and request an invitation if it has not been invited?
A. If you haven't received an email invitation and believe you have a game that fits the eligibility criteria described above, please check:

• Your list of eligible games here: https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027
  
• The registration page for your game by appending your appID here: https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027/
  
• Your base game's App Admin page (in the Marketing Tools & Data section) for the opt-in by appending your appID here: https://partner.steamgames.com/apps/landing/

If your game is not found via the paths above and you believe it meets the eligibility criteria, please use the appeals process available at the bottom of the registration page.

If your game was found via the paths above but you didn't receive an email, please check your Steamworks communication preferences (instructions available in the Steam Themed Sale Events parent documentation page).

Q. Do I need to register my game before entering a discount?
A. Yes, you need to do the following things in order:

1. Follow the link in the invitation email, or click this link to see your eligible games and register each: https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027
   
2. Once a game is registered, you can then enter discounts on the Discount Management page: https://partner.steamgames.com/promotion/discounts/dashboard/?16741

Q. Will there be livestreaming as part of this event?
A. Livestreaming will not be featured on the sale page, but you're welcome to livestream on your own game's store page as you wish.

Q. I've changed my plans. How do I cancel my registration?
A. Just return to the registration page for your game by inserting your appID at the end of this URL https://partner.steamgames.com/optin/sale/desktop_companion_2027/<appid> and deselect the checkbox at the very bottom of the page to remove your game from the event.

Q. Can I promote our participation in the event on our own channels before the trailer goes live?
A. Technically yes; you can publish once the Asset Kit is available for download, but we recommend waiting until the event trailer is live (again, roughly 4 days prior to the event) as a more effective communications beat with your audience.

Need Help?

Contact us here if you have questions regarding this event.