Steam Workshop is Valve’s hub for community-made content: mods, maps, skins and items for games on Steam. Most of it is free, but some games run paid Workshops where Valve or the publisher picks community items to sell in the game. When your item is accepted, you earn a share of its sales. Valve reported more than $57 million paid to Workshop creators back in 2015, across over 1,500 contributors in 75 countries.
At a glance
| What it is | Valve’s hub for community-made game content |
| Paid content | Items accepted into paid Workshops |
| Example games | Team Fortress 2, Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2 |
| Revenue share | Set by Valve and/or the publisher |
| Team splits | Revenue can be split among contributors |
| Tracking | Revenue page in your Workshop files |
How it works
You create an item, such as a weapon skin, cosmetic or map, following the game’s technical and art guidelines, and submit it to the game’s Workshop. Players vote and comment, and Valve or the publisher decides which items go into the game. If yours is accepted into a paid Workshop, you earn a share of the money players spend on it.
The revenue share
Valve’s Workshop terms say Valve and/or the publisher decide the revenue share for paid items, and how it’s split among contributors. The share differs by game, and some games also pay on secondary sales in the Steam Community Market. Read the supplemental Workshop terms for the specific game before you put weeks into an item.
Teams and contributors
Many accepted items are made by small teams: a modeller, a texture artist and sometimes an animator. Workshop lets you list contributors so the revenue split happens automatically. Agree the split before you start.
Tracking earnings
Once you have content accepted, a “View Your Revenue” link appears on your Workshop files page, with sales data for each item. Use it to see which styles sell before you make the next one.
Realistic expectations
Acceptance is selective and earnings are uneven: a small group of creators earns most of the money, and many submissions are never accepted. It works best as a portfolio project with upside, not as reliable income.
Getting started
Pick one game, study the items it has accepted recently and learn its submission tools. Clean, game-ready assets that fit the style matter more than flashy concept art.
Keeping records
Workshop earnings are income in most countries. Keep a record of each payment and of how revenue on each item is split with your contributors, so everyone’s share is clear when the money arrives.
Learning from accepted items
The items a game accepts tell you what its players and its team want. Note their colours, level of detail and theme, and check how new items fit the game’s current season or events.
Owen’s take
Steam Workshop is a long shot that pays well when it hits, and it builds a portfolio either way. If you already make 3D game art, it costs little to try.
Who it suits
It suits 3D artists and modders who want their work in big games. It suits less well anyone who needs income soon.
Similar options
- Roblox Creator pays for avatar items and experiences.
- Fortnite Creators pays island builders through Epic.
- itch.io lets you sell asset packs directly.
- Metafy pays skilled players to coach.
More options are in Gaming.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Your work can reach a huge player base
- Automatic revenue splits for teams
- Builds a strong portfolio
Cons
- Acceptance is selective
- Revenue share not fixed or public
- Earnings concentrated among few creators
FAQ
How do Steam Workshop creators make money?
They earn a share of sales when items are accepted into a game’s paid Workshop.
What share do creators get?
Valve and/or the publisher set it, and it differs by game.
Which games have paid Workshops?
Valve games such as Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2, plus some other titles.
Can I split earnings with collaborators?
Yes, you can add contributors who receive a share automatically.
Where do I see my Workshop earnings?
On the “View Your Revenue” page linked from your Workshop files.
