SteamDB changes hands to Nexus Mods, which means it 'needs to make money' now—but there won't be ads or paywalls

SteamDB, a popular resource relied upon by many for game concurrent numbers and pricing information, will soon cease to be a donation-funded project. Founding member xPaw announced they have decided to step away from the project due to burnout, a feeling exacerbated by the pandemic and the rise of AI. Despite their best efforts, xPaw could not find a team confident enough to continue the project, leading them to part ways with SteamDB.

In its announcement, Nexus Mods, the new owners, explained their motivation for acquiring SteamDB. For one, the site's extensive database of game data is valuable, as it allows for easy access to manifests and data for older versions of games. Secondly, Nexus Mods sees the potential for SteamDB's database to enhance its own mod manager by providing better version compatibility information for mods.

Additionally, the database could help mod lists specify exact game versions they were built for, rather than relying on users to find that information elsewhere.

Nexus Mods plans to keep SteamDB free of ads and paywalls, with no immediate plans for display or programmatic advertising. Instead, they may explore affiliate links and partnerships that genuinely provide value to users. The new team is confident that they will be able to continue improving the project, ensuring its long-term success for gamers, developers, and publishers.