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Steamworks Achievements Setup

This section explains how to create and configure achievements in Steamworks so they can be accessed and unlocked through the Steam Achievements subsystem.

Achievements are configured in the Steamworks dashboard for your application.

To access the achievements configuration:

  • Open the Steamworks dashboard and select your application
  • Open the application checklist and navigate to Edit Steamworks Settings
  • Open the Stats & Achievements section and select Achievements

Creating a New Achievement

To create a new achievement, click New Achievement on the Achievements page.

Each achievement is defined by a set of fields that control its behavior, appearance, and API integration.

Achievement Fields Overview

API Name

The API Name is the identifier used by the Steam API and must exactly match the AchievementID used in code.

This value is case-sensitive and should be treated as a stable identifier that is not changed after publishing.

Progress Stat

The Progress Stat field links an achievement to a numeric stat and is used for incremental achievements.

When a Progress Stat is assigned, the achievement will unlock automatically when the stat reaches the configured maximum value.

If no Progress Stat is set, the achievement behaves as a standard one-time achievement.

Display Name

The Display Name is the player-facing name shown in achievement notifications and community pages.

This value can be localized using Steamworks localization features.

Description

The Description provides additional context for the achievement and is also player-facing.

This field supports localization.

Set By

The Set By field controls which system is allowed to unlock the achievement.

For client-driven achievements, this should remain set to Client, which is the default.

Hidden

When enabled, the achievement will remain hidden on the user’s profile until it is unlocked.

Hidden achievements are commonly used for secret or story-related goals.

Achieved Icon

The Achieved Icon is displayed once the achievement has been unlocked.

Unachieved Icon

The Unachieved Icon is displayed before the achievement is unlocked.

Standard vs Incremental Achievements

Standard achievements do not use a Progress Stat and are unlocked explicitly through the API when a specific condition is met.

Incremental achievements are linked to a Progress Stat and unlock automatically when the stat reaches the defined threshold.

Incremental achievements must always be driven by stat updates, not direct unlock calls.

Publishing Achievements

Achievements must be published in Steamworks before they become available at runtime.

Unpublished achievements will not appear in the Steam API and cannot be unlocked or queried.

After publishing, changes may take a short time to propagate to all Steam clients.

Common Configuration Mistakes

  • API Name does not match the AchievementID used in code
  • Achievements were created but not published
  • Incremental achievements are missing a linked Progress Stat
  • Incorrect stat type is used for incremental achievements
  • Testing is performed with the wrong App ID or without Steam running