The estimates are based on the relationship between the number of existing items and their estimated drop rates. By combining these two values, it is possible to estimate the minimum number of times a case or collection must have been opened to produce the observed supply.
For weapon collections, the calculation is based on a Covert skin, as it provides the most reliable estimate for total openings.
For charms and stickers, the estimate combines:
- The number of items applied to weapons.
- The number of items currently listed across public marketplaces.
Unlike weapon skins, there is no comprehensive public database that tracks every existing charm or sticker across public Steam inventories. Combining applied and marketplace-listed items provides the closest available minimum estimate.
The formula used is:
Minimum Openings ≈ Existing Item Count ÷ Estimated Drop Rate
Once the minimum number of openings has been estimated, the minimum revenue is calculated using the cost required to open each collection.
For collections, the minimum revenue is calculated by multiplying the estimated number of openings by the number of stars required to redeem the collection and the price per star.
Formula:
Minimum Revenue = Minimum Openings × (Stars Required × Star Price)
For cases, the calculation also includes the cost of the key required to open each case.
Revenue from redeeming the case:
Case Revenue = Minimum Openings × (Stars Required × Star Price)
Total minimum revenue:
Minimum Revenue = Case Revenue + (Minimum Openings × Key Price)
This methodology provides a conservative minimum estimate of the revenue generated by each collection. Since Valve does not publish official sales figures and some items cannot be fully tracked, the actual revenue is likely higher.