Valve hints Steam Summer Sale could begin this week

With the Steam Trading Card beta set to end tomorrow, Valve has dropped a hint that the annual Summer Sale could also be about to begin.

Whilst Valve revealed that the Trading Card program would be leaving beta this week, the more interesting news came at the end of the announcement, with the firm claiming that: "making trading cards available to all Steam users is a step towards an event we think everyone can be excited about."

Of course, in the world of Steam, there are distinct events that would cause gamers to become excited. And it just so happens that one in particular, traditionally happens at the end of June, beginning of July.

Yes, you guessed it, the Steam Summer Sale.

Despite lacking any form of confirmation of Steam at this point, all of the signs are pointing towards the annual sale beginning from 7PM tomorrow, which is the time that Steam Trading Cards become available to users.

Users are able to earn cards in-game, which are randomly deposited in a player’s Steam inventory as a reward for when they complete certain challenges or objectives. Users will also be required to trade cards with fellow players Pokemon style in order to compete their card sets.

However, unlike Pokemon, Steam Trading Cards can be turned in for prizes, badges and experience points, in addition to discount vouchers for the Steam Store itself.

Gamers, brace yourself – and your wallet. The next few weeks could get quite pricey.