Valve kicks off 2011 Steam Holiday sale

Hopefully you’ve managed to save some cash from the onslaught of deals we’ve had over the past month, because Valve, as expected, kicked off their 2011 Steam Holiday sale today, and just about everything is discounted.

Now through January 1, Valve will roll out a new set of deals each day. The highlights of today’s round of deals includes Fable III for $12.49, Just Cause 2 for $4.99, Metro 2033 for $4.99, and Orcs Must Die for $3.74.

That’s not all of the deals to be had, however. You have the publisher pack deals, including the entire Id pack for $44.99 and the 2K Complete Pack for $74.99. There are also discounted items that aren’t on the featured list as well, so chances are you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for on the cheap.

Also, Valve kicked off a contest to coincide with the sale, with some very, very interesting prizes up for grabs; 1,000 winners will receive the Valve Complete Pack, 100 will get the top 5 items on their wishlist, 50 will get the top 10 items on their wishlist and, for the grand prize, one incredibly lucky person will receive every single game available on Steam. For free.

In order to enter, you have to participate in day-to-day activities. For every piece of “coal” you earn in your Steam inventory, which is rewarded by completing various activities, you’ll get an entry into the drawing. For more details on how that works, see this page.