Steam games can be released at various times, but many follow a standard schedule based on the developer's choice. While some AAA titles have special midnight releases, the most common unlock time for indie and smaller games is 10 AM Pacific Time (1 PM Eastern Time), which is the time the Steam store typically updates. 

Common release patterns 

Standard unlock: The most frequent release time is 10 AM Pacific (1 PM Eastern), corresponding with the daily Steam store refresh. 

Midnight releases: Some large publishers opt for midnight local time, but this is not as common on a global scale for Steam. Some games may have a global midnight release, often based on an Eastern Time or GMT midnight launch. 

Developer and publisher decision: Ultimately, the developer or publisher sets the release time for their game, so you should always check the specific game's store page for the most accurate countdown timer.