What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (2024)

What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (1)

Steam is a digital platform created by Valve Corporation to serve as a distributor of PC games. The Steam client allows users to install PC games online directly to their cloud drives after purchase. Steam users are welcome to post their reviews, upload self-made content, buy DLCs, and much more!

The Steam client has multiple features such as the option to make automatic updates to their games, access to a friends list, in-game voice chat similar to Xbox Live, and the ability to share games amongst your friends.

Steam is basically an online video game store built with the intention of fixing Valve’s released game updates through adding patches that would prevent crashes caused by having too many players online.

It was officially released in 2003 and then, the Steam Community was launched four years later. Steam was still in its beta testing phase and many features were not released yet.

Steam’s user-friendly interface allows you to browse great deals on their games ranging from Action and Adventure to Indie or 3rd person shooters. There’s something for everyone.

You have the option of gifting or trading collectible items within the community. You can also upload your own creations including artwork, videos, screenshots, guides, and downloadable content so that others get to enjoy them as well.

Shopping for PC games has never been easier! Wouldn’t it be great if you had every tidbit of information about a game given to you, centered on a single page?

As a Steam member, you are able to watch game trailers, preview screenshots, and see user tags that tell you whether the game has single-player, co-op, or multiplayer modes.

The Steam client also informs you of system requirements, the number of user reviews, recent news, and similar titles. You can add any of them to your wish list or your cart to checkout.

Once you’ve entered your personal information, you’ll be able to buy subsequent games automatically, no need to type your credit card number a second time making transactions a breeze.

The Steam community is a discussion forum where gamers can write their own reviews or comment on the latest news regarding new games, memes, tips and tricks, Easter eggs, and much more!

Steam is now available for Windows, MacBook, Linux, TV, and mobile devices too. You only need an internet connection and a modern laptop to play games that take up a lot of bandwidth.

To expand their platform, Valve began to introduce Steam Machines which function as devices that let you connect your console games to your TV in HD. These gaming PCs offer quality performance, living room compatibility, customizable consoles, and desktop storage for thousands of games.

These gaming PC systems promise quality performance, living room compatibility, customizable consoles, and desktop storage for thousands of games though they are not necessary.

If you want to know more about gaming on Steam, then I will go in-depth about the Steam Store and how to navigate their multiple menus. It’s not exactly like Gamefly nor Gamestop online retailers because your games are purely digital products.

You can either search the store or browse by categories such as Top Sellers, New Releases, or Steam Controller for games you wish to play, installing them through your Steam library. There is no limit on how many games you can hold in cloud storage.

You can also view recommendations from your friends and family through tags. And if you’re bored then there are videos on Steam covering all kinds of topics like Tutorials, Comedy, Sci-fi, and Anime/manga.

After all, Steam is supposed to be a platform for all gaming purposes which is why it has so much downloadable content for sale, not to mention software for design, photo-editing, audio production, animations, and much more!

But for the most part, I will be discussing my library games since I have countless games to go through first. So check out my reviews whenever you feel like it!

To get started, you can read about all the hottest genres out there, learn how to use the Steam Library, or find my introduction to YouTube channels for gamers using these PlayStation buttons.

What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (6)Guide to Steam

What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (7)Game Genres

What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (8)Steam Library

Would you like to offer feedback on this page? If so, just comment below and I’ll get back to you!

What is Steam? – PC Games for Steam (2024)

FAQs

What is Steam for PC games? ›

Steam is a video game digital distribution service and storefront developed by Valve Corporation. It was launched as a software client in September 2003 to provide game updates automatically for Valve's games, and expanded to distributing third-party titles in late 2005.

Are PC games free on Steam? ›

Free to play games are available to download for free and can be played without a subscription or a credit card. Your Steam wallet allows you to purchase items and content in-game to customize your gameplay if supported by the specific game. Will I need a credit card to play?

How to check if your PC can run a Steam game? ›

You can check each game's system requirements and compatible operating systems on that game's Steam Store page by scrolling down to its "System Requirements" section.

How many PC games are on Steam? ›

There are over 73 thousand games available on Steam, with over nine thousand games being published in the first nine months of 2023 alone. The biggest game on Steam in 2022 was Lost Ark.

Does Steam cost money? ›

What to Know. Steam is a digital game storefront and a social platform that lets you see what your friends are playing. To sign up, select Login > Join Steam on the homepage and enter your information. Steam is free to use, but you typically pay for games.

Should I get Steam for PC? ›

Yes, 100%. Steam is the hub/market for MOST PC games. It has millions upon millions of concurrent users every day. And plus, it's actually free, you only pay for the games.

How do Steam games work? ›

Frequently asked questions about Steam

How does Steam work? Steam acts as a storefront for users to purchase and play various titles from small and large developers. The service is cross-platform, allowing users to access Steam games from several supported devices, including PC, Steam Deck, and some Chromebooks.

Is Steam trustworthy? ›

Steam has multiple security layers, like two-factor authentication and encryption protocols. User data is protected, accounts need verification to log in from new devices, and financial information is secured when making purchases. This makes Steam a relatively safe choice.

Can I play Steam games on the internet? ›

Connect And Play

Using Steam Link, you can connect to any computer that's running Steam - either on a local network or over the internet.

Does Steam work on laptops? ›

Runs quite well on a low-end laptop. Can slow down if there are lots of fires burning at once. Also takes a performance cut when in fast-forward mode.

Can I play Steam games on my laptop? ›

Play on another PC or laptop by simply logging into Steam on both computers. Then visit your Steam Library to start streaming between them. Log into Steam on your gaming PC.

Will Steam refund my game? ›

Valve will, upon request via help.steampowered.com, issue a refund for any title that is requested within 14 days of purchase and has been played for less than 2 hours. Even if you fall outside of the refund rules we've described, you can submit a request and we'll take a look at it.

How much do Steam games cost? ›

In 2023, the average selling price for PC games on Steam was 15.50 U.S. dollars. This is a 7 percent increase from 13.30 U.S. dollars in 2020 and represents a 6 percent CAGR from 2018 to 2023. In 2028, the average price of PC games on Steam is projected to reach 18.10 U.S. dollars.

How many games are free in Steam? ›

Free Steam Deck Games

There, you can see the free games that work with SteamOS. At the time of this writing, there are more than 8,000 total games listed as Steam Deck Verified or Playable.

Can any PC play Steam games? ›

Hardware: We recommend a minimum of a quad-core CPU for the computer running the game. The client has more modest requirements, but should have a GPU that supports hardware accelerated H264 decoding. Any recent laptop or PC should meet the client requirements.

Why do people use Steam for games? ›

Steam hosts a cloud service that automatically uploads game settings, save files, profile stats, and other Steam-related data. Most major game titles support Steam Cloud saves, and you can take advantage of that and store your game data online.

What do I use Steam for? ›

Steam, The Ultimate Online Game Platform. Don't have a Steam account? Steam is the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games.

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