Steam-Complete overview in 2025

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Steam is the biggest digital distribution channel of PC-games in the world. Created by Valve Corporation, it has transformed since it was first developed as a mere game updater to a huge game, mod, social, and development environment.

An in-depth analysis about Steam in bullets, discussing all facets of it in detail:

What is Steam?

• Steam is an online game store and distribution company.
• Program created by Valve Corporation, published in September 2003.
• It was originally designed to distribute Valve games and update but was extended to third-party titles.
• It exists on the Windows, macOS, and Linux, with the limited mobile version (iOS & Android).
• Steam further provides a desktop client to play games and connect with other people.

Characteristics of Steam

Library Management Of Games

• A hub where one can buy, download, install and play games.
• Keeps statistics of hours played, achievements and improvement.
• Cloud saves enable you to achieve device syncing of games.

Steam Store

• Has thousands of titles (AAA games, to indie games).
• Regular sales including:
  • The Steam Summer Sale
  • Steam Winter Sale
  • Halloween, Autumn and Spring Sales
• Discounts make it usable by the budget gamers, who can afford 10 to 90 percent discounts.

Steam Wallet

• Game purchases, DLC, software and in-game purchases via digital wallet.
• You will be able to deposit funds by means of credit/debit cards, PayPal or regional payments.
• The pricing is regional and affordable in varied countries.

Awards & Merits

• Steam games offer numerous Steam Achievements that reward people when they do a certain thing.
• Users that play the game and attend Steam events gain XP by playing the game, and are enabled to create badges that offer a wider range of customization.
• User profile can be enriched with badges made out of trading cards.

Steam Cloud

• Automatically saves backed up data of supported games.
• Allows players to keep playing on various devices.

Workshop

• User generated content site.
• Mods, maps, skins, and other stuff made by other players may be uploaded or downloaded.
• Highly promotes modding groups of the games such as Skyrim, Cities: Skyline and Left 4 Dead 2.

 Community

• User groups, guides, forums and reviews.
• Gamers are also able to post their reviews on the game they have played.
• Possibility to enter communities with game-related concerns or create them yourself.
• The ability to share screenshots and live.

Steam Chat Friends

• In-built messaging system to chat with friends.
• Allows voice, group and link or media sharing chat.
• Activity Sharing, notifications and game invites are included.

Remote Play and Streaming

• Remote Play Together allows you to use online local multiplayer games.
• Steam Remote Play allows playing your PC games on your mobile or between computers.
• Broadcast games on high-powered PC onto a less-powerful laptop.

Family Sharing

• Enables even the user to share library with 5 accounts and 10 gadgets.
• The users have their own achievements and saving.
• The shared library can be utilized by only one person.

For Developers

Steamworks

• A tool that supports a developer to implement features into games, with a series of tools and services.
• Owes DRM, matchmaking, leaderboards, in-game purchases, and so forth.
• Supports Early Access, which gives devs possibility to publish alpha/beta releases and get feedback.

Steam Publication

• Steam Direct is used to produce games on Steam.
• Commissioning at $100 per game (can be refunded, in case of bringing in more than 1,000 dollars).
• They will be able to reach a worldwide audience, analytics, and community.

System Requirements

• Compatible with:
  • Windows 7 and higher
  • MacOS 10.11 and higher
  • Majority of the Linux distributions
• It needs a stable internet connection to make downloads and updates.
• Minimum Hardware needed to play games varies game to game.

Steam Mobile

Steam Mobile App permits:

• Chat with the friends
• Entries into the community
• Authorizing commerce and purchases (Steam Guard)

Link App:

• Cast games playing on a PC to a smart phone or tablet or smart TV.
• It needs a local network with a high speed.

Security

Steam Guard

• Two-factor authentication via email or mobile app.
• Essential for trade security and account protection.

Trade Confirmations

• Used to confirm trades and prevent scams.

Other Services

Steam Deck

• It is powered by SteamOS (Linux-based), which has the potential of playing most of the PC games.
• It comes with a desktop mode with complete customization.

Big Picture Mode

• Full-screen interface to be used along with a TV or a monitor.
• It is controller-based.

Steam Market

• Market where in-game items, cards, and skins can be used to trade and buy them.
• Such games as CS:GO, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 have economies.
• As it sells according to demand and the uniqueness of the product, the price can vary.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Pros

• Enormous amount of games of all genres.
• Sales synonymous and local price.
• Good community and support of mods.
• Remote play and family sharing.
• Two-factor authentication.

Cons

• At times customer support is slow.
• Refund policy is rather generous, but contains some restrictions (e.g. less than 2 hours of playtime, less than 14 days since purchase).

Steam Refund Policy

• • Less than 2 hrs of play
  • Demanded within two weeks of buying

• Games, DLCs and bundles (and a few exceptions).
• Allows the user to test-drive games.

Steam by Numbers (2024)

• More than 50,000 games on the platform.
• Existing consumers: 120+ million monthly
• Maximum users at the same time: 30 million +

Most played games:

• The second version of Counter-Strike
• Dota 2
• PUBG
• Baldur Gate 3
• Apex Legends

Alternatives

• Epic Games Store – The best-known destinations are free games and exclusivity.
• GOG (Good Old Games) – Classic games which are DRM-free.
• Origin (EA app) – Gives its attention to EA games.
• Ubisoft Connect – The game launcher of Ubisoft.
• Windows Store / Xbox Game Pass PC