Tag: Steam

Steam Powered aka the Steam Game Store

Steam, developed by Valve Corporation, stands as a pivotal digital distribution service and storefront in the gaming industry. Initially launched in September 2003 to automate game updates for Valve’s titles, Steam expanded its reach to include third-party games by late 2005. Boasting features like game server matchmaking with Valve Anti-Cheat, social networking, and game streaming, Steam offers a comprehensive gaming ecosystem.

The Steam client incorporates automation for game updates, cloud storage for progress, and community-oriented features such as direct messaging and a virtual collectible marketplace. Steamworks, an API released in 2008, empowers developers to integrate Steam functions, including digital rights management, into their games. Widening its compatibility, Steam was released for macOS in 2010, Linux in 2012, and introduced mobile apps for iOS and Android in 2012.

The Store

Steam’s storefront extends beyond games, offering digital content and Valve gaming hardware, encompassing productivity software, game soundtracks, videos, and the virtual reality headset Valve Index. As of 2021, Steam hosted over 34,000 games, amassing a user base of over 132 million monthly active users. Its monumental success led to the introduction of Steam Machines, SteamOS, Steam Controller, and Steam Link devices, culminating in the 2022 release of the handheld Steam Deck, designed specifically for running Steam games. Steam’s influence is not just confined to game distribution but has profoundly shaped the gaming landscape with its innovative hardware ventures.