As of July 2011[update], there are over 1,300 games available through Steam,[4] and over 30 million active user accounts.[5] Although Valve never releases sales figures, Stardock, the previous owner of competing platform Impulse, estimated that Steam has a 70% share of the digital distribution market for video games.[6]
Steam includes a digital storefront called the Steam Store, through which users can purchase computer gamesdigitally. Once purchased, software is permanently attached to the user's Steam account (however "gifting" of games to other accounts is possible). Content is delivered using a proprietary file transfer protocol from an international network of servers.[7] While logged in, games can be downloaded to any computer that has the Steam client installed. Steam includes a server browser for users to search, filter, bookmark, and join Internet and LANservers for games that integrate with it. It can be accessed from the desktop or from a games menu system, and queries friends to show a list of servers to which a user's contacts are connected. Currently accounts cannot be merged or deleted by their creators.[8]
Once patches for a user's installed software have been uploaded to Steam, they are applied the next time the user logs in or launches a game. Once a patch has been applied, it cannot be removed unless a patch is released which reverses the previous one. Individual games can be set to only update when requested by the user. Steam requires games to be fully patched before they can be played online, however.[citation needed]
Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC), Valve's proprietary anti-cheat system, is available for online game servers to use. VAC-secured servers automatically detect users who are using cheats.[9]
The Steam interface allows for user-defined shortcuts to be added. In this way third-party mods, and games not purchased through the Steam Store, can use Steam features. Valve sponsors and distributes some mods for free,[11] and mods that use Steamworks can also use VAC, Friends, the server browser, and any Steam features supported by their parent game.
Multiplayer lobbies and matchmaking
Introduced in Left 4 Dead and made available through Steamworks, a lobby system allows for players to organize and agree on game settings before joining a server and a matchmaking system can automatically group players together based on a certain criteria.
On September 12, 2007, Valve released the Steam Community, a social network service that allows Steam users to communicate with each other on a many-to-many scale.[12] It is accessible from both the desktop (in a web browser or the Steam client) and through an "overlay" program that can be viewed on top of 3D-accelerated games. In January 2010, Valve reported that 10 million of the 25 million active Steam accounts had signed up to Steam Community.[13]
Notwithstanding privacy settings, a user's page includes some brief personal information, links to any friends' user pages, details of any games owned, the number of hours of playtime during the past two weeks, a 0–10 Steam Rating of activity,[14] and links to any groups of which the user is a member. Users can also receive a feed of their friends' actions, including groups joined, games purchased, and Steam Achievements earned.
File:New steam ui chat.pngAn IM conversation in Steam
Friends, Steam's instant messaging tool, supports both one-to-one and group conversations, held publicly or privately, and Peer-to-PeerVoIP. It provides extended information about what games each user is playing, allowing others to join their contacts in Steam-integrated multiplayer games.
On July 1, 2010,[15] Valve made an announcement about Steam Community being able to act as an OpenID provider, thus enabling authentication of user's SteamID without requiring them to enter their Steam username or password on any third-party site.[16]
Steam Cloud
Valve provides a service called Steam Cloud. For supported games, Steam Cloud stores various amounts of game data, such as keyboard shortcut settings and single-player game saves, on a central server. Any changes to relevant game files are uploaded to the main server, and newer files are automatically downloaded and used when a game is started.[17] Valve launched the service simultaneously with the release of Left 4 Dead, and the service now supports most newer Valve games.[18] It is one of the services offered to game developers through Steamworks. Users can individually disable Steam Cloud on a per-game and per-account basis.[19]
Downloadable content
Steam offers a framework for selling and distributing downloadable content (DLC) for games.[20] DLC, if available, is listed on the game's Store page. New DLC releases are listed alongside full games in the "New Releases" section on the storefront.
File system
Steam-integrated games are stored as single non-compressed archive files with the extension .gcf (an initialism for Game Cache File[21]). Steam allocates space on the user's hard disk for .gcf files before downloading in order to reduce fragmentation which may occur when downloading large files and performing disk access. Game Cache Files help to make games more portable, stop users from accidentally overwriting important files, allow for easy modification of resources, and allows for validation of content for errors.[22] For games that do not integrate, a 'No Cache File' system is provided. Here, a .ncf index file points to a directory of loose files somewhere else on the system.[23]
Retail boxed games
Users who buy selected boxed games sold at retail stores are required to register the game on Steam with the included CD key, which will then be attached to the user's Steam account in the same way as a digital purchase. The game will then act in every way like a digital copy. All of Valve's post-Steam games are sold in this fashion, as are a growing number of third party titles (most notably the Call of Duty series, from Modern Warfare 2 onward).[24]
Statistics collection
Steam collects and reports anonymous metrics of its usage, stability, and performance.[25] With the exception of Valve's hardware survey,[26] most collection occurs without notifying the user or offering an opt-out. Some of these metrics are available publicly, such as what games are being played or statistics on player progress in certain games.[27] Valve has also used information from these statistics to justify implementing new features in Steam, such as the addition of a defragmentation option for game caches.[28] Valve announced on July 15, 2010 that in conjunction with collecting hardware information in Steam's opt-in hardware surveys, they would begin collecting a list of the user's installed software as well.[29]
Browser
Steam includes a tabbed Webkit based browser which can be accessed in-game.
Steam Guard
Steam Guard functionality was added in March 2011 to the Steam client. Steam Guard takes advantage of the identity protection provided with Intel's second generation Core processors and compatible motherboard hardware to allow the user to lock their account to a specific computer. Once locked, activity by that account on other computers must first be approved of by the user on the locked computer. This feature is aimed to prevent Steam accounts from being hijacked by malicious users. Support APIs for Steam Guard are available to third-party developers through Steamworks.[30]
An alternative option available to users interested in using Steam Guard is two-factor authentication through the use of a one-time verification code sent to a verified email address associated with the Steam account. Many of Steam Guard's features will work the same with the only real difference being the method of authentication.[31]
Steamworks
On January 28, 2008, Valve released Steamworks, a free development and publishing suite (granted at Valve's discretion or with an Unreal Engine 3 license)[32][33][33] that gives developers access to every component of Steam.[34] Specifically, Steamworks provides means of games to integrate with the Steam client, including networking and player authentication tools for both server and peer-to-peer multiplayer games, matchmaking services, support for Steam community friends and groups, Steam statistics and achievements, integrated voice communications, and Steam Cloud support; the API also provides for anti-cheating devices and digital copy management.[34] Steamworks can be combined with a standard Steam distribution agreement, the latter of which gives it advertising space in the Steam store but also provides Valve with a share of revenue; Audiosurf became the first game to be released in this way in February 2008.[35] Several major games have since implemented Steamworks, including Aliens vs. Predator, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Fallout: New Vegas, Unreal Tournament 3, and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II. Most games using the Steamworks API also opt for a presence in the Steam store. The only known exceptions (since Valve does not make announcements about such games) are NBA 2K9,[36] and Supreme Commander 2 for Mac OS X.[37]
PlayStation 3
Portal 2's PlayStation 3 release included several Steamworks features, including cross-platform instant messaging, Steam Cloud for saved games, and the ability for PS3 owners to download Portal 2 from Steam (Windows or Mac) at no extra cost. Cross-platform play is also supported.[3] Valve said they "hope to expand upon this foundation with more Steam features and functionality in DLC and future content releases".
Free to Play Games
In addition to their current business model of pay-to-play games, the service launched a new "free to play" service with four titles, including Spiral Knights, Global Agenda, Champions Online, and Valve's 2007 best seller Team Fortress 2. These games became free to download to anyone who registered with Steam and could purchase in-game items via credit card, Paypal or the Steam Wallet.
Market share and impact
Sales figures for Steam have not been released by Valve. Forbes reports that Steam sales contribute 50 to 70% of the $4 billion market for downloaded PC games, and that Steam offers games producers gross margins of 70% of purchase price, compared with 30% at retail.[38]
Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale sold more than 100,000 units, which its localization distributor, Carpe Fulgur, attribute in part to Steam and its sales.[39]Magicka sold 30,000 copies on its day of release in January 2011,[40] and went on to sell 200,000 in 17 days.[41]Garry's Mod sold 312,541 in its first two years[42] (with yearly sales growth of 33%[43]).
History
Beginnings
Prior to Steam, Valve had problems releasing updates for their online games, such as Counter-Strike, wherein a patch would result in the disconnection of the larger part of the online user base for several days. They decided to make a platform which would update games automatically, and implement better anti-piracy and anti-cheat measures. Valve originally approached several companies—including Microsoft, Yahoo!, and RealNetworks—to build a client with these features, but all turned them down.[44]
Steam's development began at an uncertain date prior to 2002. Working titles included "Grid" and "Gazelle".[45] It was revealed to the public on 22 March 2002 at the Game Developers Conference, and was presented purely as a distribution network.[46] To demonstrate the ease of integrating Steam to a game, Relic Entertainment had created a special version of Impossible Creatures.[47] The game was ultimately not released on Steam, however.
The Steam client was first made available for download in 2002 during the beta period for Counter-Strike 1.6. At that time, its primary function was streamlining the patch process common in online computer games. Installation and use of Steam was mandatory for Counter-Strike 1.6 beta testers, but Steam remained an optional component. 80,000–300,000 gamers tested the system when it was in its beta period.[48][50] The system and web site choked under the strain of thousands of users simultaneously attempting to play the latest version of Counter-Strike.[51] In 2004, the World Opponent Network was shut down and replaced by Steam. The online features of games which required World Opponent Network ceased to work unless they were converted to Steam.
Around this time, Valve began negotiating contracts with several publishers and independent developers to release their products on Steam. Rag Doll Kung Fu and Darwinia are two examples, and Canadian publisher Strategy First announced in December 2005 that it would be partnering with Valve for digital distribution of current and future titles.[52] In 2002, Gabe Newell the head of Valve said he was offering mod teams a game engine license and distribution over Steam for $995.[48]
In 2005, the first third-party games began to appear on Steam. Valve also announced that Steam was starting to be profitable, if only due to some highly successful Valve games. Although digital distribution was still no match to retail in terms of sales volume, profit margins for Valve and developers were far bigger on Steam than at retail.[53]
On 23 February 2010, Valve released a public beta for a major update to the Steam client.[55][56] The update added a new "Library" panel and the rendering engine for the Store and Community pages—including the in-game overlay engine—was changed from Internet Explorer's Trident engine to a WebKit implementation. It was launched on 26 April.[57]
On March 8, 2010, Valve announced that Steam was in development for Mac OS X.[58] Prior to this announcement, it teased the release through several images emailed to Mac community and gaming web sites featuring Valve game characters with Apple logos or featured in parodies of old Macintosh advertisements.[59][60] In one case, Valve developed a full video homage to the 1984 Apple Macintosh commercial to announce the availability of Half-Life 2 and its episodes to the service, with some concept images for the video previously used to tease the Mac Steam client.[61]
File:Steam mac 1984 homage.jpgPrior to Steam's Mac OS X release, Valve released teaser ads that paid homage to famous Apple advertisements, such as the 1984 commercial.
Originally planned for release in April 2010, Steam for Mac OS X was launched worldwide on May 12, 2010, following a successful beta period.[62] In addition to the Steam client, several features were made available to developers to take advantage of a cross-platform Source engine and platform and network capabilities using Steamworks.[63] Through SteamPlay, the Mac OS X client allows players who have already purchased compatible products in the Windows version to re-download the Mac versions at no cost, allowing them to continue to play the game on the other platform; however some third party titles may require the user to purchase again to gain the cross-platform functionality.[64] The Steam Cloud is cross-platform compatible. Multiplayer games can also be cross-compatible, allowing Windows and Mac players to play with each other.[58]
Upon launch, over 50 games, most supporting the SteamPlay feature, were available for the client. As part of the launch, Valve offered both PC and Mac users to download Portal for free during the first two weeks of launch.[65][66] For some weeks after the Mac client launch, Valve expanded the catalog of offerings for the service on a weekly basis, with each week highlighting a new feature of the service.[67] Valve has released the native Mac OS X, OpenGL versions of Left 4 Dead, Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Portal, and Half-Life 2 and its episodes following Steam's release.[68]Portal 2, released in 2011, was the first Valve title simultaneously released on both the Windows and Mac versions of Steam.[69]
Linux
Based on Valve's website "There are no plans to create a native Linux Steam Client at this time."[70] Following the announcement of Steam for Mac OS X, Linux benchmark and news website Phoronix found Linux-related references in a beta release of the Mac Steam client. This was followed later by the discovery of files for an incomplete Linux client available for download on Valve's own web servers.[71][72] On May 12, 2010, The Daily Telegraph claimed that Valve had confirmed that a Linux client was planned to be released "in the coming months", but gave no other details.[73] This claim was then repeated on other websites as hearsay evidence.[74] Valve has since denied working on a Linux version of Steam.[75]
Steam is compatible with newest Wine layer, and most games operate correctly, although some run slow and require external libraries.[76][77]
PlayStation 3
At E3 2010, Gabe Newell, the managing director of Valve, announced that Steamworks would arrive on the PlayStation 3 with Portal 2. It will provide automatic updates, community support, downloadable content and other unannounced features.[78]
Steam Translation Server
In March 2010 Valve launched the Steam Translation Server, which is a service that allows Steam users to help in the translation of Steam and a selected library of Steam games. The service was undergoing a closed beta until October 2010. Since then, every Steam user has the ability to apply as a translator.
Webmoney support
On 18 December 2010, Valve officially launched support for Webmoney payment system. It can be used from the following countries: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates.[79]
Criticism
Regional restrictions and pricing
File:Steam regional limitation.PNGSome games purchased in one region become unplayable if user moves to another.
Steam allows developers and publishers to change prices and restrict game availability depending on the user's location. This can cause some games to cost more than retail prices, despite digital distribution removing the costs of manufacturing, packaging, design, and logistics.[80][81][82]
Valve also restricts game registration and playability to the buyer's country of residence. One example of this regional restriction can be seen where Valve uses Steam's authentication to prevent boxed versions of their games sold in Russia and Thailand, which are priced significantly lower than elsewhere, from being used outside those territories.[83]
Steam offers products in three currencies: US Dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling. The currency is selected automatically based on the user's location, and cannot be changed. Steam has been heavily criticized by European users for pricing games much higher in Eurozone countries.[84]
Authentication
It is necessary to authenticate every Steam game online, whether purchased via Steam itself or installed via a retail disc, the first time it is played.[85] After the initial authentication, an offline mode allows games to be run without being connected to your Steam account.
According to the Steam Subscriber Agreement, Steam's availability is not guaranteed and Valve is under no legal obligation to release an update disabling the authentication system in the event that Steam becomes permanently unavailable.[86]
^"Steam rating". Valve Developer Community. Retrieved November 3, 2007.
^TF2 Team (1 July 2010). "Steam Web APIs". Team Fortress 2 blog. Retrieved 2 July 2010. ((cite web)): Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"Digital distribution: Keep the money and run?". The Hollywood Reporter. 13 June 2005. Archived from the original on 14 June 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2010. Valve won't talk about how many units it's sold through Steam, but Lombardi describes the venture as being "extremely successful. Even though the lion's share of our sales is still at retail, the digital units are wildly more profitable for us."
