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Valve Announces New Steam Family Feature

Mar 19, 2024 12:35 PM

Valve has officially introduced Steam Families, a new feature now available in the Steam Beta Client, designed to enhance game sharing and management for family members. This function allows up to six family members to share their game libraries with one another, making it possible for users to access and play games owned by other family members. Steam Families ensures that each user retains ownership of their purchased titles, along with individual save progress, achievements, Steam Workshop content, and more. Developers retain control over which games can be shared within the family library, and multiple copies of a game are required if family members wish to play the same title simultaneously.

What are the benefits of using Steam Families for sharing my game library?

The key benefits of using Steam Families include the ability to share your Steam game library with up to five other family members. This means they can enjoy the games you own without needing to purchase additional copies. Each member can play the games with their own save files and earn their own achievements, ensuring a personal gaming experience while also fostering family sharing and connection.

Steam, an online video game distribution service developed by Valve, has been pivotal in digital gaming distribution since its launch in 2003. Steam offers digital rights management (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking services. By allowing gamers to buy and download games online, it revolutionized the gaming industry. Popular titles available on Steam vary from indie games to major AAA releases, providing a wide range of genres and experiences for the diverse gaming community. Steam also supports user-generated content through Steam Workshop, offers gaming communities through Steam Groups, and a platform for in-game communication.



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Jordan Keats

Jordan Keats is a former professional gamer turned journalist, whose competitive background gives them a unique perspective on esports and multiplayer games. Jordan's expertise in strategy and game mechanics is unmatched, offering readers a deeper understing.

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Rolling R!ck Rolling R!ck commented on: 2024-03-19 12:48:03
This could definitely make game sharing easier for families and friends who share a library of games. It's a convenient way to enjoy each other's game collections without the hassle of purchasing additional copies, while still maintaining individual progress and achievements.
N3rdo N3rdo commented on: 2024-03-19 12:42:03
Valve's introduction of Steam Families is a pretty cool move for those looking to share their game libraries with family members. It's a nifty feature that promotes gaming together and allows everyone to enjoy their own save progress and achievements. Plus, it's a smart way to get more mileage out of your game collection without having to rebuy titles.
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