Steam: Difference between revisions

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{{website|wppage=Steam (service)}}
{{trope}}
[[File:Steam 2016 logo black.svg|thumb|200px|The 2016 Steam Logo]]
[[File:steam_logo_9107.gif|frame]]


{{quote|''"Oh, yeah, I '''love''' Steam! I just hate the pipes..."''|'''[[Left 4 Dead (Video Game)|Francis]]'''}}
{{quote|''"Oh, yeah, I '''love''' Steam! I just hate the pipes..."''|'''Francis'''|[[Left 4 Dead]]}}


[http://store.steampowered.com/ Steam] is the most popular [[Digital Distribution]] platform for PC games. Created by [[Valve Software (Creator)|Valve Software]] in 2004 to distribute and integrate their own games cheaply, it has grown from its shaky and buggy beginnings into the service that PC gamers can use for their online middleware needs. (Provided you have a decently fast internet connection and a way of buying online.) It also features a messaging system, an online multiplayer platform, [[Cosmetic Award|Achievements]], and an in-game Web browser, making it something like the PC equivalent of [[X Box]] [[Xbox 360|Live]], except free, and marketed at an older demographic. And like Live, it has since gone cross-platform, supporting MacOS X in addition to Windows.
'''[https://store.steampowered.com/ Steam]''' is the most popular [[Digital Distribution]] platform for PC games. Created by [[Valve Corporation]] in 2004 to distribute and integrate their own games cheaply, it has grown from its shaky and buggy beginnings into the service that PC gamers can use for their online middleware needs. (Provided you have a decently fast internet connection and a way of buying online.) It also features a messaging system, an online multiplayer platform, [[Cosmetic Award|Achievements]], and an in-game Web browser, making it something like the PC equivalent of [[Xbox]] [[Xbox 360|Live]], except free, and marketed at an older demographic. And like Live, it has since gone cross-platform, supporting MacOS X in addition to Windows.


All of Valve's PC games since ''[[Half-Life 2 (Video Game)|Half-Life 2]]'' have required Steam and the retail versions come with it. The service is free to download as well, and allows gamers to integrate their games into the service, as well as download games that support the service natively.
All of Valve's PC games since ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' have required Steam and the retail versions come with it. The service is free to download as well, and allows gamers to integrate their games into the service, as well as download games that support the service natively.


Having the full support of pretty much every major publisher that makes PC titles except Blizzard, Maxis (except for ''[[Spore (Video Game)|Spore]]'' and ''[[Sim City]]'') and recently [[Electronic Arts]], the service makes it easier to just download and play PC games, due to having over one thousand titles available for download, many of which are classic games in their own right-and now it boasts more than 30 million unique users. Not bad for a company that made its first game 12 years ago.
Having the full support of pretty much every major publisher that makes PC titles except [[Blizzard]], Maxis (except for ''[[Spore]]'' and ''[[SimCity]]'') and [[Electronic Arts]] (who have their own [[Digital Distribution]] platform, [[Origin (EA)|Origin]]), the service makes it easier to just download and play PC games, due to having over one thousand titles available for download, many of which are classic games in their own right-and now it boasts more than 30 million unique users. Not bad for a company that made its first game 12 years ago.


The program has its own [[Hatedom]], partly thanks to the service's self-imposed [[DRM]], but also due to surprisingly high prices, which Steam circumvents by offering weekly discounts on specific products. Further, as [[Digital Distribution]] has become more popular, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131225210755/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_245/7285-Steam-A-Monopoly-In-the-Making some of the ways Steam does things have proven unfriendly to competition]. Ironically, the reaction to [[Electronic Arts]]' digital service ''Origin'' was highly negative, with a ''ton'' of people wishing they just stuck to Steam, though this is largely in part due to majority opinion that Origin is not only a vastly inferior service for a variety of reasons (it can be argued that Steam's success is because it provides a variety of useful services nobody else provides), but also due to Orgin's [[Internet Backdraft|highly controversial]] terms of service.
Of course, we have a Steam Group, [http://steamcommunity.com/groups/tropers here]. Feel free to join.

The program has its own [[Hatedom]], partly thanks to the service's self-imposed [[DRM]], but also due to surprisingly high prices, which Steam circumvents by offering weekly discounts on specific products. Further, as [[Digital Distribution]] has become more popular, [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_245/7285-Steam-A-Monopoly-In-the-Making some of the ways Steam does things have proven unfriendly to competition]. Ironically, the reaction to [[Electronic Arts]]' digital service ''Origin'' was highly negative, with a ''ton'' of people wishing they just stuck to Steam, though this is largely in part due to majority opinion that Origin is not only a vastly inferior service for a variety of reasons (it can be argued that Steam's success is because it provides a variety of useful services nobody else provides), but also due to Orgin's [[Internet Backdraft|highly controversial]] terms of service.


In 2010, the interface underwent a major overhaul, designed to coincide with the release of Steam for the Mac. [[Your Mileage May Vary|Opinions]] [[Internet Backdraft|are]] [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|mixed]].
In 2010, the interface underwent a major overhaul, designed to coincide with the release of Steam for the Mac. [[Your Mileage May Vary|Opinions]] [[Internet Backdraft|are]] [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|mixed]].


[[I Thought It Meant|Not related to water vapor.]] [[Tropes That Will Never Happen|That will never happen.]]
[[I Thought It Meant|Not related to water vapor]], or that [[Peter Gabriel]] song, or [[steampunk]].

----
{{Tropelist|Tropes Pertaining to Steam Include}}
=== Games and series for download from Steam include: ===
* [[Allegedly Free Game]]: Some of the free games in the Steam store are this.
* ''[[Aaaaa a Aaaa AA Aaa AAA Aa AAAAAA Reckless Disregard For Gravity (Video Game)|Aaaaa a Aaaa AA Aaa AAA Aa AAAAAA Reckless Disregard For Gravity]]''
* [[Digital Distribution]]
* ''[[Alan Wake (Video Game)|Alan Wake]]''
* [[Expy]]: Of [[Blizzard Battle.Net]].
* ''[[Alice Madness Returns (Video Game)|Alice Madness Returns]]''
* [[Going Mobile]]: Steam has an official mobile app on Iphones, android, and Windows Phones.
* ''[[Alliance of Valiant Arms (Video Game)|Alliance of Valiant Arms]]''
** Inverted, this is primarily so that gamers can have an extra layer of security, catch the latest news/see what new games arrived, and serious stuff like that.
* ''[[Alien Hallway (Video Game)|Alien Hallway]]''
* [[No Export for You]]: Some of Valve's games, like [[Counter-Strike: Global Offensive]] and [[Team Fortress 2]], can only be bought and/or download for free only in Steam.
* ''[[Alien Swarm (Video Game)|Alien Swarm]]''
* [[Retro Gaming]]: In the vast library of Steam's, there's a lot of retro games.
* ''[[America's Army (Video Game)|Americas Army]]''
** Inverted. Like with [[GOG.com|GOG]]'s case, some of the games only have this art style, but are release just recently.
* ''[[Amnesia the Dark Descent (Video Game)|Amnesia the Dark Descent]]''

* ''[[And Yet It Moves (Video Game)|And Yet It Moves]]''
{{examples|Games and series for download from Steam include:}}
* ''[[ARMA (Video Game)|ARMA]]'' series
* ''[[AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity]]''
* ''[[Assassin's Creed (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed]]'' series
** ''[[Assassin's Creed I (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed I]]''
* ''[[The Adventures of Sam & Max: Freelance Police]]''
* ''[[Alan Wake]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed II (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed II]]''
* ''[[Alice: Madness Returns]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Brotherhood (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]''
* ''[[Alliance of Valiant Arms]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Revelations (Video Game)|Assassin's Creed Revelations]]''
* ''[[Audiosurf (Video Game)|Audiosurf]]''
* ''[[Alien Hallway]]''
* ''[[Avadon (Video Game)|Avadon]]''
* ''[[Alien Swarm]]''
* ''[[America's Army|Americas Army]]''
* ''[[A Valley Without Wind (Video Game)|A Valley Without Wind]]''
* ''[[Back to The Future (Video Game)|Back to The Future]]''
* ''[[Amnesia: The Dark Descent|Amnesia the Dark Descent]]''
* ''[[Bastion (Video Game)|Bastion]]''
* ''[[And Yet It Moves]]''
* ''[[ARMA: Armed Assault|ARMA]]'' series
* ''[[Battlefield (Video Game)|Battlefield]]'' series<ref>Except ''[[Battlefield 3 (Video Game)|Battlefield 3]]'' (which EA has made exclusive to their competing Origin service) and a few gimmick titles.</ref>
* ''[[Assassin's Creed]]'' series
** ''[[Battlefield Bad Company (Video Game)|Battlefield Bad Company]]''
* ''[[Beat Hazard (Video Game)|Beat Hazard]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed (video game)|Assassin's Creed I]]''
* ''[[Bejeweled (Video Game)|Bejeweled]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood|Assassin's Creed Brotherhood]]''
* ''[[Beyond Good and Evil (Video Game)|Beyond Good and Evil]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
* ''[[The Binding of Isaac (Video Game)|The Binding of Isaac]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
* ''[[Bionic Commando (Video Game)|Bionic Commando]] [[Updated Rerelease|Rearmed]]''
* ''[[Bioshock (Video Game)|Bioshock]]'' series
** ''[[Assassin's Cread IV: Black Flag]]''
** ''[[Bio Shock 1 (Video Game)|Bio Shock 1]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Rogue]]''
** ''[[Bio Shock 2 (Video Game)|Bio Shock 2]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Unity]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Syndicate]]''
** ''[[Bio Shock Infinite (Video Game)|Bio Shock Infinite]]''
* ''[[Blade Kitten (Webcomic)|Blade Kitten]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Origins]]''
** ''[[Assassin's Creed Odyssey]]''
* ''[[Bloodline Champions (Video Game)|Bloodline Champions]]''
* ''[[Borderlands (Video Game)|Borderlands]]''
* ''[[Audiosurf]]''
* ''[[Avadon]]''
** ''[[Borderlands 2 (Video Game)|Borderlands 2]]''
* ''[[Braid (Video Game)|Braid]]''
* ''[[A Valley Without Wind]]''
* ''[[Brawl Busters (Video Game)|Brawl Busters]]''
* ''[[Back to the Future: The Game|Back to The Future]]''
* ''[[Bastion]]''
* ''[[Breath of Death VII (Video Game)|Breath of Death VII]]''
* ''[[Battlefield (series)|Battlefield]]'' series<ref>Except ''[[Battlefield 3]]'' (which EA has made exclusive to their competing [[Origin (EA)|Origin]] service) and a few gimmick titles.</ref>
* ''[[Brink (Video Game)|Brink]]''
** ''[[Battlefield: Bad Company]]''
* ''[[Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth (Video Game)|Call of Cthulhu Dark Corners of the Earth]]''
* ''[[Beat Hazard]]''
* ''[[Call of Duty (Video Game)|Call of Duty]]'' series
* ''[[Bejeweled]]''
** ''[[Modern Warfare (Video Game)|Modern Warfare]]'' series
** ''[[Call of Duty Black Ops (Video Game)|Call of Duty Black Ops]]''
* ''[[Beyond Good & Evil (video game)|Beyond Good and Evil]]''
** ''[[Call of Duty Black Ops 2 (Video Game)|Call of Duty Black Ops 2]]''
* ''[[The Binding of Isaac]]''
* ''[[Cave Story (Video Game)|Cave Story]]+''
* ''[[Bionic Commando]] [[Updated Rerelease|Rearmed]]''
* ''[[BioShock (series)]]'' series
* ''[[Champions Online (Video Game)|Champions Online]]: Free For All''
* ''[[Chantelise (Video Game)|Chantelise]]''
** ''[[BioShock]]''
* ''[[Chime (Video Game)|Chime]]''
** ''[[BioShock 2]]''
** ''[[BioShock Infinite]]''
* ''[[City of Heroes (Video Game)|City of Heroes]]''
* ''[[Civilization (Video Game)|Civilization]]''
* ''[[Blade Kitten]]''
* ''[[Bloodline Champions]]''
* ''[[Command and Conquer (Video Game)|Command and Conquer]]'' franchise:
* ''[[Borderlands]]''
** ''[[Command and Conquer Tiberium Wars (Video Game)|Command and Conquer Tiberium Wars]]''
** ''[[Borderlands 2]]''
* ''[[Braid]]''
* ''[[Brawl Busters]]''
* ''[[Breath of Death VII]]''
* ''[[Brink (video game)|Brink]]''
* ''[[Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth]]''
* ''[[Call of Duty]]'' series
** ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare|Modern Warfare]]'' series
** ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops]]''
** ''[[Call of Duty: Black Ops II]]''
* ''[[Cave Story]]+''
* ''[[Champions Online]]: Free For All''
* ''[[Chantelise]]''
* ''[[Chime (video game)|Chime]]''
* ''[[City of Heroes]]''
* ''[[Civilization]]''
* ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' franchise:
** ''[[Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars]]''
** ''Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath''
** ''Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath''
** ''[[Command and Conquer Tiberian Twilight (Video Game)|Command and Conquer Tiberian Twilight]]''
** ''[[Command and Conquer Tiberian Twilight]]''
** ''[[Command and Conquer Red Alert 3 (Video Game)|Command and Conquer Red Alert 3]]''
** ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3]]''
*** ''Red Alert 3 -- Uprising''
*** ''Red Alert 3 -- Uprising''
* ''[[Commander Keen (Video Game)|Commander Keen]]''
* ''[[Commander Keen]]''
* ''[[Company of Heroes (Video Game)|Company of Heroes]]''
* ''[[Company of Heroes]]''
* ''[[Costume Quest (Video Game)|Costume Quest]]''
* ''[[Costume Quest]]''
* ''[[Counter-Strike (Video Game)|Counter-Strike]]''
* ''[[Counter-Strike]]''
* ''[[Crea Vures (Video Game)|Crea Vures]]''
* ''[[Crea Vures]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Crime Craft Bleedout|Crime Craft Bleedout]]''
* ''[[Crime Craft Bleedout]]''
* ''[[Critical Mass 2011 (Video Game)|Critical Mass 2011]]''
* ''[[Critical Mass 2011 (video game)|Critical Mass 2011]]''
* ''[[Crusader Kings (Video Game)|Crusader Kings]] II''
* ''[[Crusader Kings]] II''
* ''[[Crysis (Video Game)|Crysis]]''
* ''[[Crysis (series)|Crysis]]''
* ''[[Cthulhu Saves the World (Video Game)|Cthulhu Saves the World]]''
* ''[[Cthulhu Saves the World]]''
* ''[[Culpa Innata (Visual Novel)|Culpa Innata]]''
* ''[[Culpa Innata]]''
* ''[[Dark Forces Saga (Video Game)|Dark Forces Saga]]''
* ''[[Star Wars: Dark Forces|Dark Forces Saga]]''
* ''[[Dark Messiah (Video Game)|Dark Messiah]]''
* ''[[Dark Messiah of Might and Magic|Dark Messiah]]''
* ''[[Dark Souls (Video Game)|Dark Souls]] - [[Updated Rerelease|Prepare To Die Edition]]'' (Coming Soon!)
* ''[[Dark Souls]] - [[Updated Rerelease|Prepare To Die Edition]]'' (Coming Soon!)
* ''[[Darwinia (Video Game)|Darwinia]]''
* ''[[Darwinia]]''
* ''[[Dawn of War (Video Game)|Dawn of War]]''
* ''[[Dawn of War]]''
* ''[[DC Universe Online (Video Game)|DC Universe Online]]''
* ''[[DC Universe Online]]''
* ''[[Dead Island (Video Game)|Dead Island]]''
* ''[[Dead Island]]''
* ''[[Dead Rising 2 (Video Game)|Dead Rising 2]]''
* ''[[Dead Rising 2]]''
** ''Dead Rising 2: Off The Record''
** ''Dead Rising 2: Off The Record''
* ''[[Deadly 30 (Video Game)|Deadly 30]]''
* ''[[Deadly 30]]''
* ''[[DEFCON (Video Game)|DEFCON]]''
* ''[[DEFCON]]''
* ''[[Deus Ex (Video Game)|Deus Ex]]''
* ''[[Deus Ex]]''
** ''[[Deus Ex Invisible War (Video Game)|Deus Ex Invisible War]]''
** ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War|Deus Ex Invisible War]]''
** ''[[Deus Ex Human Revolution (Video Game)|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]''
** ''[[Deus Ex: Human Revolution|Deus Ex Human Revolution]]''
* ''[[Devil May Cry (Video Game)|Devil May Cry]] 3'' and ''4''
* ''[[Devil May Cry]] 3'' and ''4''
* ''[[The Dig (Video Game)|The Dig]]''
* ''[[The Dig]]''
* ''[[Doom (Video Game)|Doom]]''
* ''[[Doom (series)|Doom]]''
* ''[[Dota 2 (Video Game)|Dota 2]]''
* ''[[Dota 2]]''
* ''[[Dragon Age (Video Game)|Dragon Age]]''
* ''[[Dragon Age]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Drawn The Painted Tower|Drawn The Painted Tower]]''
* ''[[Drawn: The Painted Tower]]''
* ''[[Duke Nukem Forever (Video Game)|Duke Nukem Forever]]''
* ''[[Duke Nukem Forever]]''
* ''[[Dungeon Defenders (Video Game)|Dungeon Defenders]]''
* ''[[Dungeon Defenders]]''
* ''[[Dungeons of Dredmor (Video Game)|Dungeons of Dredmor]]''
* ''[[Dungeons of Dredmor]]''
* ''[[Dustforce (Video Game)|Dustforce]]''
* ''[[Dustforce]]''
* ''[[Dwarfs (Video Game)|Dwarfs]]''
* ''[[Dwarfs]]''
* ''[[Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon (Video Game)|Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon]]''
* ''[[Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon|Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon]]''
* ''[[Earthworm Jim (Video Game)|Earthworm Jim]]''
* ''[[Earthworm Jim (video game)|Earthworm Jim]]''
* ''[[Ecco the Dolphin (Video Game)|Ecco the Dolphin]]''
* ''[[Ecco the Dolphin (series)|Ecco the Dolphin]]''
** ''Ecco Jr.''
** ''Ecco Jr.''
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls (Video Game)|The Elder Scrolls]]'' series
* ''[[The Elder Scrolls]]'' series
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind (Video Game)|The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind]]''
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind]]''
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion (Video Game)|The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion]]''
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion]]''
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim (Video Game)|The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim]]''
** ''[[The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim]]''
* ''[[Empire At War (Video Game)|Empire At War]]''
* ''[[Empire At War]]''
* ''[[End War (Video Game)|End War]]''
* ''[[EndWar]]''
* ''[[Europa Universalis (Video Game)|Europa Universalis]] III''
* ''[[Europa Universalis]] III''
* ''[[Ever Quest II (Video Game)|Ever Quest II]]''
* ''[[EverQuest II]]''
* ''[[Eversion (Video Game)|Eversion]]''
* ''[[Eversion]]''
* ''[[EYE Divine Cybermancy (Video Game)|EYE Divine Cybermancy]]''
* ''[[E.Y.E.: Divine Cybermancy|EYE Divine Cybermancy]]''
* ''[[Fable I (Video Game)|Fable - The Lost Chapters]]''
* ''[[Fable (video game)|Fable - The Lost Chapters]]''
* ''[[Fable III (Video Game)|Fable III]]''
* ''[[Fable III]]''
* ''[[Fallout (Video Game)|Fallout]]'' series
* ''[[Fallout]]'' series
** ''[[Fallout 1 (Video Game)|Fallout 1]]''
** ''[[Fallout 1]]''
** ''[[Fallout 2 (Video Game)|Fallout 2]]''
** ''[[Fallout 2]]''
** ''[[Fallout 3 (Video Game)|Fallout 3]]''
** ''[[Fallout 3]]''
** ''[[Fallout New Vegas (Video Game)|Fallout New Vegas]]''
** ''[[Fallout: New Vegas]]''
* ''[[Fate of the World (Video Game)|Fate of the World]]''
* ''[[Fate of the World]]''
* ''[[First Encounter Assault Recon (Video Game)|F.E.A.R.]]'' franchise
* ''[[F.E.A.R.]]'' franchise
* ''[[Final Fantasy XI (Video Game)|Final Fantasy XI]]''
* ''[[Final Fantasy XI]]''
* ''[[Flat Out (Video Game)|Flat Out]]''
* ''[[Flat Out]]''
** ''FlatOut 2''
** ''FlatOut 2''
** ''<nowiki>FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage</nowiki>''
** ''<nowiki>FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage</nowiki>''
** ''<nowiki>FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction</nowiki>''
** ''<nowiki>FlatOut 3: Chaos & Destruction</nowiki>''
* ''[[The Force Unleashed (Video Game)|The Force Unleashed]]''
* ''[[Star Wars: The Force Unleashed|The Force Unleashed]]''
* ''[[Fortune Summoners (Video Game)|Fortune Summoners]]''
* ''[[Fortune Summoners]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Forsaken World|Forsaken World]]''
* ''[[Forsaken World]]''
* ''[[Front Mission (Video Game)|Front Mission]]: Evolved''
* ''[[Front Mission]]: Evolved''
* ''[[Frozen Synapse (Video Game)|Frozen Synapse]]''
* ''[[Frozen Synapse]]''
* ''[[Garrys Mod (Video Game)|Garrys Mod]]''
* ''[[Garry's Mod|Garrys Mod]]''
* ''[[Gemini Rue (Video Game)|Gemini Rue]]''
* ''[[Gemini Rue]]''
* ''[[Geometry Wars (Video Game)|Geometry Wars]]: Retro Evolved''
* ''[[Geometry Wars]]: Retro Evolved''
* ''[[Ghost Recon (Video Game)|Ghost Recon]]'' series
* ''[[Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon|Ghost Recon]]'' series
* ''[[Gish (Video Game)|Gish]]''
* ''[[Gish]]''
* ''[[Global Agenda (Video Game)|Global Agenda]]''
* ''[[Global Agenda]]''
** ''Global Agenda: Free Agent''
** ''Global Agenda: Free Agent''
* ''[[Gotham City Impostors (Video Game)|Gotham City Impostors]]''
* ''[[Gotham City Impostors]]''
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' series
* ''[[Grand Theft Auto (series)|Grand Theft Auto]]'' series
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto Classic (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto]]''<ref>as part of the Classics bundle only</ref>
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto Classic|Grand Theft Auto]]''<ref>as part of the Classics bundle only</ref>
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto II (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto II]]''<ref>as part of the Classics bundle only</ref>
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto II]]''<ref>as part of the Classics bundle only</ref>
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto III (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto III]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto Vice City (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto Vice City]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto Vice City]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto San Andreas (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto San Andreas]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV (Video Game)|Grand Theft Auto IV]]''
** ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]''
* ''[[Gratuitous Space Battles (Video Game)|Gratuitous Space Battles]]''
* ''[[Gratuitous Space Battles]]''
* ''[[Guild Wars (Video Game)|Guild Wars]]''
* ''[[Guild Wars]]''
* ''[[Gundemonium Series (Video Game)|Gundemonium Series]]''
* ''[[Gundemonium Series]]''
* ''[[Guns of Icarus (Video Game)|Guns of Icarus]]''
* ''[[Guns of Icarus]]''
* ''[[Half-Life (Video Game)|Half-Life]]'' series
* ''[[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]]'' series
** ''[[Half-Life 1 (Video Game)|Half-Life 1]]''
** ''[[Half-Life (video game)|Half-Life 1]]''
** ''[[Half-Life 2 (Video Game)|Half-Life 2]]''
** ''[[Half-Life 2]]''
* ''[[Hard Reset (Video Game)|Hard Reset]]''
* ''[[Hard Reset]]''
* ''[[HAWX (Video Game)|HAWX]]''
* ''[[HAWX]]''
** ''H.A.W.X. 2''
** ''H.A.W.X. 2''
* ''[[Hearts of Iron (Video Game)|Hearts of Iron]] III''
* ''[[Hearts of Iron]] III''
* ''[[Heavy Weapon (Video Game)|Heavy Weapon]] Deluxe''
* ''[[Heavy Weapon]] Deluxe''
* ''[[Hegemony Series (Video Game)|Hegemony Gold]]''
* ''[[Hegemony Series|Hegemony Gold]]''
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic (Video Game)|Heroes of Might and Magic]] V''
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]] V''
* ''[[Hydrophobia (Video Game)|Hydrophobia]]: Prophecy''
* ''[[Hydrophobia (video game)|Hydrophobia]]: Prophecy''
* ''[[Il-2 Sturmovik (Video Game)|Il-2 Sturmovik]]'' series
* ''[[Il-2 Sturmovik]]'' series
** ''Il-2 Sturmovik: 1946''
** ''Il-2 Sturmovik: 1946''
** ''Il-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover''
** ''Il-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover''
* ''[[Indiana Jones and The Fate of Atlantis (Video Game)|Indiana Jones and The Fate of Atlantis]]''
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis]]''
* ''[[Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade (Video Game)|Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade]]''
* ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure|Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade]]''
* ''[[Iron Grip (Video Game)|Iron Grip]]: Marauders ''
* ''[[Iron Grip]]: Marauders ''
* ''[[Jade Empire (Video Game)|Jade Empire]]''
* ''[[Jade Empire]]''
* ''[[Jamestown Legend of the Lost Colony (Video Game)|Jamestown Legend of the Lost Colony]]''
* ''[[Jamestown: Legend of the Lost Colony]]''
* ''[[Janes Information Group|Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters]]''
* ''[[Jane's Information Group|Jane's Advanced Strike Fighters]]''
* ''[[Jolly Rover (Video Game)|Jolly Rover]]''
* ''[[Jolly Rover]]''
* ''[[Jurassic Park the Game (Video Game)|Jurassic Park the Game]]''
* ''[[Jurassic Park: The Game|Jurassic Park the Game]]''
* ''[[Just Cause (Video Game)|Just Cause]]''
* ''[[Just Cause (video game)|Just Cause]]''
* ''[[Killing Floor (Video Game)|Killing Floor]]''
* ''[[Killing Floor]]''
* ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning (Video Game)|Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning]]''
* ''[[Kings Bounty (Video Game)|Kings Bounty]]''
* ''[[Kings Bounty]]''
* ''[[Knights of the Old Republic (Video Game)|Knights of the Old Republic]]''
* ''[[Knights of the Old Republic (video game)|Knights of the Old Republic]]''
* ''[[LA Noire (Video Game)|LA Noire]]''
* ''[[L.A. Noire]]''
* ''[[The Last Remnant (Video Game)|The Last Remnant]]''
* ''[[The Last Remnant]]''
* ''[[Left 4 Dead (Video Game)|Left 4 Dead]]''
* ''[[Left 4 Dead]]''
** ''[[Left 4 Dead 2 (Video Game)|Left 4 Dead 2]]''
** ''[[Left 4 Dead 2]]''
* ''[[Lego Adaptation Game (Video Game)|Lego Adaptation Game]]''
* ''[[Lego Adaptation Game]]''
* ''[[Limbo (Video Game)|Limbo]]''
* ''[[Limbo]]''
* ''[[Lone Survivor (Video Game)|Lone Survivor]]''
* ''[[Lone Survivor (video game)|Lone Survivor]]''
* ''[[Loom (Video Game)|Loom]]''
* ''[[Loom (video game)|Loom]]''
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online (Video Game)|The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
* ''[[Lugaru (Video Game)|Lugaru]]''
* ''[[Lugaru]]''
* ''[[Lumines (Video Game)|Lumines]]''
* ''[[Lumines]]''
* ''[[Machinarium (Video Game)|Machinarium]]''
* ''[[Machinarium]]''
* ''[[Mafia the City of Lost Heaven (Video Game)|Mafia the City of Lost Heaven]]''
* ''[[Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven|Mafia the City of Lost Heaven]]''
** ''[[Mafia II (Video Game)|Mafia II]]''
** ''[[Mafia II]]''
* ''[[Magical Diary (Visual Novel)|Magical Diary]]''
* ''[[Magical Diary: Horse Hall]]''
* ''[[Magicka (Video Game)|Magicka]]''
* ''[[Magicka]]''
* ''[[Magic the Gathering (Tabletop Game)|Magic the Gathering]]: [[Duels of the Planeswalkers]]''
* ''[[Magic: The Gathering|Magic the Gathering]]: [[Duels of the Planeswalkers]]''
* ''[[Majesty (Video Game)|Majesty]]''
* ''[[Majesty]]''
** ''Majesty 2''
** ''Majesty 2''
** ''Defenders of Ardania''
** ''Defenders of Ardania''
** ''Warlock: Master of the Arcane''
** ''Warlock: Master of the Arcane''
* ''[[Mass Effect 1 (Video Game)|Mass Effect 1]]''
* ''[[Mass Effect (video game)|Mass Effect 1]]''
** ''[[Mass Effect 2 (Video Game)|Mass Effect 2]]''
** ''[[Mass Effect 2]]''
* ''[[Max Payne (Video Game)|Max Payne]]''
* ''[[Max Payne (series)|Max Payne]]''
* ''[[Men of War (Video Game)|Men of War]]'' series
* ''[[Men of War]]'' series
* ''[[Metro 2033 (Video Game)|Metro 2033]]''
* ''[[Metro 2033 (video game)|Metro 2033]]''
* ''[[The Misadventures of PB Winterbottom (Video Game)|The Misadventures of PB Winterbottom]]''
* ''[[The Misadventures of PB Winterbottom]]''
* ''[[Monday Night Combat (Video Game)|Monday Night Combat]]''
* ''[[Monday Night Combat]]''
* ''[[Monkey Island (Video Game)|Monkey Island]]'' series
* ''[[Monkey Island (series)|Monkey Island]]'' series
** ''[[The Secret of Monkey Island (Video Game)|The Secret of Monkey Island]]''
** ''[[The Secret of Monkey Island]]''
** ''[[Monkey Island 2 Le Chucks Revenge (Video Game)|Monkey Island 2 Le Chucks Revenge]]''
** ''[[Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge|Monkey Island 2 Le Chucks Revenge]]''
** ''[[Tales of Monkey Island (Video Game)|Tales of Monkey Island]]''
** ''[[Tales of Monkey Island]]''
* ''[[Moonbase Alpha (Video Game)|Moonbase Alpha]]''
* ''[[Moonbase Alpha]]''
* ''[[Mount and Blade (Video Game)|Mount and Blade]]''
* ''[[Mount & Blade]]''
* ''[[Myst (Video Game)|Myst]]''
* ''[[Myst (series)|Myst]]''
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2 (Video Game)|Neverwinter Nights 2]]''
* ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]''
* ''[[Noitu Love (Video Game)|Noitu Love]] 2''
* ''[[Noitu Love]] 2''
* ''[[Nuclear Dawn (Video Game)|Nuclear Dawn]]''
* ''[[Nuclear Dawn]]''
* ''[[Oddworld (Video Game)|Oddworld]]'' series
* ''[[Oddworld]]'' series
** ''[[Oddworld Strangers Wrath (Video Game)|Oddworld Strangers Wrath]]''
** ''[[Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath]]''
* ''[[Orcs Must Die (Video Game)|Orcs Must Die]]''
* ''[[Orcs Must Die]]''
* ''[[Patrician (Video Game)|Patrician]]'' series
* ''[[Patrician]]'' series
* ''[[PAYDAY the Heist (Video Game)|PAYDAY the Heist]]''
* ''[[Payday: The Heist]]''
* ''[[Peggle (Video Game)|Peggle]]''
* ''[[Peggle]]''
* ''[[Penny Arcade Adventures (Video Game)|Penny Arcade Adventures]]''
* ''[[Penny Arcade Adventures]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Plain Sight|Plain Sight]]''
* ''[[Plain Sight]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Planet Busters|Planet Busters]]''
* ''[[Planet Busters]]''
* ''[[Plants vs. Zombies (Video Game)|Plants vs. Zombies]]''
* ''[[Plants vs. Zombies]]''
* ''[[Poker Night At the Inventory (Video Game)|Poker Night At the Inventory]]''
* ''[[Poker Night At the Inventory]]''
* ''[[Post Apocalyptic Mayhem (Video Game)|Post Apocalyptic Mayhem]]''
* ''[[Post Apocalyptic Mayhem]]''
* ''[[Portal (Video Game)|Portal]]''
* ''[[Portal (series)|Portal]]''
** ''[[Portal 2 (Video Game)|Portal 2]]''
** ''[[Portal 2]]''
* ''[[Prison Tycoon]]'' series
* ''[[Prison Tycoon]]'' series
* ''[[Prototype (Video Game)|Prototype]]''
* ''[[Prototype (video game)|Prototype]]''
** ''[[Prototype 2 (Video Game)|Prototype 2]]''
** ''[[Prototype 2]]''
* ''[[Psychonauts (Video Game)|Psychonauts]]''
* ''[[Psychonauts]]''
* ''[[Puzzle Pirates (Video Game)|Puzzle Pirates]]''
* ''[[Puzzle Pirates]]''
* ''[[Puzzle Quest (Video Game)|Puzzle Quest]]''
* ''[[Puzzle Quest]]''
* ''[[Quake (Video Game)|Quake]]'' series
* ''[[Quake (series)|Quake]]'' series
* ''[[Rage (Video Game)|Rage]]''
* ''[[Rage (video game)|Rage]]''
* ''[[Railroad Tycoon]]'' series
* ''[[Railroad Tycoon]]'' series
* ''[[Rainbow Six (Video Game)|Rainbow Six]] Vegas'' series
* ''[[Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (video game)|Rainbow Six]] Vegas'' series
* ''[[Rayman Origins (Video Game)|Rayman Origins]]''
* ''[[Rayman Origins]]''
* ''[[Realm of the Mad God (Video Game)|Realm of the Mad God]]''
* ''[[Realm of the Mad God]]''
* ''[[Recettear an Item Shops Tale (Video Game)|Recettear an Item Shops Tale]]''
* ''[[Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale]]''
* ''[[Renegade Ops (Video Game)|Renegade Ops]]''
* ''[[Renegade Ops]]''
* ''[[Resident Evil 5 (Video Game)|Resident Evil 5]]''
* ''[[Resident Evil 5]]''
* ''[[Revenge of the Titans (Video Game)|Revenge of the Titans]]''
* ''[[Revenge of the Titans]]''
* ''[[Rift]]''
* ''[[Rift]]''
* ''[[Risen (Video Game)|Risen]]''
* ''[[Risen]]''
* ''[[Rise of Immortals (Video Game)|Rise of Immortals]]''
* ''[[Rise of Immortals]]''
* ''[[Ristar (Video Game)|Ristar]]''
* ''[[Ristar]]''
* ''[[Rochard (Video Game)|Rochard]]''
* ''[[Rochard]]''
* ''[[Rollercoaster Tycoon (Video Game)|Rollercoaster Tycoon]] 3''
* ''[[Rollercoaster Tycoon]] 3''
* ''[[Video Game/Runaway A Twist Of Fate|Runaway A Twist Of Fate]]''
* ''[[Runaway: A Twist of Fate]]''
* ''[[Rusty Hearts (Video Game)|Rusty Hearts]]''
* ''[[Rusty Hearts]]''
* ''[[Scratches (video game)|Scratches]]''
* ''[[Sam and Max Freelance Police (Video Game)|Sam and Max Freelance Police]]''
* ''[[Scratches (Video Game)|Scratches]]''
* ''[[Second Sight (video game)|Second Sight]]''
* ''[[Second Sight (Video Game)|Second Sight]]''
* ''[[Sega Superstars|Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]''
* ''[[Sequence]]''
* ''[[Sega Superstars (Video Game)|Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing]]''
* ''[[Sequence (Video Game)|Sequence]]''
* ''[[Serious Sam]]''
* ''[[Serious Sam (Video Game)|Serious Sam]]''
** ''[[Serious Sam: The Random Encounter]]''
* ''[[Shadowgrounds]]''
** ''[[Serious Sam the Random Encounter (Video Game)|Serious Sam the Random Encounter]]''
* ''[[Shatter]]''
* ''[[Shadowgrounds (Video Game)|Shadowgrounds]]''
* ''[[Shatter (Video Game)|Shatter]]''
* ''[[Shattered Horizon]]''
* ''[[Shattered Horizon]]''
* ''[[Sengoku (Video Game)|Sengoku]]''
* ''[[Sengoku (video game)|Sengoku]]''
* ''[[Sim City (Video Game)|Sim City]] 4''
* ''[[SimCity]] 4''
* ''[[The Sims (Video Game)|The Sims]] 3''
* ''[[The Sims]] 3''
* ''[[Sky Drift (Video Game)|Sky Drift]]''
* ''[[Sky Drift]]''
* ''[[Sniper Elite (Video Game)|Sniper Elite]]''
* ''[[Sniper Elite]]''
** ''Sniper Elite V2''
** ''Sniper Elite V2''
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Franchise)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series
* ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Video Game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (video game)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Video Game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD (Video Game)|Sonic CD]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog CD|Sonic CD]]''
** ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles (Video Game)|Sonic 3 and Knuckles]]''
** ''[[Sonic 3 and Knuckles]]''
** ''[[Sonic 3D Flickies Island (Video Game)|Sonic 3D Blast]]''
** ''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island|Sonic 3D Blast]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (Video Game)|Sonic Spinball]]''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball|Sonic Spinball]]''
** ''[[Sonic Adventure (Video Game)|Sonic Adventure]] DX''
** ''[[Sonic Adventure]] DX''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4 (Video Game)|Sonic the Hedgehog 4]] Ep. I''
** ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 4]] Ep. I''
*** ''Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Ep. II
*** ''Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Ep. II
** ''[[Sonic Generations (Video Game)|Sonic Generations]]''
** ''[[Sonic Generations]]''
* ''[[Space Chem (Video Game)|Space Chem]]''
* ''[[Space Chem]]''
* ''[[Spiral Knights (Video Game)|Spiral Knights]]''
* ''[[Spiral Knights]]''
* ''[[Splinter Cell (Video Game)|Splinter Cell]]'' series
* ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell|Splinter Cell]]'' series
* ''[[Spore (Video Game)|Spore]]''
* ''[[Spore]]''
* ''[[Star Ruler (Video Game)|Star Ruler]]''
* ''[[Star Ruler]]''
* ''[[Starscape (Video Game)|Starscape]]''
* ''[[Starscape]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Star Trek DAC|Star Trek DAC]]''
* ''[[Star Trek DAC]]''
* ''[[Star Trek Online (Video Game)|Star Trek Online]]''
* ''[[Star Trek Online]]''
* ''[[Star Wars Battlefront (Video Game)|Star Wars Battlefront]] II''
* ''[[Star Wars: Battlefront (series)|Star Wars Battlefront]] II''
* ''[[Still Life (Video Game)|Still Life]]''
* ''[[Still Life (video game)|Still Life]]''
* ''[[Street Fighter IV (Video Game)|Street Fighter IV]]''
* ''[[Street Fighter IV]]''
* ''[[Strong Bads Cool Game for Attractive People (Video Game)|Strong Bads Cool Game for Attractive People]]''
* ''[[Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People|Strong Bads Cool Game for Attractive People]]''
* ''Super [[Meat Boy (Video Game)|Meat Boy]]''
* ''Super [[Meat Boy]]''
* ''[[Supreme Commander 2 (Video Game)|Supreme Commander 2]]''
* ''[[Supreme Commander 2]]''
* ''[[Swords and Soldiers (Video Game)|Swords and Soldiers]]''
* ''[[Swords and Soldiers]]''
* ''[[Syberia (Video Game)|Syberia]]''
* ''[[Syberia]]''
* ''[[Tachyon the Fringe (Video Game)|Tachyon the Fringe]]''
* ''[[Tachyon the Fringe]]''
* ''[[Team Fortress 2 (Video Game)|Team Fortress 2]]''
* ''[[Team Fortress 2]]''
* ''[[Terraria (Video Game)|Terraria]]''
* ''[[Terraria]]''
* ''[[Thief (Video Game)|Thief]]'' series
* ''[[Thief (series)|Thief]]'' series
* ''[[Toki Tori (Video Game)|Toki Tori]]''
* ''[[Toki Tori]]''
* ''[[Tomb Raider (Franchise)|Tomb Raider]]'' series
* ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' series
* ''[[Torchlight (Video Game)|Torchlight]]''
* ''[[Torchlight]]''
* ''[[Total War (Video Game)|Total War]]'' series
* ''[[Total War]]'' series
* ''[[Trine (Video Game)|Trine]]''
* ''[[Trine]]''
* ''[[UFO Afterblank (Video Game)|UFO Afterblank]]'' series
* ''[[UFO: After Blank]]'' series
* ''[[Unreal (Video Game)|Unreal]]'' series
* ''[[Unreal]]'' series
* ''[[Uplink (Video Game)|Uplink]]''
* ''[[Uplink]]''
* ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines (Video Game)|Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines]]''
* ''[[Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines]]''
* ''[[Velvet Assassin]]''
* ''[[Velvet Assassin]]''
* ''[[Vigil Blood Bitterness (Video Game)|Vigil Blood Bitterness]]''
* ''[[Vigil Blood Bitterness]]''
* ''[[Virtua Fighter (Video Game)|Virtua Fighter]] 2''
* ''[[Virtua Fighter]] 2''
* ''[[VVVVVV (Video Game)|VVVVVV]]''
* ''[[VVVVVV]]''
* ''[[The Walking Dead (Video Game)|The Walking Dead]]''
* ''[[The Walking Dead (video game)|The Walking Dead]]''
* ''[[Video Game/War Inc Battlezone|War Inc Battlezone]]''
* ''[[War Inc Battlezone]]''
* ''[[Warhammer 40000 Space Marine (Video Game)|Warhammer 40000 Space Marine]]''
* ''[[Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine|Warhammer 40000 Space Marine]]''
* ''[[Warhammer Online]]''
* ''[[Warhammer Online]]''
* ''[[Wasteland Angel (Video Game)|Wasteland Angel]]''
* ''[[Wasteland Angel]]''
* ''[[Video Game/Winter Voices|Winter Voices]]''
* ''[[Winter Voices]]''
* ''[[The Witcher (Video Game)|The Witcher]]: Enhanced Edition''
* ''[[The Witcher]]: Enhanced Edition''
** ''[[The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings (Video Game)|The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings]]''
** ''[[The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings|The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings]]''
* ''[[Wolfenstein 3D (Video Game)|Wolfenstein 3D]]''
* ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]''
** ''[[Wolfenstein (Video Game)|Wolfenstein]] 2009''
** ''[[Wolfenstein (2009 video game)|Wolfenstein]] 2009''
* ''[[World of Goo (Video Game)|World of Goo]]''
* ''[[World of Goo]]''
* ''[[Worms (Video Game)|Worms]]''
* ''[[Worms]]''
* ''[[X (Video Game)|X-Universe]]'' series
* ''[[X (video game)|X-Universe]]'' series
* ''[[X-COM (Video Game)|X-COM]]'' series
* ''[[X-COM (Video Game)|X-COM]]'' series
* ''[[Ys (Video Game)|Ys]]: The Oath In Felghana''
* ''[[Ys]]: The Oath In Felghana''
** ''[[Ys (Video Game)|Ys]] Origin''
** ''[[Ys]] Origin''
* ''[[Zombie Panic (Video Game)|Zombie Panic]]''
* ''[[Zombie Panic]]''


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Pages with working Wikipedia tabs]]
[[Category:Social Media]]
[[Category:Other Sites]]
[[Category:Videogame Systems]]
[[Category:Videogame Systems]]
[[Category:Steam]]
[[Category:Trope]]

Latest revision as of 17:53, 18 March 2024


The 2016 Steam Logo
"Oh, yeah, I love Steam! I just hate the pipes..."
—Francis, Left 4 Dead

Steam is the most popular Digital Distribution platform for PC games. Created by Valve Corporation in 2004 to distribute and integrate their own games cheaply, it has grown from its shaky and buggy beginnings into the service that PC gamers can use for their online middleware needs. (Provided you have a decently fast internet connection and a way of buying online.) It also features a messaging system, an online multiplayer platform, Achievements, and an in-game Web browser, making it something like the PC equivalent of Xbox Live, except free, and marketed at an older demographic. And like Live, it has since gone cross-platform, supporting MacOS X in addition to Windows.

All of Valve's PC games since Half-Life 2 have required Steam and the retail versions come with it. The service is free to download as well, and allows gamers to integrate their games into the service, as well as download games that support the service natively.

Having the full support of pretty much every major publisher that makes PC titles except Blizzard, Maxis (except for Spore and SimCity) and Electronic Arts (who have their own Digital Distribution platform, Origin), the service makes it easier to just download and play PC games, due to having over one thousand titles available for download, many of which are classic games in their own right-and now it boasts more than 30 million unique users. Not bad for a company that made its first game 12 years ago.

The program has its own Hatedom, partly thanks to the service's self-imposed DRM, but also due to surprisingly high prices, which Steam circumvents by offering weekly discounts on specific products. Further, as Digital Distribution has become more popular, some of the ways Steam does things have proven unfriendly to competition. Ironically, the reaction to Electronic Arts' digital service Origin was highly negative, with a ton of people wishing they just stuck to Steam, though this is largely in part due to majority opinion that Origin is not only a vastly inferior service for a variety of reasons (it can be argued that Steam's success is because it provides a variety of useful services nobody else provides), but also due to Orgin's highly controversial terms of service.

In 2010, the interface underwent a major overhaul, designed to coincide with the release of Steam for the Mac. Opinions are mixed.

Not related to water vapor, or that Peter Gabriel song, or steampunk.

Tropes Pertaining to Steam Include
Games and series for download from Steam include:
  1. ↑ Except Battlefield 3 (which EA has made exclusive to their competing Origin service) and a few gimmick titles.
  2. ↑ as part of the Classics bundle only
  3. ↑ as part of the Classics bundle only
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Steam?oldid=2049495"