Steam Offers Online Option to Buying PC Games
Valve's Store Allows PC Gamers to Play Games on any PC
Feb 27, 2009
Valve, the video game developer who has brought video game classics to the world such as Portal, Half-life, and the recently released Left 4 Dead, is the mastermind behind an innovative online gaming store for PC Gamers, Steam.
Instead of purchasing a game at a gaming retailer, users can purchase and download games (for the same retail prices) from their home computers. Once they download a title, the game is forever marked as purchased in their accounts, and users can then access their downloaded games from any PC, not just their own.
The main idea behind Steam is to make PC gaming portable, aside from hauling a laptop everywhere. Now desktop users can also enjoy the same gaming portability from a laptop.
Steam's Large PC Game Library
Steam has as extensive a library as any video game retailer. Users can browse through hundreds of titles, either by genre, alphabetically, or even by game developer. Steam offers games not just from Valve, but also from Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Rockstar Games, id Software, and even Atari classics.
Square Enix recently announced that they would join the Steam bandwagon on April 9, 2009, with a PC-version of The Last Remnant. In addition, Steam will automatically download and apply all patches and updates released for their games, so users don't have to worry about ensuring their software is up-to-date.
Games are not the only items available from this online store. Steam also offers game trailers, videos, demos, and game mods for free download and enjoyment.
Multiplayer Services from Steam
Steam does more than allow direct purchases of games; it provides easy multiplayer gaming for users. It has a browser for users to easily navigate and search through thousands of game servers on the Internet.
Steam also has a forum community for users to meet and make new friends or bring over their current gaming friends. The forum also allows for users to set up and join in chat sessions, matches, and tournaments all for free.
Minimum PC Requirements for Using Steam
To help ensure a PC gaming experience as smooth as any console gaming experience, and to help prevent lag when playing multiplayer games online, Steam recommends that users have the following minimum PC requirements:
- Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
- 256 MB RAM
- 400 Mhz Processor
- 1 GB hard drive space
- broadband internet connection
Joining Steam is Absolutely Free
The best part about Steam is that having an account is free. The only cost to account-holders is in purchasing the games, just as it would be if they bought them from a retailer. Even when accessing them from another PC, they do not have to purchase the games again.
Steam and everything they offer can be found here.
