Valve Introduces New Changes to Steam Demos

by Tom Misch
in $$$, Featured, PC
on 26 July 2024

Valve, the creator of the popular PC gaming storefront Steam, is making changes to its demo system in response to feedback from developers and players. With an increasing number of developers releasing free games instead of traditional demos, Valve is adapting its approach to demos to better cater to the needs of developers and make demos more visible on the store.

One significant change is the introduction of separate store pages specifically for demos. Developers will be able to create a dedicated page for their demo, providing clear information about what is included and linking back to the full version of the game. Users will also be able to leave reviews specifically for demos on their individual pages.

On the player side, demos will now be given more prominence in the Steam store. They will be featured on the homepage in the new and trending section, as well as on relevant tag and category pages. Valve has also adjusted the thresholds for free products to appear in these sections, ensuring a better balance with paid products.

Additional features have been implemented to enhance the demo experience for Steam users. Demos can now be added to a user’s Steam library without immediately installing them, giving users the flexibility to try out multiple demos before committing to installation. Even if a user owns the full version of a game, they can still choose to install and experience the demo. Demos can be removed from the library through uninstallation or by using the ‘remove from account’ option in the right-click menu. Furthermore, Valve has introduced a new option for users to receive email or mobile notifications when a game they have wishlisted launches a demo.

These changes are aimed at making it easier for players to discover and engage with demos, while also providing developers with more control and visibility for their demo content. With these updates, Steam users can look forward to a more streamlined and immersive demo experience.

Valve’s changes to the Steam demo system include the introduction of separate store pages specifically for demos. This allows developers to create dedicated pages for their demos, providing clear information about what is included and linking back to the full version of the game. Users will also be able to leave reviews specifically for demos on their individual pages.

Demos will now be given more prominence in the Steam store. They will be featured on the homepage in the new and trending section, as well as on relevant tag and category pages. Valve has adjusted the thresholds for free products to appear in these sections to ensure a better balance with paid products.

Additional features have been implemented to enhance the demo experience for users. Demos can now be added to a user’s Steam library without immediately installing them, allowing users to try out multiple demos before committing to installation. Even if a user already owns the full version of a game, they can still choose to install and experience the demo. Demos can be removed from the library through uninstallation or by using the ‘remove from account’ option in the right-click menu. Valve has also introduced an option for users to receive email or mobile notifications when a game they have wishlisted launches a demo.

Advantages of these changes include a more streamlined and immersive demo experience for users, with increased visibility and control for developers. Users can easily discover and engage with demos, while developers have the opportunity to showcase their games in a dedicated demo storefront.

However, there may also be some challenges and controversies associated with these changes. One potential challenge is ensuring that the new prominence given to demos in the Steam store does not overshadow other paid products. Developers who rely on sales of the full version of their games may be concerned about the potential impact of increased focus on demos. Additionally, there may be debates about the thresholds set for free products to appear in the prominent sections of the store, with some developers arguing for stricter or looser criteria.

Overall, these changes by Valve aim to address the evolving landscape of game demos and provide a more user-friendly experience for players. The increased visibility and control for developers, along with the enhanced features for users, are designed to make the demo system on Steam more engaging and accessible.