You might already know what is steam and what is it used for? So, Today let’s look at some facts about Steam.
For those who don’t know what is Steam, here you go.
What is Steam?
Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve. It was launched as a standalone software client in September 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for their games, and expanded to include games from third-party publishers. Steam has also expanded into an online web-based and mobile digital storefront. Steam offers digital rights management (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking services. It also provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud storage, and in-game voice and chat functionality.
What is DRM?
Digital rights management tools or technological protection measures are a set of access control technologies for restricting the use of proprietary hardware and copyrighted works. DRM technologies try to control the use, modification, and distribution of copyrighted works, as well as systems within devices that enforce these policies
OK, Now let’s look at some Facts about Steam.
Fact #1:
Before implementing Steam, Valve had problems updating its online games, such as Counter-Strike; providing patches would result in most of the online user base disconnecting for several days. Valve decided to create a platform that would update games automatically and implement stronger anti-piracy and anti-cheat measures. So at first it was just a platform to update online games.
Fact #2:
Valve approached several companies, including Microsoft, Yahoo!, and RealNetworks to build a client with the features that can update online games and can also distribute games to users efficiently, but were declined.
Fact #3:
Steam was initially named as “Grid” and “Gazelle” when the development started at 2002.
Fact #4:
Valve’s Half-Life 2 was the first game to require installation of the Steam client to play, even for retail copies. After that Valve began negotiating contracts with third-party publishers to release their product in their store.
Fact #5:
Steam has total of whopping 43,966 games and increasing in it’s store. And there are over 1 Billion Accounts(Recorded in 2019)
Fact #6:
The most expensive game in Steam is Ascent Free-Roaming VR Experience which is priced at $999 (₹80,000). Yes a game at this price, if you can’t believe click here and check it by yourself.
Fact #7:
Steam Top Sellers list (Sep 13th) Ordered by $ sales.
- Fall Guys
- Among Us
- Crusader Kings 3 (CK3)
- Craftopia
- Valve Index VR
- Marvel’s Avengers
- CK3: Royal Edition
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning
- Divinity Original Sin 2: Definitive Edition
- NBA 2K21
Fact #8:
Have you ever wondered, how much money would it take to buy all steam games. Well according to KOTAKU it will take approximately $538,000 to buy all games. Link to KOTAKU’s article.
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