Don’t Lose Steam Struggling with Gaming Apps!
If you’re a gamer, PC or otherwise, it’s pretty likely you’ve heard of Steam. But what is it? Is there a mobile app? How does it work? Will it stop Todd Howard from releasing Skyrim on every platform for the next 20 years? We have answers to most of these questions in this blurb, (sorry Elder Scrolls VI hopefuls), so strap in soldier.
So What Exactly Is The Steam App, And How Does It Work?
If we’re talking PC, Steam provides a downloadable app to have on your desktop, allowing for a seamless experience that makes downloading and updating your library easily and automatically. It has access to your library, workshop content, messaging, all within an easily navigated app that doesn’t require going into your browser every single time. They even have a mobile app too! The mobile Steam app is useful for checking your messages from other gamers on the go, seeing news for fresh games coming out, or even for using 2-factor authentication ensuring no one logs into your Steam account illicitly.
The platform allows game reviews, often implementing programs that prevent dishonest reviews or ‘review bombing’ to keep things as authentic as possible. Its organization fits the requirements for anyone looking for something specific in mind, even allowing you to see if your friends have played anything you might be interested in.
Do I Need Steam To Play PC Games?
The TLDR is no, you don’t. There’s a short but still decent list of platforms you can buy games from and use their libraries, such as Epic, but Steam is one of the more popular due to its user-friendly interface and inclusive community. There are a few playables that aren’t on conglomerate platforms at all. For instance, Minecraft is a game that is independently sold without the need for something like Steam or Epic, but there are plenty of benefits to using platforms like these.
One of the benefits is that Steam’s going to let you know if your system is optimal for a game, if the operating system can play it at all, or if you may have to sacrifice some quality for the sake of playability. Graphics continue to evolve, and with it so do our systems. Obsoletion can be a hard pill to swallow, but it doesn’t have to be blindly poking at your graphics card to figure out the specs. At startup of any particular game, Steam’s app even allows users the option to customize the quality level, even for the novice or experienced coder to edit and fit their needs. Playing ARK: Survival Evolved on a $200 Dell? No problem, as long as you’re good with some pretty low poly graphics.
If modding is something you’re into, they have you covered with their extensive community workshop, but it isn’t obligatory to use Steam app for your PC modding needs. Nexus is a good modding platform for the player in need, too.
If you’re into modding on your own time and want it published, Steam’s got you covered. They make it easy to produce and distribute your mods, having an entire section dedicated to new mods just put out by players on the platform. Creating content and making sure it’s seen is one of the many benefits of using this platform.
So What’s Steam App Available On?
Fear not! The Steam app is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, the mobile app is available for both apple products and android products. They’re all about versatility, making it as easy as ever to seamlessly blend all your digital gaming needs into one trackable application. No matter your operating system, they want PC players of every thread to enjoy their platform. There was an attempt to have it on consoles, but that flopped, so discerning PC players are going to be the only ones enjoying its apps and features
