In the latest Steam beta release, snippets of code have been found that suggest Valve might be preparing to launch a new Steam game sharing service within its games network.
IGN has reported that three lines of code refer to a “shared license” for games, which suggest that changes are afoot at Steam and will sometime in the future allow gamers to share their purchases with others.
“SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicense_Title” “Shared game library”
“SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicenseLocked_OwnerText” “Just so you know, your games are currently in use by %borrower%. Playing now will send %borrower% a notice that it’s time to quit.”
“SteamUI_JoinDialog_SharedLicenseLocked_BorrowerText” “This shared game is currently unavailable. Please try again later or buy this game for your own library.”
Potential Benefits of Steam Game Sharing
The potential introduction of a game sharing service on Steam could revolutionize the way gamers interact with their libraries. Imagine being able to share your favorite games with friends and family without having to purchase multiple copies. This could be particularly beneficial for households with multiple gamers, allowing them to enjoy the same game without the added expense. Additionally, it could foster a greater sense of community among gamers, as sharing games could lead to more collaborative and social gaming experiences.
For example, a group of friends could take turns playing a single-player game, discussing strategies and storylines as they progress. Alternatively, a family could share a game, with each member having their own save file, making it a more inclusive activity. The possibilities are endless and could significantly enhance the gaming experience for many users.
Challenges and Considerations
While the idea of game sharing is exciting, it also comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. One of the primary concerns is how developers and publishers will react to this change. Game sales are a significant source of revenue, and the introduction of a sharing system could potentially impact sales figures. Valve will need to find a balance that satisfies both gamers and developers to ensure the success of this feature.
Another consideration is the technical implementation of the sharing system. The lines of code suggest that there will be restrictions in place, such as notifying the borrower when the owner wants to play the game. This could lead to conflicts if both parties want to play at the same time. Valve will need to develop a robust system that manages these conflicts effectively to ensure a smooth user experience.
At the present time, Valve has not announced any official mention of the new Steam game sharing service or made any comment on the discovered lines of code within the latest Steam beta software release. However, the presence of these lines of code indicates that Valve is at least exploring the possibility of introducing such a feature. As soon as anything new comes to light about a possible Steam game sharing service, we will keep you updated as always.
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