Skip to content 
Valve Rolls Out Steam Families: A New Way to Share Games
Guess what, gamers? Valve Software, hailing from Bellevue, Wash., has just dropped some exciting news that’s about to change how we play and share games on Steam. They’ve introduced a feature that’s like handing over the keys to your digital game kingdom to your trusted circle.
Introducing Steam Families: Share Your Games Like Never Before
So, what’s the big deal with Steam Families? Imagine you and a small crew of up to five friends or family members diving into each other’s game libraries without a hitch. Whether you’re into role-playing games, strategic puzzles, or fast-paced shooters, Steam Families lets you explore a vast array of titles across your combined libraries. And it’s already making waves on Steam’s beta client as we speak. Bye-bye, Steam Family Sharing and Family View; we’re moving to a streamlined, one-stop menu for both game sharing and parental controls!
How Does It Work? Dive Into the Deets!
Setting up your Steam Family squad is a breeze, with options to manage everything from permissions to playtime through web browsers, the standalone Steam client, or even on the go with the Steam mobile app. Want to keep your game progress and achievements snug and secure while your Family member ventures into your game list? No worries, Steam Families has got it covered. And while you can’t play the same game at the exact same time without a couple of copies between you, sharing has never been simpler (or more fun!).
Ever dreamed of tending to your farm in Stardew Valley while your buddy embarks on an adventure in Pacific Drive using your shared library? Well, dream no more, because now, it’s a reality.
The Expanding Universe of Steam Games
Steam’s library recently hit a mega-milestone with over 100,000 games, and guess what? A good chunk of these gems is up for sharing through Steam Families. Whether it’s battling your way through Baldur’s Gate 3 or exploring the wilds in Palworld, there’s something for every member of your Steam Family. Just keep an eye out; not every title is available for sharing, mostly due to developer choices or technical peculiarities.
Parental Controls & More: Keeping It Family-Friendly
Valve knows a thing or two about keeping the youngsters safe while not clipping the wings of adult gamers. With Steam Families, adults can effortlessly manage who’s in or out, set game time limits, and even restrict access to the storefront. And kids? They won’t have to pester their parents too much for new games, with in-app requests making life easier for everyone.
Though a Steam Family can only have up to six members (and yes, once someone’s out, the slot’s on cooldown for a year), it spells out convenience for households brimming with gaming enthusiasts.
Valve’s Chill Approach to Account Sharing
In a world where digital services are tightening the reins on account sharing (looking at you, Netflix), Valve’s stance with Steam Families is refreshingly lax. It’s about making gaming more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, mirroring a similar, relaxed policy found in Microsoft’s Xbox program.
So, ready to start your own Steam Family? It looks like gaming together just reached a whole new level of awesome.
