Earlier this year, Valve introduced 'Steam Families' to the world which will allow up to six people to share a single library and enjoy a new kind of gaming experience. Despite all being part of the "Family," Valve allows users to simultaneously play the game they wish to enjoy, initially rolling out to the Steam Beta Client, and is now live for more to take advantage of.
Steam Families Now Out of Beta, Offering its All-in-One Platform to All
Steam
The latest announcement from Valve confirms that Steam Families is now available for users to enjoy, offering a new all-in-one platform for groups of players. Earlier this March, Steam made Families accessible on the beta, allowing a group of up to six people to join in and share a single library, complete with its unique features.
According to Valve, Steam Families officially replaces its previous connected offers including Steam Family Sharing and Steam Family View. This new all-in-one platform combines all the group-based accounts on the Steam Client and previously offered experiences under one Steam Family.
With this, there is no more need to have separate accounts and share them with others if they want to play a certaingame, as shareable games in the library are made available to members.
Play Simultaneously, Monitor Kids Activity with Steam Families
Only one account needs to create a Steam Family and share up to five additional members, with six players allowed to join in under one umbrella. The "head" of the Family will be notified whenever a member logs in to their specific accounts, and they are also given parental controls that would help monitor their kid's activities.
Users can play simultaneously despite being under one Family, and they can also create their own saved data, earn Steam achievements, gain access to workshop files, and more options.
However, Valve said that developers may "opt their games out" of Family Sharing whenever they deem so.
The Steam Client's Expansive Gaming Experience
Steam remains as one of the most popular gaming platforms in the world, with its renowned Client offering a game marketplace that houses the top-rated, latest, indie, and more offers, as well as running it on devices. Valve offers the Steam Client on various platforms like Windows PCs, Macs, handheld consoles (for the Steam Deck), and its iconic partnership with Tesla for in-car entertainment.
Almost all of the games that are also offered for Windows PCs are made available to Steam, and this also includes renowned computer ports from consoles to be offered here. Its expansive gaming experiences bring a lot for gamers, and it has since positioned itself as a one-stop-shop for everything gaming, available for various platforms.
Many users believe the modern saying that "a family that games together, stays together," and this is something that Valve positions Steam into, with its latest release of the new program. Steam Families is now here, offering groups of people, whether or not in the same household, to share one library, play games at the same time, and set up controls for the younger members.
