Steam Rumored to Introduce Exclusive Features for Privacy-Oriented Gamers

Article Key Points

Steam may be adding a new feature that allows users to mark games as private on their profiles, granting them more control over their privacy.

Users would be able to completely hide games from their profiles, presenting it as if they never possessed the game. Despite Steam's tolerance for explicit content, their decision to prohibit cryptocurrency and NFT games in 2021 raises eyebrows as they have not introduced this privacy feature earlier.

Steam may soon introduce a new feature to enhance user privacy during gaming sessions. Despite already providing various privacy options, Steam has been missing this particular feature since its inception in 2003. Over the years, Steam has evolved from a basic game marketplace into a feature-packed platform that prioritizes consumer needs. For instance, even though Valve benefits from the profitable trade of costly Counter-Strike skins, users can easily choose to conceal their Steam library and in-game item inventories from the Community Marketplace.

Recently, Pavel Djundik, the creator of SteamDB, unveiled a potential upcoming addition to Steam that could provide users with more precise control over their privacy settings. Djundik shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Steam might be developing a new feature enabling users to privately mark games on their profiles. Given Djundik's history of uncovering Steam updates in advance, it seems highly likely that this feature will be implemented.

While the exact details remain unclear, it is expected that this feature will allow users to completely conceal games from their profiles. These hidden games would appear as if the user never owned them. However, there may be some limitations to consider regarding Steam's interconnections with other applications. For instance, Steam Deck users on Discord, as well as desktop users, might need to adjust their settings within the app to ensure that the hidden game remains concealed on Discord as well.

Steam has recently relaxed its policy on games with explicit content, only prohibiting titles that contain illegal or intentionally offensive material. However, there was a notable exception in 2021, when Steam decided to ban cryptocurrency and NFT games from the platform. This decision is somewhat surprising given the variety of games that have been available on Steam over the past decade. It's worth noting that even an adults-only game managed to reach the top of Steam's bestsellers list in 2021, which suggests that similar occurrences may happen in the future.

Steam

Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.

Brand ValveOriginal Release Date September 12, 2003

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the potential privacy features that Steam is rumored to be introducing. I think that it is important for gamers to have control over their personal information, and I appreciate that Steam is taking steps to address this issue.

I also think that it is interesting that Steam is considering banning cryptocurrency and NFT games. While I understand that these games can be controversial, I think that it is important for gamers to have access to a wide variety of content. I hope that Steam will reconsider this decision in the future.