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View Full Version : Steam Community beta starts today

Varsity
08-02-2007, 11:25 AM
Valve intend to start an open beta phase (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/The_Steam_Community) for their Steam Community (http://steamgames.com/v/index.php?area=news&archive=yes&id=1093) project later today. The Community update introduces many of the features of Live Arcade and Games for Windows live to Steam and non-Steam games on your computer, for free. Some early screens (excluding anything from the keystone website) are available here (http://steamreview.org/wp-content/images/steamcommunity/beta/).

Editor's Note: This actually isn't coming out today. It was just SUPPOSED to come out today. This is Valve folks. We should see it by the time Turkey Day hits.

W00t!

Thanks Jackal for a similar submission.
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:14 PM
Damn, I didn't know it was launching today! Hot damn!
We can add non-steam games to the Steam client now, that's awesome!
(I'm one of the few who absolutely loves Steam, and I actually prefer having all my game shortcuts in one place)

Pretty sweet stuff.
Esquilax1138
08-02-2007, 12:15 PM
Farewell Games for Windows Live, we hardly knew thee!
Tricky Thumb
08-02-2007, 12:16 PM
Hm, so it's also going to support non-steam games as well is it? That's quite interesting.
violentp
08-02-2007, 12:18 PM
Waiting impatiently.
phantomhitman
08-02-2007, 12:20 PM
ok, i just got steam last night. wtf is this and what does it do?
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:24 PM
ok, i just got steam last night. wtf is this and what does it do?

Why did you get it if you don't even know what it is? lol
It gives you the basics (http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=getsteamnow&cc=US) on the download page.

It's basically, a digital content delivery system, which can also manage your games/friends. And now, with this Steam Community stuff, it will have even more features for doing so.
phantomhitman
08-02-2007, 12:26 PM
no, I meant what is this new beta about. Does it add new features, or is it a new way to deliver content?
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:26 PM
Ah, I knew there was a reason I didn't think it started today.
It's actually right in the Wiki link you posted in the news post...
Well, we thought we would launch the beta today, but due to complications, we are postponing the beta until next week. Stay tuned for more info then.
I had just read on another site that it was postponed.
Jackel
08-02-2007, 12:27 PM
I tried the leaked beta yesterday and i think the concept is an excellent step in the right direction.

Although before everyone gets all excited, there were alot of bugs still and alot of the features weren't implemented yet so don't expect this to knock your socks off right away.

Edit: It's been delayed again. check out the Steam Community Wiki Site (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/The_Steam_Community)

But bare in mind any changes to that site can be made by anyone.
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:27 PM
no, I meant what is this new beta about. Does it add new features, or is it a new way to deliver content?

Oh, well that's right there, in the second link of the news post.
phantomhitman
08-02-2007, 12:30 PM
Oh, well that's right there, in the second link of the news post.

I cant read though, can you type it out for me...

I dont know the difference between the additions and what already existed since I just got steam yesterday.
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:45 PM
I cant read though, can you type it out for me...

I dont know the difference between the additions and what already existed since I just got steam yesterday.

Oh fine, I'll make a youtube video explaining the differences. Give me like an hour and it should be up!

That was a lie, I'm not doing that.
phantomhitman
08-02-2007, 12:46 PM
ok thanks


dot dot dot
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 12:50 PM
Some one should probably change the new post though, since this isn't coming out today any more. It will make the children excited, then dash their dreams when they find out it's delayed.
(yes, my eyes are still filled with tears)
Deadend
08-02-2007, 01:39 PM
So... it's basically Xfire?
And I also got a feeling it's a bit myspace.
Banacek
08-02-2007, 01:52 PM
Shouldn't they be working on Episode 2? :)
Roc Ingersol
08-02-2007, 02:09 PM
This is exactly what Games for Windows Live needed to bring to the table, before they tried to charge for Gold. (global friends, messaging, party system, cross-game invites, update monitoring, etc)

(and really, Silver should have free online play for 360 and PC. Gold should get dedicated servers, priority downloads, etc. But I digress.)
Hemalin
08-02-2007, 02:19 PM
So... it's basically Xfire?
And I also got a feeling it's a bit myspace.

Yes to both.
KingGorilla
08-02-2007, 02:28 PM
So, Steam will just get better, and free-er?
Syl
08-02-2007, 02:29 PM
Yes to both.

Which is odd; as Xfire works with pretty much every steam game imaginable as it is.

Still; I like the idea. I'm logged onto steam full time as it is.
Nessus
08-02-2007, 04:55 PM
Steam needs to go after more classic games and make them run seamlessly on XP/Vista computers.

System Shock 2, TIE Fighter, etc.
UnderHero5
08-02-2007, 11:49 PM
Steam needs to go after more classic games and make them run seamlessly on XP/Vista computers.

System Shock 2, TIE Fighter, etc.

That would be sweet. As long as they're dirt cheap.
Varsity
08-03-2007, 04:49 AM
Which is odd; as Xfire works with pretty much every steam game imaginable as it is.

But without integration and for only a relative handful of users.