Valve Explains Steam's Game Recommendations, Design Challenges

[Guest]

The company published the first in a series of three blog posts explaining how it views Steam, how "bad actors" game the store for their own gain, and how it's approaching the publishing fee that will accompany Steam Direct.

Valve Explains Steam's Game Recommendations, Design Challenges : Read more

 

[Xenophage2112]

Steam has come a loooong way from its first versions. I used to hate Steam, now I consider it indispensable, and by far the best online gaming and digital distribution platform in the world. From mod support, to community tools, to the giant library of games, to movies and productivity software, to live streaming, etc. - Steam rocks, and Valve rocks for making it.

 

[KirbyKirby]

I love Steam, though if I can get the same game on GoG for about the same price I'll get it there since it's DRM free. Steam's DRM isn't too bad though.

My only problem with the Steam storefront at the moment is I spent a lot of time playing one sandbox survival game with some friends and then it started showing me non-stop zombie horror recommendations, which I can't stand.

 

[RomeoReject]

Same here.

Hey, you have a survival game in your inventory that you've never even bothered to play. Clearly you love survival games, so we'll recommend 349457840 more of them to you.

 

[targetdrone]

Steam really needs to do something because their current recommendation system is total garbage.

If I click "Not Interested" on 8 War hammer 40,000 games, That means I'm not interested in the 9th or 10th game!


BTW: I don't have nor have I played ANY Warhammer game!

 

[jimmysmitty]

Steam has come a loooong way from its first versions. I used to hate Steam, now I consider it indispensable, and by far the best online gaming and digital distribution platform in the world. From mod support, to community tools, to the giant library of games, to movies and productivity software, to live streaming, etc. - Steam rocks, and Valve rocks for making it.

And even though they have had a few mess ups, like Greenlights first iteration, you can tell they do try to focus on gamers in many ways.

Same here.

Hey, you have a survival game in your inventory that you've never even bothered to play. Clearly you love survival games, so we'll recommend 349457840 more of them to you.

What about people who would be interested in those and just might not be playing it yet? I have plenty of games I have not played yet but plan to eventually play and similar titles wouldn't hurt.

For example, I enjoy Terraria and did play it a lot. But I got Starbound and waited till much later to start but was suggested 7 Days to Die which I also enjoy.

Steam really needs to do something because their current recommendation system is total garbage.

If I click "Not Interested" on 8 War hammer 40,000 games, That means I'm not interested in the 9th or 10th game!


BTW: I don't have nor have I played ANY Warhammer game!

It goes based on similar genres not game title. That's why you keep getting the next Warhammer game, its genre is the same.

 

[RomeoReject]

What about people who would be interested in those and just might not be playing it yet? I have plenty of games I have not played yet but plan to eventually play and similar titles wouldn't hurt.

For example, I enjoy Terraria and did play it a lot. But I got Starbound and waited till much later to start but was suggested 7 Days to Die which I also enjoy.

I haven't even played the survival game, I got it with a bundle. I also avoid multiplayer like the plague. So it's really batting a thousand in my case.

 

[mlee 2500]

I couldn't agree more with Xenophage...spot on.

We can however be forgiven for initially suspecting, many years ago, that Steam was just another DRM related scheme in cahoots with the publisher and which, even worse, required you to be online/connected for no conceivably good reason...and what's with this agent I have to have installed!?!! No thanks I'll stick to my physical media.....

I'm glad to have been proven wrong, they have been an advocate for Gamers, kept the developers and publishers honest, and added immense value.

 

[jimmysmitty]

What about people who would be interested in those and just might not be playing it yet? I have plenty of games I have not played yet but plan to eventually play and similar titles wouldn't hurt.

For example, I enjoy Terraria and did play it a lot. But I got Starbound and waited till much later to start but was suggested 7 Days to Die which I also enjoy.

I haven't even played the survival game, I got it with a bundle. I also avoid multiplayer like the plague. So it's really batting a thousand in my case.

Again it goes based on genres and tags. If you have a game with similar tags/genre it will suggest it. Much like if you google "socks" your adds will all of the sudden become sock related.