How to Make More Out of Steam: 8 Tips for New Users

Steam is the most popular platform for purchasing and playing games. It has some competition, such as Epic Games Store, but no other service comes close to Steam.

It helps that Valve, the company behind the platform, also owns popular titles like DOTA 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, a fact that should not be underestimated if we are talking about Steam popularity.

So, what can you do to make more out of the platform if you are still relatively new to it? There are quite a few things to consider, and this article will push you in the right direction, so you can proceed for steam sign up and start earning big from first live streaming.

8 Tips to Make More Out of Steam

Keep an Eye on Sales

Let’s start with what arguably matters the most—buying and playing games. The prices for video games vary depending on multiple factors, including how old the game is or who was the developer behind the IP.

One of the best things about Steam is that you can expect to save money by waiting for a sale. There usually is a significant sale during various holidays, and you can see discounts as big as 90% off.

Sure, you might not have the patience to wait because of the eagerness to play the game ASAP, but if you are concerned about the money you have been spending on video games, then be smart and show restraint.

In case you do not want to miss out on a game when it goes on sale, add it to your Steam wishlist. You will receive an email informing you about the ongoing sale.

Check the Mods Sections

Some games have dedicated modding communities that provide you with alterations to the original game.

Steam has a workshop section that invites modders from different video games to show off their skills and improve player experience. And since the majority of modifications are free, you do not have to worry about spending the extra money to enjoy a specific video game even more.

Utilize the Gift Feature

Steam has the gift feature to let you purchase a video game as a gift and send it to another person. If you know someone who would like to play a game on Steam but cannot afford it, you could be the person to bring them a present.

Or maybe there is a friend you want to surprise on their birthday, for example? Steam gifts are a neat addition to the platform, and if you find a use for it, you should not hesitate and go for it.

Participate in Steam Beta

Given the growth of Steam as a platform, it is to be expected that Valve will push for new features and upgrades to the current system. To implement and test various changes and innovations, Valve has a beta system.

If you wish to become part of the platform’s growth, feel free to apply to participate in Betas and be one of the first to try new features. Your feedback will be necessary to polish new additions before they appear on Steam.

Trade and Sell Items

If you play games that have in-game drops, there is an opportunity to make money. Many players like cosmetics, and if you are lucky, you get a drop that you can later sell on the Steam market.

Each Steam profile has inventory. Check whether it has any tradeable items. If there are and you have no use for them, sell them. You will have more money in your Steam wallet, which means saving a bit on the next game you purchase on the platform.

Refund Games

Steam has a refund policy. If you want to get your money for a video game you purchased, make sure you do that within 14 days. Also, the playtime for the video game should not exceed 2 hours. These safety nets exist to prevent abusers from cheating the system.

Manage the Game Library

The Steam itself does not take a lot of storage. However, if you download and install too many games, you are bound to notice certain storage problems. From having your startup disk full to too much temporary file accumulation, you need to keep an eye on the files and eliminate data you no longer need.

Keep in mind that if you remove a video game from your Steam account, you can download it later. And if you keep the progress data, you can continue from where you left off.

Secure Your Account

The last thing to mention is how you should secure your account. Steam by itself is a quite secure platform, but taking the extra steps is still recommended.

From using a complicated password and enabling two-factor authentication to relying on Steam Guard, you will feel safer knowing that there are multiple security layers for your Steam account.