Los Angeles, California – Steam has introduced Steam Families, a new system that revolutionizes its family sharing feature. The updated system eliminates restrictions on the number of people who can access games from one library, simplifies the process of purchasing games for children, and incorporates new parental controls and sharing options.
Previously, users had to navigate two separate systems – Family Sharing and Family View – to share their library while controlling which games children could access. Under the old setup, only one individual could play a game from another user’s library at a time. With the new changes, multiple users can access different games from the same library simultaneously, providing a more flexible experience for players.
To participate in the beta program for the new system, users can visit Settings > Interface > Client Beta Participation and select “Steam Family Beta.” Creating a family is now more straightforward, requiring users to navigate to the Store page, click on their account, then access Account details > Family Management > Create a Family.
Accounts can still share a library with up to five family members, with no specified limit on the number of authorized devices as was the case before. Additionally, offline play is now supported, unlike the previous version which required an internet connection to access shared games.
The process of managing children’s access to specific games, monitoring playtime, and setting restrictions has also been streamlined. Parents no longer need to go through the hassle of purchasing gift cards or sharing credit card information for their children to buy games. Instead, parents can approve their child’s game requests, with the purchase being charged to the parent’s account.
However, it is essential to note that the new system is region-locked, potentially restricting sharing with users in different countries. Furthermore, if a user leaves a family, they are unable to join or create another family for a full year.
Developers must approve their titles for family sharing, and certain types of games, such as free-to-play games or those requiring third-party keys, accounts, or subscriptions, are not eligible for sharing. Steam’s introduction of Steam Families marks a significant improvement in user experience and accessibility within its platform, offering a more seamless and efficient way for families to enjoy gaming together.