PC gaming has traditionally been seen as a solitary pursuit, often lacking the communal experience enjoyed by console players. However, Steam has been making strides in this area with features like Family Sharing and Family View. Now, the platform takes a giant leap forward with the introduction of the new Steam Family system.
Steam Family boasts a user-friendly interface reminiscent of popular streaming services like Netflix, complete with themed profiles for each family member. With this system, users can share a single library among up to six different individuals, each categorized as either an Adult or Child. However, whether a game can be shared among multiple users for a single purchase is ultimately determined by the developer.
Moreover, parental controls have been seamlessly integrated into Steam Family, offering comprehensive options for managing children’s gaming experiences. Parents can now restrict access to individual games, the Steam Store, chat functions, and community features. They can even set playtime limits on a per-day basis and receive detailed playtime reports. Additionally, parents have the ability to approve or deny requests for game purchases, extend playtime, or grant access to certain features. In the event of a forgotten password, parents can also gain access to their child’s account.
These exciting new features are currently available in the beta version of Steam, allowing users to enable or disable them conveniently within the Interface section of the Steam program settings menu.
