Information for New Users

What is Steam?

Steam is Valve's broadband platform for direct software delivery and content management. It is an integral part of all Valve software.

Steam...

• Allows you to buy Valve games via the Internet, and start playing shortly after confirming your purchase.
• Lets you access your games from any PC that can connect to the Steam network.
• Updates and patches your products automatically so you don't have to worry about doing it yourself.
• Uses it's own instant-message feature so you can IM your friends, even while playing games.
• Makes it easy to browse and connect to game servers.
• Provides a way for you to see when your friends are playing, and join their games.

How do I use Steam?

First, please see the Installing Steam topic for instructions to download install Steam.

Once you have Steam installed, create an account and add games to it by Buying Games through Steam or by Activating a Product on Steam.

What games are available through Steam?

In addition to using Steam to deliver games, Valve is also making Steam available to other software developers.

For a full list of games available for purchase through Steam, please visit the Steam Storefront.