Valve overhauls how demos work on Steam
Valve has changed how demos operate on its Steam platform.
In a blog post on the Steamworks blog, the company said that users can now add demos to their libraries without installing them right away. You can also add demos to your library from the Steam mobile app.
Valve also wrote that demos can be installed even if users already own the full game, adding that this use case is first and foremost so developers can test their demos. Demos can also be easily removed from your account, too. And finally, when demos are uninstalled, they are removed automatically from your library.
Developers and publishers can also allow demos to have their own store page, which can also link back to the main game page via a widget. Users can leave reviews for demos if it has its own store page. Valve adds that whether or not a demo has its own store page won't impact how it appears in search and discoverability options, though the company warns that if a demo does have its own store page and attracts negative user reviews, this might make the game "less appealing" to players.
Valve says that demos now "behave like free games" and appear in the same places those releases do. The company also says that people who have wishlisted a game will be notified if you release a demo.
"With thousands of new playable game demos launching every year, often as part of Steam Next Fest, we've noticed some trends in feedback from developers and players about changes they'd like to see made to the process and functionality," Valve wrote. "So, we've put together an update based on that feedback."
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