Valve Launches Steam Families Feature for All Users
Valve has officially released its new Steam Families feature to all users, following a successful beta launch earlier this year. The feature introduces enhanced game sharing and parental control options for families using the popular gaming platform.
Steam Families allows parents to share games with family members, implement parental controls, and approve game purchase requests from their children. A significant improvement over the previous Family Sharing setup is the ability for multiple family members to play different games from a shared library simultaneously. For instance, one person can enjoy “Balatro” while another plays “Arranger.” However, playing the same game concurrently still requires an additional copy.
The new feature also enables offline play of shared games, addressing a limitation of the older system. Steam Families are designed for immediate family units and can include up to six close family members. Each member maintains their own save games and achievements within the shared environment.
Valve has implemented measures to prevent misuse of the feature. Adults can leave a Steam Family at any time but must wait a year before starting or joining a new one. Children can only be removed from a Family by an adult or with Steam support assistance.
As Steam Families rolls out, Valve plans to phase out the old Family Sharing feature. Current users of Family Sharing are encouraged to transition to the new system.
To access Steam Families, users need to update their Steam client to the latest version. This update also includes other improvements, such as a redesigned screenshots manager.
The launch of Steam Families represents Valve’s continued efforts to enhance user experience and provide more flexible options for families who game together on the Steam platform.
