Steam: Discussing the Discovery update

With over 100 million active accounts it’s safe to say that Steam is a behemoth in the PC gaming space. So, when the biggest marketplace for the PC (and some Linux and Mac thrown in) games changes, it is important to have a look. We take a look at what’s iLL about it.

Steam now has a new layout.
Matching ideas from the vastly popular ‘Enhanced Steam’ addon the layout adds a filtering system to match the new rating system that it has implemented. Titled ‘The Steam Discovery Update’ it focuses on helping you find games using new features and functionality that offer customisable ways to help you find your next favourite game. It uses Filters, Tags and Lists (Curator).

You can find all about the update by following the official link here. Or read our breakdown below.[divider]

So what’s new?

1. Search and Filters
2. Steam Curator
3. Improved Store page
4. Discovery queue feature
5. Other changes

[divider]

1. New: Search and Filters

Search by name, tag, or description, filter by tags and features.

• Allows for searching for games that match the new user sourced tags system making it easy to find great soundtracks or walking simulators.
• Also the filter system reduces the much needs clutter from the list. It also add multiple filters while browsing a list including user reviews.
• Adding coloured indicators wherever titles are listed that show the item is in your library, on your wishlist, or in your cart… FINALLY!

2. What is Steam Curator?

The official description reads:
Steam Curators
Steam Curators are individuals, organizations, and groups that publish reviews and recommendations in a public forum on Steam.
Following a few Steam Curators is another way to discover and learn about new products. Their picks show up on your home page as well as in your community activity feed, where you can comment and rate those recommendations.

Long story short, they are games lists that link you to full reviews from various steam groups and game sites.

Feel free to join our group: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/iLLGaming-in
and to follow our curator list: http://store.steampowered.com/curator/6861505/
where we feature “Games rated 8 and above on iLLGaming, some noteworthy games made by Indian developers and personal favourites of our Editors.”

The curator system is still in early stages as several reddit threads have pointed out the flaws with the games’ popular reviews being featured on top, which can sometimes also contain spam. Below a screenshot by reddit user /u/Bosmantics

3. Store page

When you open a game’s store page you get easy info on the sidebar, making slightly better use of a widescreen display, it’s not all the way there but slightly better.

• The sidebar now hosts a lot of info in the same slight neon blue tone of Steam’s new accent design making it easy to pick Local coop games or full controller support for couch sessions. These filters are clickable to show games with similar features.
• The rating system is much more prominent or in your face, as seen in the contrasting bright red 18+ warning in the screenshot below.
• Percentage of positive and negative reviews for each product is now summarized at the top of each product page.

It also features an iTunes styled card layout, if it feels familiar that is because it was also used in steam big picture mode.

4. Your Discovery Queue

The least exciting feature in my opinion is the discovery queue which displays a list of 12 games that Steam suggests you may like. With the abundance of recommendations and suggestions all across Steam this is just overkill. Still I may be biased because of the familiarity I have with Steam and this may be more oriented towards new users. It is similar to your Greenlight queue.
Your Steam Discovery Queue is a powerful, new way of exploring the most popular new releases that you haven’t yet seen. You can quickly browse through games that are suggested for you, and you can choose to follow the game, add it to your Wishlist, purchase it, or indicate that you are not interested. Your Discovery Queue is automatically refreshed each day with new, top-selling releases.

5. The minor changelog

I read through the entire changelog for you and here are the highlights. (Although I would recommend a read, as it is well written with a sense of humour)

• Adding coloured indicators wherever titles are listed that show the item is in your library, on your wishlist, or in your cart.
• Updated the visual design, layout and typography. (Making the store blue)
• Removed the ‘Recommended for you’ page. This page has been replaced by the entire home page of Steam.
• Main page excludes titles that are already on your account.
• Added a ‘Not Interested’ button to each product page so you can indicate which products you don’t wish to see recommended or featured to you.
• Changed “Join Official Group” to “Follow” for games to more accurately describe the benefit of creating a relationship with that game. Following a game means you will see announcements from that game in your community activity feed.
• DRM is more clearly called out in right-hand column.

• Added a screenshot viewer for quickly viewing high resolution screenshots.
• The list of available tags is pre-approved now

[divider]

Bonus! – If anyone is interested the major text font used on the new page is Motiva Sans.
Bonus 2! – I would still recommend Enhanced steam as a great tool for anyone looking for the extra functionality.