Steam, the leading platform for PC gaming, has launched a new feature called ‘Steam Families’ within its beta client.
One of the key highlights of Steam Families is its centralised family management system. This system replaces Steam Family Sharing and Steam Family View, providing users a single location to manage their family’s gaming activities. Users can create a dedicated Steam Family group and invite up to five family members, simplifying game sharing and access protocol.
When family members join the Steam Families account, they can access the shared library of games owned by other family members. This allows them to enjoy a wide range of titles without purchasing individual copies.
Moreover, individuals can have their saved games and progress, earn the Steam achievements rewards, and have access to workshop files.
Additionally, Steam Families offers robust parental control features. Parents can set restrictions on game access, implement playtime limits, and control access to various Steam features such as the Store, Community, and Friends Chat.
These controls can be managed from the Steam Client, mobile devices, or web browsers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable gaming experience for children.
To simplify the purchasing process, Steam Families introduces a streamlined payment option. Child accounts can request purchases from adult family members, who can approve and complete the transaction remotely via mobile devices or email.
Users interested in the new Steam Families feature can opt into the Steam Family Beta. Once opted in, they gain access to the Family Management settings, allowing them to seamlessly create and manage their Steam Family group.
To join the Steam beta, head to Settings > Client Beta Participation > Steam Family Beta. Steam will prompt you to restart the interface. Once you do this, head to Account Details > Family Management.
Steam has also provided an option to leave the Steam Families. However, this will take at least one year for adults. Children cannot remove themselves and can only be removed by adults.
Currently, many games including Helldivers 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Cyberpunk 77, Palworld, Elden Ring, Forza Horizon 5, and Hogwarts Legacy, among others, support the Steam Families feature.
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