Steam and Its Fight Against "Shovelware"

[Imon Spartan]

"80% of the games released on Steam in 2024 were never played.

- Key points: In 2024, nearly 19,000 games were released on Steam, but most failed to attract players or generate significant sales.
Out of the 18,992 titles launched, 14,951 games (80%) were barely played or purchased.
Only 4,041 games surpassed the popularity threshold needed to escape the "limited" status.

- In detail: Many of these games are labeled as "limited" on the platform, meaning they lack features like achievements or trading cards.
This initiative was implemented by Valve as a measure to combat shovelware (low-quality games) and potential scams.
To remove the "limited" label, a game must meet a certain level of popularity and sales, though Valve has not publicly disclosed the specific criteria.

- Impact on the platform: Despite criticism, Valve argues that its "limited games" system is crucial for maintaining the platform's quality.
Without this barrier, Steam could be flooded with games created solely to inflate statistics or exploit collectors, making it harder for players to find quality content and for high-quality developers to succeed in sales."

Source: https://kotaku.com/steam-19-000-new-games-limited-pc-valve-unplayed-80-1851738322

For those who don’t know, there was recently a scandal involving Steam following an investigation.

To summarize addresses the issue of "shovelware," low-quality games quickly created with pre-made assets, whose main goal is to flood the market and generate revenue through the sale of keys in random bundles. These practices not only deceive consumers but also degrade the overall quality of digital distribution platforms.

To give you an idea: A developer uploads a shovelware game made in about 10 minutes, priced at 50 cents. They purchase the game with multiple accounts to generate very positive reviews and then raise the game's price to $60. They repeat this process with several games and later create bundles on websites like Instagaming, priced at $5–$10, promising to provide games worth over $50 with very positive reviews.

What do you think? Personally, I like that Steam is taking the initiative, but I don’t think it’s enough yet. Recently, I’ve been noticing how the Points Shop is filling up with repetitive content. There are quite a few low-quality adult games, especially pornographic ones, uploading the same repeated content to the Points Shop (same frames, same wallpapers, etc.), and honestly, I feel like this is affecting the overall quality of the shop.

I support the inclusion of adult games focused on pornography or erotica, but there’s a clear need for proper filtering to prevent the shop from being filled with literal junk. I really wish they would enforce stricter quality control when approving new games for the platform.

That said, this is another topic for debate, and I just wanted to share with you the matter of shovelware. Have a great day!

[BJWyler]

Yeah, rage bait YouTubers aren't the win you think it is. And shovelware has been a thing for at least the past 30 odd years mate.

Good thing is, in today's industry you don't get to dictate what a good game is and what games people are allowed to play. Each individual can do that for themselves, as it should be. Ignore the games you don't like. Play the ones you do like. It's not rocket science.

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by BJWyler:

Yeah, rage bait YouTubers aren't the win you think it is. And shovelware has been a thing for at least the past 30 odd years mate.

Good thing is, in today's industry you don't get to dictate what a good game is and what games people are allowed to play. Each individual can do that for themselves, as it should be. Ignore the games you don't like. Play the ones you do like. It's not rocket science.

I’m not sure what your concept of “rage bait” is, but this YouTuber is actually one of the most respected figures in the Spanish-speaking community, having even won awards for his investigative videos related to the gaming industry.

On the other hand, without derailing the main topic, regarding the issue of shovelware, I believe that just because a problem has existed for 30 years doesn’t mean it should be ignored—quite the opposite. Action should be taken to address it. And let’s be serious, everyone can tell the difference between a game that’s a “scam” and one that’s just bad but still a legitimate game.

If Steam steps up and implements an internal barometer to prevent, as much as possible, the influx of this type of game, it will always benefit the user in the long run.

[Brian9824]

Shovelware has existed as long as software existed. The problem with Steam or anyone else fighting it is it sucks when a game you like gets lumped as shovelware.

It seems more and more people are relying on companies to tell them what to buy or what not to buy instead of doing their own research and deciding for themselves. I never even see 99% of that shovelware and neither do others as it won't show up on lists, it doesn't get mentioned, my friends don't play it, etc.

You have to really look hard to find that garbage. But some people might actually like it like those mahjong style games.

[BJWyler]

Originally posted by Imon Spartan:

Originally posted by BJWyler:

Yeah, rage bait YouTubers aren't the win you think it is. And shovelware has been a thing for at least the past 30 odd years mate.

Good thing is, in today's industry you don't get to dictate what a good game is and what games people are allowed to play. Each individual can do that for themselves, as it should be. Ignore the games you don't like. Play the ones you do like. It's not rocket science.

I’m not sure what your concept of “rage bait” is, but this YouTuber is actually one of the most respected figures in the Spanish-speaking community, having even won awards for his investigative videos related to the gaming industry.

On the other hand, without derailing the main topic, regarding the issue of shovelware, I believe that just because a problem has existed for 30 years doesn’t mean it should be ignored—quite the opposite. Action should be taken to address it. And let’s be serious, everyone can tell the difference between a game that’s a “scam” and one that’s just bad but still a legitimate game.

If Steam steps up and implements an internal barometer to prevent, as much as possible, the influx of this type of game, it will always benefit the user in the long run.

Rage bait is rage bait, Sonny Jim, and it's basically the YouTube modus operandi. Investigative journalism into shovelware - yeah the jokes write themselves.

Again, nothing new to see here, and every game has a report button on the Steam store page to report those that violate the partner agreement or other regulations. Valve takes action against those when appropriate. Just remember that what one person things is a scam might not actually be a scam. There's nothing illegal about making a crappy game and putting it on Steam. Valve has had systems in place to limit things far longer than the great "investigative jounalist" had been around.

And again, for emphasis. Each individual can make their own grown up decisions on what is a good game and what they enjoy playing. No one else has the right to make that decision for them.

[J4MESOX4D]

Your title of; Steam and Its Fight Against "Shovelware" should actually be called; Steam and Its ''Fight Against'' Shovelware. Because shovelware exists but the fight against it doesn't.

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by BJWyler:

Originally posted by Imon Spartan:

I’m not sure what your concept of “rage bait” is, but this YouTuber is actually one of the most respected figures in the Spanish-speaking community, having even won awards for his investigative videos related to the gaming industry.

On the other hand, without derailing the main topic, regarding the issue of shovelware, I believe that just because a problem has existed for 30 years doesn’t mean it should be ignored—quite the opposite. Action should be taken to address it. And let’s be serious, everyone can tell the difference between a game that’s a “scam” and one that’s just bad but still a legitimate game.

If Steam steps up and implements an internal barometer to prevent, as much as possible, the influx of this type of game, it will always benefit the user in the long run.

Rage bait is rage bait, Sonny Jim, and it's basically the YouTube modus operandi. Investigative journalism into shovelware - yeah the jokes write themselves.

Again, nothing new to see here, and every game has a report button on the Steam store page to report those that violate the partner agreement or other regulations. Valve takes action against those when appropriate. Just remember that what one person things is a scam might not actually be a scam. There's nothing illegal about making a crappt game and putting it on Steam. Valve has had systems in place to limit things far longer than the great "investigative jounalist" had been around.

And again, for emphasis. Each individual can make their own grown up decisions on what is a good game and what they enjoy playing. No one else has the right to make that decision for them.

I was going to respond to you, but I realized that we would end up in a debate about YouTubers and the cultural differences between each community, and that would be off-topic.

I’ll focus on what truly matters: your opinion on Valve’s decision regarding new releases, and that’s what counts. Thanks for commenting.

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Your title of; Steam and Its Fight Against "Shovelware" should actually be called; Steam and Its ''Fight Against'' Shovelware. Because shovelware exists but the fight against it doesn't.

You’re right, it’s also true that I wanted to focus the conversation on the number of releases we’ve had this year on Steam and their absolute failure in terms of percentage, but I ended up focusing too much on the shovelware issue.

[Vox]

Then don't buy shovelware, the platform has refunds too. As others have stated, shovelware has existed for a long time.

[BJWyler]

Originally posted by Imon Spartan:

Originally posted by J4MESOX4D:

Your title of; Steam and Its Fight Against "Shovelware" should actually be called; Steam and Its ''Fight Against'' Shovelware. Because shovelware exists but the fight against it doesn't.

You’re right, it’s also true that I wanted to focus the conversation on the number of releases we’ve had this year on Steam and their absolute failure in terms of percentage, but I ended up focusing too much on the shovelware issue.

Except that's not an issue either. Some years have always been better than others, and great games tend to monopolize a player's time, even from year to year. I have a whole backlog of games I bought the year they released and haven't touched, including 2024, simply because I've got older ones I'm finally getting around to playing or finishing up.

This may sound like a broken record but no one user on Steam is the Guru of Good Games, and certainly no one on Steam should be making decisions on what games Steam should be selling or what anyone else should be buying and playing. People who constantly complain about the state of gaming have what is described as a "you problem." And they need to rethink for themselves whether they should consider pursuing this hobby or not. The rest of us are enjoying the games we are buying, shovelware and all.

[Nx Machina]

Is playing games released in 2024 mandatory? No.

Do views = income for clickbait videos? Absolutely and the YouTuber doesn't give a personal damn about you.

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Is playing games released in 2024 mandatory? No.

Do views = income for clickbait videos? Absolutely and the YouTuber doesn't give a personal damn about you.

You are focusing on the YouTube video when I only posted it for context, instead of the actual news about the releases and the decision made by Valve, which is the issue I raised to gather general opinions from the community.

The video and the YouTuber don’t matter, they are just context; what I want to know is the opinion on the news from the beginning.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Plaid:

I shudder to think what someone who has never been to Steam might think when seeing the "New Releases" on any given day. Maybe without the knowledge that there is no product curation, lol. You don't expect that going to any other store.

But then, Steam isn't a store, it's a "marketplace" as they put it.
A marketplace with derpy security guards.

I mean you get what you pay for, if you want to buy a rhinestone studded leopard print thong with neon lights you can. In the end its all about your personal tastes. No one is forcing anyone to buy these games, ive never found myself buying shovelware without knowing it.

Now if your doing what the OP does and buying blind boxes from random sites then you aren't getting AAA games for pennies and if you think otherwise you have no one to blame but yourself

[ShelLuser]

Oh dear, a YouTuber looking for more "exposure" and "likes and subscribes", what else is new?

Sorry, no matter what Tuber it is that is basically always my first reaction when a Tuber is involved, because there's pretty much always a deeper agenda at work. Including getting butthurt over something and instead of moving on... but alas.

As for the shovelware... it's not Steam's place to "fight" that. Steam is a marketplace, and a marketplace should have no say in what gets placed on that; with the obvious exception for stuff that breaks rules and/or laws (duh!).

One players shovelware is another players treasure.

I have some "lewd" RPG games in my library which were ridiculously cheap, definitely had shallow gameplay but at the same time they were also funny as heck. The developer even poked fun at themselves for this type of game, making it even more fun to play for me.

I'm pretty sure some Steamers would call it "shovelware" and a "waste of cash" whereas I honestly had a great time playing those. Mission accomplished if you ask me.

It's not the market, it's the clients who should "fight" shovelware.

As always: protest with your wallet, and maybe stop buying such games if you don't like 'm. Something that seems to be happening already, given the OP.

So... I fail to see the problem?

[Imon Spartan]

Originally posted by Brian9824:

Now if your doing what the OP does

?

[Crazy Tiger]

So the issue is that games exist that people might not find interesting or like?

As said, shovelware has always existed. People who think it was different decades ago never actually looked at all the games available for each console and pc. Man, we had lots of crap games back then as well.

More products being made in a lively entertainment market that has broadened a lot in audiences is nothing out of the ordinary either.

Youtubers creating fake outrage isn't relevant either.

People purchasing mystery bundles fool themselves if they expect anythinf other than getting crap mostly. Learn how such things work.

So, I don't see an issue here.

Originally posted by Plaid:

I You don't expect that going to any other store.

Amazon, ali express, etc aren't different in that. Lots of junk on there that I can't imagine people actually buy.