Store Search Exclusion Filter

[Chill]

The Store search filter needs a != or other similar way to filter out content.

Examples of != filters would exclude content:
-In Library
-VR Required
-DLC
-Free/Free to Play
-Filter for all current tags/filters


It is currently impossible to specifically search for:
+Game -In library -Requires VR.
+Game -DLC/Mod
+Game -Tag (Action/Adventure/Indie/Casual/etc.)
+Game -Free/Free to Play
+Demo -Requires VR

Adding this functionality to the search engine would allow end users to better and more efficiently search the store. The practicality of this is instantly recognized by anyone using the store to specifically search within the vast and growing library of games available on Steam.

This implementation could work to eliminate several issues and nuisances. Possibly mitigating some of the whining about "shovelware" and "bad games" that are perceived to be "cluttering" the store. Simply ticking a filter to exclude "Indie" games could do wonders for these users, who generally only want AAA developer titles.



The profitability of this implementation comes from providing the user a steamlined tool to quickly search and find exactly the content they have in mind to purchase.
You already know that very few users will go more than a few pages in search for content, and fewer still will buy anything if they need to look that deep for it.
Making content easily accessible and available to buy is the name of the game and this implementation is just one more way to improve what you're already doing.

[wuddih]

is already implemented, just not easily accessible for you.

[Chill]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von wuddih:

is already implemented, just not easily accessible for you.

Indeed, and exactly the reason I suggested it.

Similar to altering the storefront content; usability shouldn't be up to the users scripting skills or reading tutorials on how to create custom skins to "fix" default settings. These features should be standard.

Frankly it's atrocious that the user has more control over their meaningless profile than they do over the Storefront which is intended to generate revenue.

[Black Blade]

I will like to point out you can remove VR games i think any way with the settings here:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

You can also filter out DLC by simply filtering for games:
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=998

Demo Reqrires VR: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=10&vrsupport=401

Free to play: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?tags=113&category1=998

So did I miss something? FYI all links created inside the Steam client with the build in tools

And overall i do agree will be nice to have more build in stuff

[Chill]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

I will like to point out you can remove VR games i think any way with the settings here:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

Yes, that is an option to remove them entirely. However that's a long way to go just to remove it for one search. Especially if I'm just doing a "one off" or "on a whim" search. Could be I have a VR headset but I'm just not searching for a VR title this time.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

You can also filter out DLC by simply filtering for games:
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=998

If this were true, filtering "+games" and then typing "demo" in the "enter search term or tag" search box at the top wouldn't return a list of demos. Unfortunately it does return demos and doesn't even list half of the demos that don't have "demo" in the title. I've scrolled through about a hundred of the 21k+ pages of the "+games" filter and found around 20 demos mixed in before I decided that the current functionality is not working as intended.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

Demo Reqrires VR: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=10&vrsupport=401

"+Demo" "-VR"
Meaning I'd like to filter to see all demos, but not see any demos requiring VR. Yes, I could hide all VR content, but again that's a long way to go for a simple one time search.
If I've got a demo on Steam that isn't VR, why should it be mixed in the bag with the VR demos? Seems like mixing apples with oranges, and a tad biased to be able to filter for "+VR Only" and "+VR Supported" but not being able to filter the inverse.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

Free to play: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?tags=113&category1=998

"+Game" "-F2P"
Meaning I'd like to see all games, but not see any F2P titles.
Currently checking "+games" and sorting by lowest price will return tens of pages of F2P games.

(Ironically, using your exact link and sorting by "Highest Price", the first page will return "The Orange Box--$19.99" and "Call to Arms - Basic Edition--$29.99" "Warhammer 40,000:Eternal Crusade--$19.99." These games are not free. So even that method of filtering for only F2P games is broken.)

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

So did I miss something? FYI all links created inside the Steam client with the build in tools
And overall i do agree will be nice to have more build in stuff

Like Wuddih said above, it's not impossible to use a custom UI script, workaround mod, or sketchy 3rd party software to jury rig Steam into showing me what I want to see, but that's not the point of this suggestion. This kind of search engine functionality should be prioritized as a profitability fix with real world returns on the development time spent to implement the features.

The Steam search engine should be robust and easy to use.
People need to have access to what is on Steam in order to be able to buy it.

Most will agree the Storefront isn't doing it. I say this because there's multiple threads a month with someone whining about it. But also because I'm thousands of games into my discovery queue and I rarely see a single "suggested" title where I can fully understand why it is being suggested to me. Showing me "New" games works great in the header slideshow, but only if I remember to add it to my 50+ backlogged wishlist and then also remember to buy it.

Curators are doing their best, but having them do the legwork feels like Valve is using the Girl Scout method for selling cookies as a platform for game publishing. Sure it works (sort of?), but is this really the future for mainstream marketing so much so that it's so prominent on the storefront? (Aren't there several suggestions asking to block/turn off curators and a response with how to custom UI script them out?)

I don't want any of this to come off as entirely negative. I'm a 1000 title library, public profile, full on Steam supporter. I love what is going on here. I buy 99% of my games using the Steam DRM. I tell everyone I know how they are missing out if their games aren't using Steam as their go to platform.

I just find the default search engine functionality to be vastly underpowered for what it should be. People ARE searching for games here, and they use the search function to find games. In fact, this entire suggestion grew from an off-topic workgroup discussion about being unable to efficiently find specific types of games on the Steam platform.

I really do want Steam to grow .
This is one way I feel it could.
--By giving users the power to find exactly what they are searching for quickly and easily.

[JPMcMillen]

An exclusion filter needs to work for all searches on Steam. The store, the forums, even the market.

I don't know how many times a -foil exclusion would have made lookup up trading card prices a lot easier.

[Black Blade]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Chill:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

I will like to point out you can remove VR games i think any way with the settings here:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

Yes, that is an option to remove them entirely. However that's a long way to go just to remove it for one search. Especially if I'm just doing a "one off" or "on a whim" search. Could be I have a VR headset but I'm just not searching for a VR title this time.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

You can also filter out DLC by simply filtering for games:
http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=998

If this were true, filtering "+games" and then typing "demo" in the "enter search term or tag" search box at the top wouldn't return a list of demos. Unfortunately it does return demos and doesn't even list half of the demos that don't have "demo" in the title. I've scrolled through about a hundred of the 21k+ pages of the "+games" filter and found around 20 demos mixed in before I decided that the current functionality is not working as intended.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

Demo Reqrires VR: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?category1=10&vrsupport=401

"+Demo" "-VR"
Meaning I'd like to filter to see all demos, but not see any demos requiring VR. Yes, I could hide all VR content, but again that's a long way to go for a simple one time search.
If I've got a demo on Steam that isn't VR, why should it be mixed in the bag with the VR demos? Seems like mixing apples with oranges, and a tad biased to be able to filter for "+VR Only" and "+VR Supported" but not being able to filter the inverse.

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

Free to play: http://store.steampowered.com/search/?tags=113&category1=998

"+Game" "-F2P"
Meaning I'd like to see all games, but not see any F2P titles.
Currently checking "+games" and sorting by lowest price will return tens of pages of F2P games.

(Ironically, using your exact link and sorting by "Highest Price", the first page will return "The Orange Box--$19.99" and "Call to Arms - Basic Edition--$29.99" "Warhammer 40,000:Eternal Crusade--$19.99." These games are not free. So even that method of filtering for only F2P games is broken.)

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Black Blade:

So did I miss something? FYI all links created inside the Steam client with the build in tools
And overall i do agree will be nice to have more build in stuff

Like Wuddih said above, it's not impossible to use a custom UI script, workaround mod, or sketchy 3rd party software to jury rig Steam into showing me what I want to see, but that's not the point of this suggestion. This kind of search engine functionality should be prioritized as a profitability fix with real world returns on the development time spent to implement the features.

The Steam search engine should be robust and easy to use.
People need to have access to what is on Steam in order to be able to buy it.

Most will agree the Storefront isn't doing it. I say this because there's multiple threads a month with someone whining about it. But also because I'm thousands of games into my discovery queue and I rarely see a single "suggested" title where I can fully understand why it is being suggested to me. Showing me "New" games works great in the header slideshow, but only if I remember to add it to my 50+ backlogged wishlist and then also remember to buy it.

Curators are doing their best, but having them do the legwork feels like Valve is using the Girl Scout method for selling cookies as a platform for game publishing. Sure it works (sort of?), but is this really the future for mainstream marketing so much so that it's so prominent on the storefront? (Aren't there several suggestions asking to block/turn off curators and a response with how to custom UI script them out?)

I don't want any of this to come off as entirely negative. I'm a 1000 title library, public profile, full on Steam supporter. I love what is going on here. I buy 99% of my games using the Steam DRM. I tell everyone I know how they are missing out if their games aren't using Steam as their go to platform.

I just find the default search engine functionality to be vastly underpowered for what it should be. People ARE searching for games here, and they use the search function to find games. In fact, this entire suggestion grew from an off-topic workgroup discussion about being unable to efficiently find specific types of games on the Steam platform.

I really do want Steam to grow .
This is one way I feel it could.
--By giving users the power to find exactly what they are searching for quickly and easily.

Ya sorry miss read that XD
And over all i do agree if i frogot to say it there, that will be really good if added, i know as i use it with Enhanced Steam that all raedy added it

[MikeOxabigun]

Nice quote.