The "Let's Steam Together" update, recrafting how local co-op is done on PC

[Ryan]

The idea behind the "Let's Steam Together" update, is that it allows multiple accounts to sign into one Steam Client, to give game developers the tools to dramatically improve local co-op, give the couch gamers an alternative to those gross consoles. Give a reason for that big screen mode to actually exist.

The way I envision it, and I do take positive criticism;
A main account signs in, and once signed in, it allows secondary accounts to sign in as well. For security reasons, only the main account will be linked to the store, profile, etc. This would also give a good reason to remake the sign in box to give the option to remember usernames in a list that have previously signed into the PC, so it's easier for families using the same PC.

The tools offered to developers would be to allow local co-op games to take advantage of the secondary accounts signed in, and load cloud saves and progress. A few examples; Goat Simulator which only allows local coop, has many collectables and unlockables. With this feature if the developers took advantage of it, when people are with family and friends, they can save progress and continue later.

The local co-op streaming service Steam released recently would also benefit from this, auto signing in to that client from afar, and back off when disconnected.

I also think that while a secondary profile is signed in, the library for that account should become available as a playable game for the party.

A great way to launch this update would be to launch it along side major local co-op updates to Valve's flagship games such as Team Fortress 2, and Portal 2. (And I'm sure the TF2 fanbase would enjoy another update.), give developers an idea on how they can utilize these tools.

As far as I know, no other game hosting service has anything like this. Consoles do, but I think it's been some sort of "off limits" vibe, like, people think PC can't be a family machine. But I think that's wrong, and I think Valve can profit greatly off of this concept, lead the charge on what local co-op on PC should be. The recent local co-op game streaming that Steam released was a great step in the right direction, I think it's time to take it another step forward.

[Ryan]

Wow. Must have been such a great idea, it left everyone speechless.

[Ryan]

No? Not even a "this idea sucks"?

[Komrade]

Originally posted by Kitten:

Wow. Must have been such a great idea, it left everyone speechless.

Originally posted by Kitten:

No? Not even a "this idea sucks"?

FYI, you aren’t allowed to bump a thread on the forums.

[WhiteKnight]

Who knows Valve might have similar idea or even better?.

[Darren]

Originally posted by Kitten:

No? Not even a "this idea sucks"?

Nope I just planned to let this die in obscurity. Since you bumped it twice though. The lack of security of signing into my account on a machine that isn't owned by me is ridiculous. Like all other sharing of your login details it's extremely unwise and risks your account.

Remote Play Together I could see it since you've logged into your own account securely and are just joining in. But that requires developers to do work to support it and I don't know if they want to at this stage.

[Ryan]

Originally posted by Darren:

Originally posted by Kitten:

No? Not even a "this idea sucks"?

Nope I just planned to let this die in obscurity. Since you bumped it twice though. The lack of security of signing into my account on a machine that isn't owned by me is ridiculous. Like all other sharing of your login details it's extremely unwise and risks your account.

Remote Play Together I could see it since you've logged into your own account securely and are just joining in. But that requires developers to do work to support it and I don't know if they want to at this stage.

Well, this would be for families and friends. Same way you'd play on an xbox or a playstation. You're not just signing into a machine you don't know. And as a secondary account, the computer operator wouldn't have access to any of your things. The idea of the tools the developers are given just allow them to access cloud saves that are already available, and is really only a little bit of extra code, since the cloud access availability is already there for the main account.