Improvements to non-Steam games

[Jakob Fel]

With the growing prevalence of people using Steam as a sort of all-in-one PC games client (particularly on Linux, where Heroic Games Launcher auto-adds your GOG, Epic and Prime Gaming games to Steam), I feel like it's high time to improve the way non-Steam games work within Steam, because it really would be a great all-in-one games client if so.

First suggestion

Add time tracking for the games. It's mind-blowing we don't have this. I like to keep track of my time in my games and while other PC clients like Playnite would work for this (only Windows), it'd be nice to have it all linked to my Steam account instead. This is doubly true for Linux users. While Heroic does track GOG times and links to your GOG account, I don't believe it tracks your time with Epic games and I'm fairly certain it doesn't track your Amazon games.

Second suggestion

Basic community features would be nice. It seems you can upload screenshots if I'm not mistaken (haven't tried) but you can't post to your activity feed from the non-Steam game entry. This would be nice to make the game feel more like it's properly part of your library.

Third suggestion (but might be tricky)

Offer some way to integrate non-Steam versions of games with their Steam community hubs. Maybe posts made by people playing with a non-Steam version have an icon that indicates that they're a non-Steam player? Or perhaps there could be limitations on what you can do in the community hub? Obviously, this would only work for games that are actually on Steam as well, not for platform exclusives, but again: it'd be a cool way to make your game library feel more consistent.

I think these three main suggestions would go a very long way toward improving the way non-Steam games work within our Steam library and it'd give players yet another reason to just use Steam for everything. A lot of people want their games to all be on Steam, but in cases when they're not or when you got them on a different platform by choice, having these improvements would really make the experience of using Steam for third-party titles much more enjoyable and smooth.

[eram]

you may have to wait forever for any advances in non steam game functionality.

[Jakob Fel]

Originally posted by eram:

you may have to wait forever for any advances in non steam game functionality.

It's possible, but considering how heavily Valve has, and continues to, invest in Linux, I wouldn't say it's impossible that we'll ever see improvements.

[eram]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

Originally posted by eram:

you may have to wait forever for any advances in non steam game functionality.

It's possible, but considering how heavily Valve has, and continues to, invest in Linux, I wouldn't say it's impossible that we'll ever see improvements.

100%.. id like to see some improvements myself its just seems to be low down on the list.

[Brian9824]

There also isn't any real reason for Steam to do so, the entire point is they want the features lacking as an incentive for you to buy the game in their ecosystem.

[Gwarsbane]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

With the growing prevalence of people using Steam as a sort of all-in-one PC games client (particularly on Linux, where Heroic Games Launcher auto-adds your GOG, Epic and Prime Gaming games to Steam), I feel like it's high time to improve the way non-Steam games work within Steam, because it really would be a great all-in-one games client if so.

First suggestion

Add time tracking for the games. It's mind-blowing we don't have this. I like to keep track of my time in my games and while other PC clients like Playnite would work for this (only Windows), it'd be nice to have it all linked to my Steam account instead. This is doubly true for Linux users. While Heroic does track GOG times and links to your GOG account, I don't believe it tracks your time with Epic games and I'm fairly certain it doesn't track your Amazon games.

No they shouldn't add this stuff, its a reason for people buying their games on Steam. This would be making resources available for games that bring in no money to Steam.

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

Second suggestion

Basic community features would be nice. It seems you can upload screenshots if I'm not mistaken (haven't tried) but you can't post to your activity feed from the non-Steam game entry. This would be nice to make the game feel more like it's properly part of your library.

Why should they devote resources to games that are not on Steam and do not make them money? If its just to make the game feel more like its part of your library... well thats not a reason to waste money.

At least if it uses a Steam key, they might have items that can be sold on the market to bring them in money.

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

Third suggestion (but might be tricky)

Offer some way to integrate non-Steam versions of games with their Steam community hubs. Maybe posts made by people playing with a non-Steam version have an icon that indicates that they're a non-Steam player? Or perhaps there could be limitations on what you can do in the community hub? Obviously, this would only work for games that are actually on Steam as well, not for platform exclusives, but again: it'd be a cool way to make your game library feel more consistent.

I think these three main suggestions would go a very long way toward improving the way non-Steam games work within our Steam library and it'd give players yet another reason to just use Steam for everything. A lot of people want their games to all be on Steam, but in cases when they're not or when you got them on a different platform by choice, having these improvements would really make the experience of using Steam for third-party titles much more enjoyable and smooth.

If the game is already on Steam, then people should have bought it on Steam if they want the resources of Steam to be used for it. There is no reason for Valve to provide resources for games that were not sold or already through Steam.

The alternative would be to ask the games developer to provide free Steam keys for those games to you. But that would be 100% up to the developer, not Valve.

[AmsterdamHeavy]

"Amazon should let me watch Netflix"

[C²C^Guyver |NZB|]

Originally posted by AmsterdamHeavy:

"Amazon should let me watch Netflix"

This.

There's a reason why this stuff is missing in non-Steam games. Same reason why activating a game via a Steam key, doesn't show up in your activity feed.

...and yes, you can upload screenshots.

https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/2457366004081733329/D9C1198FDB29479C38DFF5CF1C8E6DDD961A32D0/?imw=5000&imh=5000&ima=fit&impolicy=Letterbox&imcolor=%23000000&letterbox=false

[Mad Scientist]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

all-in-one games client if so.

Its meant to compliment their store and act as a library... for steam activated games via their store. Not to reward non steam economy purchases.

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

First suggestion

Add time tracking for the games.

Given this is meant to reward the use of steam not non steam games, why?

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

Second suggestion

Basic community features would be nice. It seems you can upload screenshots if I'm not mistaken (haven't tried) but you can't post to your activity feed from the non-Steam game entry. This would be nice to make the game feel more like it's properly part of your library.

Third suggestion (but might be tricky)

Offer some way to integrate non-Steam versions of games with their Steam community hubs.

The point of having community functions is to have a license to the game on steam. It's basically a reward for putting money into the Steam economy or for using steam keys which is tied to their client rhus part of its economy.

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

Maybe posts made by people playing with a non-Steam version have an icon that indicates that they're a non-Steam player?

They don't hahe a way to verify you own it so there's no reason to. Not trying into other services just to verify that is a good move for valve. The icon for steam owned is self explanatory.

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

it'd be a cool way to make your game library feel more consistent.

The consistency is that you either have a steam license or you don't. Steams library gives more features for steam activated games.

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

With the growing prevalence of people using Steam as a sort of all-in-one PC games client (particularly on Linux, where Heroic Games Launcher auto-adds your GOG, Epic and Prime Gaming games to Steam), I feel like it's high time to improve the way non-Steam games work within Steam, because it really would be a great all-in-one games client if so.

First suggestion

Add time tracking for the games. It's mind-blowing we don't have this. I like to keep track of my time in my games and while other PC clients like Playnite would work for this (only Windows), it'd be nice to have it all linked to my Steam account instead. This is doubly true for Linux users. While Heroic does track GOG times and links to your GOG account, I don't believe it tracks your time with Epic games and I'm fairly certain it doesn't track your Amazon games.

Second suggestion

Basic community features would be nice. It seems you can upload screenshots if I'm not mistaken (haven't tried) but you can't post to your activity feed from the non-Steam game entry. This would be nice to make the game feel more like it's properly part of your library.

Third suggestion (but might be tricky)

Offer some way to integrate non-Steam versions of games with their Steam community hubs. Maybe posts made by people playing with a non-Steam version have an icon that indicates that they're a non-Steam player? Or perhaps there could be limitations on what you can do in the community hub? Obviously, this would only work for games that are actually on Steam as well, not for platform exclusives, but again: it'd be a cool way to make your game library feel more consistent.

I think these three main suggestions would go a very long way toward improving the way non-Steam games work within our Steam library and it'd give players yet another reason to just use Steam for everything. A lot of people want their games to all be on Steam, but in cases when they're not or when you got them on a different platform by choice, having these improvements would really make the experience of using Steam for third-party titles much more enjoyable and smooth.

Purchase on Steam to receive those Steam features.

[Creeper of Doom]

I really want Time Tracking. Dunno why it isn't there already. would be helpful and easy
Also, if Non-Steam Game Activity was displayed on your profile for all users instead of just Steam Friends

Also, Steam Friends should get notifications when one starts a Non-Steam Game (if enabled) just like how regular steam games do

[Jakob Fel]

Unbelievable, some of these replies. I'm already a happy customer here. I have over 900 games in my library. However, I also have games on other platforms, both ones I've purchased and ones received for free. Having really basic features to improve the experience of using Steam as an all-in-one shouldn't be controversial... yet, here we are. Whatever.

[Lithurge]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

wever, I also have games on other platforms, both ones I've purchased and ones received for free. Having really basic features to improve the experience of using Steam as an all-in-one shouldn't be controversial... yet, here we are. Whatever.

I agree there can be an air of negativity around suggestions, look at how often people said the ability to make games private would never happen, but equally there can be valid questions around suggestions, which are often made from an ideal world view that may not stack up in reality.

Both you and the OP looked at the benefit from your point of view, but haven't considered what the benefit is for Valve in doing this?

They have to pay the associated costs for implementing and maintaining these features, but what will this cost be offset by?

It removes an incentive for picking up a game on Steam over another launcher where it's available on multiple.

There will be no existing community for a game that's exclusive on another platform, why should they bear the cost of maintaining one for something they can't sell? Not to mention it's usually created when a publisher sets up the store page for the game and there won't be a store page in these cases.

They've shown continual growth in terms of user numbers, will this add any significant amount to that growth?

That's not to mention people being ready to pounce on them for any whiff of monopolistic practices.

Having said that, there doesn't seem to be much benefit to Valve around the private games functionality I mentioned earlier, so who knows?

[Jakob Fel]

Originally posted by Lithurge:

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

wever, I also have games on other platforms, both ones I've purchased and ones received for free. Having really basic features to improve the experience of using Steam as an all-in-one shouldn't be controversial... yet, here we are. Whatever.

I agree there can be an air of negativity around suggestions, look at how often people said the ability to make games private would never happen, but equally there can be valid questions around suggestions, which are often made from an ideal world view that may not stack up in reality.

Both you and the OP looked at the benefit from your point of view, but haven't considered what the benefit is for Valve in doing this?

They have to pay the associated costs for implementing and maintaining these features, but what will this cost be offset by?

It removes an incentive for picking up a game on Steam over another launcher where it's available on multiple.

There will be no existing community for a game that's exclusive on another platform, why should they bear the cost of maintaining one for something they can't sell? Not to mention it's usually created when a publisher sets up the store page for the game and there won't be a store page in these cases.

They've shown continual growth in terms of user numbers, will this add any significant amount to that growth?

That's not to mention people being ready to pounce on them for any whiff of monopolistic practices.

Having said that, there doesn't seem to be much benefit to Valve around the private games functionality I mentioned earlier, so who knows?

I mean, I can't imagine it'd take a whole lot of work to implement. The code is there, it'd just take some modifications (at least for tracking game time, or adding the activity feed feature) that probably a single programmer could design in an afternoon.

I understand the logic of not giving every feature to non-Steam games but a lot of people can neither afford nor do they want to rebuy a game on another platform just for some community features. I doubt having those features alone would be enough incentive for someone to "double-dip", as it were.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

I understand the logic of not giving every feature to non-Steam games but a lot of people can neither afford nor do they want to rebuy a game on another platform just for some community features. I doubt having those features alone would be enough incentive for someone to "double-dip", as it were.

It's less about double dipping and more as an incentive to have bought the game in the first place on Steam.

[Jakob Fel]

Originally posted by Brian9824:

Originally posted by Jakob Fel:

I understand the logic of not giving every feature to non-Steam games but a lot of people can neither afford nor do they want to rebuy a game on another platform just for some community features. I doubt having those features alone would be enough incentive for someone to "double-dip", as it were.

It's less about double dipping and more as an incentive to have bought the game in the first place on Steam.

Right, but you realize some games are released as exclusives (timed or otherwise) on other platforms? Moreover, some people want to fully own their games and buy on GOG. What's wrong with that?