Valve has rolled out a beta update for its Steam client, just in time for the Christmas season. This update brings long-awaited privacy features and more versatile shopping cart options, enhancing the user experience on the popular gaming platform.

Users can opt into the beta client to use the new features

For two decades, Steam users have requested the ability to keep certain games private in their libraries. Valve has finally responded with a beta feature that lets players mark games as private. This means that users can hide games from their library, along with associated achievements and playtime. It’s a significant step for Steam, which started as a simple launcher for Counter-Strike in 2003 and has since evolved into a comprehensive gaming service.

Welcome to Steam

To use this new privacy feature, Steam users need to opt into the beta client. This involves a simple process of changing settings in the Steam client, after which users can select games to mark as private. This feature is especially useful for those who prefer to keep their gaming habits discreet or for games they might not want publicly displayed.

Another notable addition is the improved shopping cart functionality. With the festive season in full swing, this feature is timely for users buying gifts. The updated shopping cart allows for inline gifting, enabling users to buy multiple gifts in one transaction, a convenience for those looking to gift games to friends. Additionally, the unified shopping cart syncs across all devices, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.

These updates come ahead of the Steam Winter Sale, a much-anticipated event for gamers. With these new features, Steam is showing its commitment to evolving and catering to its users’ needs. The introduction of privacy settings and streamlined gifting options indicates Valve’s dedication to enhancing user privacy and convenience, setting the stage for more user-centric updates in the future. Steam’s evolution continues to impress, solidifying its position as a leading digital gaming platform.

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