Although it is true, video games have been one of the types of entertainment content with the largest number of users worldwide, for many years. But, beyond video consoles, today PCs are the most used devices to enjoy these games.
For that reason, there are currently many platforms available in which you can find an extensive catalog with titles of all genres, ranging from the most traditional to the newest released on the market. Taking into account that these are preferred by users because it is more simple, powerful and versatile to play from a computer.
Thus, one of the best platforms you can go to for manage video games through a PC is Steam. which is highly recognized by the gamer. Next, learn more about this interface, the steps to follow to download games there and some alternatives in this regard.
What is Steam, what is it for and how much does a game on this platform cost?
It is a digital gaming platform for PC that has been operating since 2003 and since then, it has positioned itself as one of the best alternatives in the video game industry worldwide. Thanks to this, it has more than 67 million active users each month, especially because it has a library that houses more than 12,000 video games.
For its part, Steam offers you the facility to download and install any number of titles on your computer without any problem. Thus, an ideal environment for PC players to save and collect a wide variety of digital games and also live with a community of millions of people who are passionate about this type of content, which is known as Steam Community.
In this sense, it is necessary to note that Steam is used to enjoy various games from an account active there through a PC online, it allows download extremely fast so you just need a few minutes to be entertained for hours.
Also, this platform provides you with the ease of save your games in the cloudyou can play with a controller on PC, use a voice chat with friends, share all your games with them, etc.
But, You will surely want to know if it is a completely free solution or if you will have to pay to use it. Well, we emphasize that it is not necessary to pay a monthly fee to be able to access it, since it only requires downloading the client and installing it.
Nevertheless, you will have to pay for the games you want to run and in case you can’t do it, the same Steam platform offers you a section called “Free To Play” which basically allows you to find free titles.
Now, regarding the prices of these games that you can pay on the platform, it is important to detail that They are much cheaper than those that are managed on video consoles. This, thanks to the fact that the PC is an open platform and nobody has the right to charge for the license to publish a game on Steam or similar interfaces.
Also, you may get lucky and find discounts of up to 50 or 70% at special times of the year. Taking into account that, it gives you a remarkable ease of payment: Through credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and others), prepaid cards (PaySafeCardfor instance), PayPal and even accept Bitcoin.
Steps to download and install a game from the Steam catalog easy and fast
As we have indicated, Steam has an extensive library where it exhibits various games that can be adjusted to all the tastes of its users. However, before delighting yourself with that long list of titles, it is of great importance to know how you can install one belonging to the catalog simply and quickly.
Here are the steps to follow:
Download Steam on your computer
To begin with, you must search for the program on a reliable website to proceed with its download. But basically the same platform store It provides you with the file to install on your PC.
Once you enter there, you have to complete these steps:
- Go to the top right of the window and look for the option “Install Steam”.
- Once you click on said selection, you will be shown a new screen from which you can situate the software. For what is necessary your equipment meets certain specifications.
- Finally, you will get the program on your hard drive, after starting its installation. It is worth noting that it only has a weight of 5 meg.
Proceed to install the software on the hard drive
The second step to execute, is to install the program. Which is completely simple after going through a few screens with brief information about the service that Steam provides, everything related to your license, connection speed and language. Also, you will ask for the installation directory.
For its part, it is possible that, at the end of the installation process, an update will be downloaded to the system, but this will take a few minutes. In addition to this, you can also, if you do not have it.
In order to open an account in this service, you only need to enter a name, a password, provide an active email address and select any security questions. Through it, you will have access to the community of “gamers” and various menus (Shop, Library, News and Community).
Enter the “Shop” option and buy
The first option you can enter is the platform shop. There, you will find a library full of video games of all kinds and at very good prices. Since, in addition to showing you the most outstanding and recommended content by the same system, it also has a section of “Special offers”where you can enjoy discounts between 50, 70 and up to 75%.
On the other hand, you can also make use of a menu available on the interface to navigate through the entire catalog of games in a sectioned manner. Either to review the titles depending on gender Or, to just watch Mac games, demos, videos, or personalized recommendations for each user.
Among other details, We highlight that when buying a video game on Steam, it is not necessary to renew said subscription to continue enjoying it through the platform. In addition to this, it allows you to give away games to another user and the cost will be added to your particular account.
Go to Manage Library
In this menu, you can locate four sections that are: Games, Multimedia, Tools and Downloads. Next, the most relevant indications for each of them:
- Games: In this section you can see the list of games activated in your account, just in the left column. In addition, they show you the recently played titles, the ones that are installed and the favorites. You have two buttons, one is the “+” symbol with which you can choose to see the game icon and the other button allows you to run said title. You can also choose its display method.
- Multimedia: This section is related to the games you have downloaded, meaning that Steam provides you with all this information easily.
- Tools: Allows you to locate the utilities offered by the system for various video games (such as Dedicated Servers or SDK, for example).
- downloads: Logically, this section displays all the data you are downloading, based on your progress. Whether it’s the full games, videos or updates.
List of the best alternative stores to Steam to buy games
In addition to this great platform, there are also many others that make it easy to obtain video games to manage them through the PC. That is why it is also important know others that offer good characteristics, such as the following:
origin.com
Apart from Steam, this is another of the best platforms to access a large number of video games from anywhere in the world. Indeed, it comprises a remarkable number of currently active usersbeing one of the most used platforms.
In order to use Originnecessary pay a subscriptionthat is to say, it is a paid service over the internet and from that, they provide you with a unique key to access when you want and from the computer you want. In addition to this, it stands out for providing very famous titles such as “Fifa”for instance.
Battle.net
From this service, it is possible to distribute and play various titles, among which are: Diablo III, World Of Warcraft Overwatch, etc. Being a platform owned by the production company Blizzard, which brings together millions of users around the world.
For its part, it is a very well organized platform and thanks to this, users can access their games easily and quickly, of course, after Download the official Battle.net client on PC that you are going to use.
GoG.com (Good Old Games)
Despite the fact that it has users from all over the world, it is a very popular platform. among a large English-speaking community. This, thanks to the fact that it is owned by CD Projekt, which is in charge of providing classic games without DRM. So that, No an internet connection is required to run the titles.
It is worth noting that, in GoG you can find several of the AAA and indie titles and it also offers most of the famous video games in this industry, providing them at a completely affordable price. Especially, because it provides offers every week on a constant basis.
gamejolt.com
Refers to a freeware and commercial game hosting service with functions completely social. Thus, an ideal platform for both developers and consumers. As for the latter, it allows them to navigate through different categories with great simplicity to place the title you want.
For their part, at GameJolt developers will be able to publish their own game and indicate the price of this as they wish; being of great help to make himself known in the entertainment industry. As for the interface of the service, it is very easy to use and keeps you informed about the brand new Game Jams.
HumbleBundle.com
It is characterized by offering game packages or bundles during each week. Which, generally, contains three titles. However, if you choose to expand it to your liking, you can pay more for it and get them. Given that, fortunately, these can be adjusted depending on the requirements of each client.
For its part, it is a very cheap solution in comparison with steamthanks to the fact that it admits a minimum payment amount of one dollar or, 0.89 euro. On the other hand, for greater advantage, the platform allows you allocate part of what you cancel to the charities available there and thus, you will be able to help those who need it most.
Facebook Comments
Disqus