As of 2024, one of the biggest platforms in the gaming world, Steam, has revamped its game-sharing and parental control systems, introducing a brand-new feature called Steam Families. But why is this new feature so important?

Game Sharing Becomes Easier with Steam!

Previously tested in beta, this new feature is now available to all users, replacing the old Family Sharing and Family View features. This update aims to make game sharing among family members more straightforward and flexible.

With Steam Families, up to six members can be part of a group, and each member’s library can be shared with the others. However, it’s important to note that some games may be restricted from sharing by their developers.

For example, while siblings previously had to watch each other play a game, they can now share the same game library across devices. However, playing the same game simultaneously on multiple devices is still not possible.

One of the most notable aspects of this update is the freedom to play different games at the same time. For instance, while your partner plays Cyberpunk 2077 from your library, you can play Warzone without any issues. If a game has multiple copies in the family library, like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, both you and your sibling can play it simultaneously.

Steam also announced that the old Family Sharing feature will soon be removed entirely, which may affect users sharing games across different locations. It’s unclear whether the new system will be limited to the same internet provider, but the phrase “Access this information from anywhere you use Steam, including your mobile device” suggests a potential restriction similar to Netflix’s same-household login policy.

With all these new features, the Steam Families update is a big step that will please many users. However, for those hoping for a more advanced sharing system that allows simultaneous gameplay, the good news is still yet to come.