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Steam releases Android and iOS mobile app

by Steven Williamson on 27 January 2012, 13:24

Tags: Valve

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Valve has finally got into the app game by releasing a Steam Mobile application on Android and iOS devices.

The Steam Mobile app is available to download immediately, although it will only give you a chance to participate in the closed beta phase before it’s unleashed in full to the public at an unknown later date.

Among the features on offer, you can browse groups and profiles, view screenshots, chat with friends and purchase titles direct from the store.



"The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale - these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone."

There are also news feed to keep up with the latest gaming news and the option to snoop on friend’s current activity.

Steam is currently the leading platform for the delivery and management of PC and Mac games with over 40 million accounts around the world and over 1,800 titles offered through its website.

With a marketplace brimming with great games to browse on the go, the introduction of the app is a wise move by Steam who must be salivating at the prospect of all those smartphone-owning impulse buyers!


HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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hells yes! its about time
Seems I'll have to await a BETA key to get access :(
Call me cynical, but don't iOS and Android (well most of the latter) already have decent app stores? In which case why do we need it?

Second issue, I thought Apple were against in-app purchases and surely this is a direct competitor to iTunes' app store? That being the case surely Apple will fail to approve it?
crossy
Call me cynical, but don't iOS and Android (well most of the latter) already have decent app stores? In which case why do we need it?

Second issue, I thought Apple were against in-app purchases and surely this is a direct competitor to iTunes' app store? That being the case surely Apple will fail to approve it?

Its for people who are away from their PCs and Macs who want to use Steam on their mobile.
AFAICT you can't buy iOS or Android games from the Steam app - you buy Steam games which you can then download onto your PC / Mac. It's just an easier way to persuade people to spend money than them having to use their phone's webbrowser or wait 'til they get back to their main computer…