Valve pipes out Steamworks

Developer's suite of publishing tools that provide back-end support now available for free to publishers and developers worldwide.

Last year was a busy one for Valve. In addition to shipping the Orange Box, a game which received one of the highest aggregate review scores of the year, the developer made significant gains with its online digital distribution portal Steam. Several publishers, including Rockstar, Capcom, id Software, among others, signed on to distribute their wares through the service, and Valve launched a new community hub to accommodate its more than 13 million global users.

Looking to keep its pipes hot through the new year, Valve has announced that Steamworks, its proprietary suite of publishing tools, is now available to developers and publishers worldwide free of charge. The tools include a number of back-end support services for developers, including encryption systems, auto-update functionality, voice chat integration, social-networking services, and development tools, among other features. The tools can be used for PC games distributed through retail and online platforms.

"Developers and publishers are spending more and more time and money cobbling together all the tools and backend systems needed to build and launch a successful title in today's market," said Valve president and founder Gabe Newell. "Steamworks puts all those tools and systems together in one free package, liberating publishers and developers to concentrate on the game instead of the plumbing."

More information on the free publishing tools suite is available through Valve's Steamworks Web site.

51 Comments

  • Acurev

    Posted Feb 27, 2008 3:37 pm PT

    This seems like a very good idea...unlike the whole "lets add movies/music/and 100,000 lame flash games to our catalog...

  • UbeR_NooB_24

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 10:35 am PT

    thats awesome!

  • BringTheBlood

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 6:51 am PT

    Value your basically the best thing to ever happen to games. this is probably one of the smastest things done. and obviously people agree, i mean look, rockstar, capcom and id are all on board, id obviously since john carmark is all about giving out software and letting people re work stuff to there liking, hes been doing that since his first major game. and its nice to see that other companies are joining up and do this. i love it.

  • Zuul13

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 5:24 am PT

    Valve pwns

  • SKaREO

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 3:53 am PT

    I have a very deep respect for Valve.

  • Icehearted

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 3:13 am PT

    Only thing I've ever gotten ever gotten from Steam were download problems, activation problems, and a laundry list of unfinished "Episodic Content". I don't understand why this service are so popular, but I suppose it really is a matter of YMMV.

    Hate me all you want for not seeing the glimmer in their gold, but at least I'm willing to be honest about my experience with them, unusual or not though it may be.

  • Azwhtknight

    Posted Jan 31, 2008 1:01 am PT

    I think that this is a very good gesture from Valve and one that will not only benefit the industry and gamers, but will also be a big PR boost for an already stellar company. Makes me think of life before the monopolies began. It is nice to see someone contributing to the over-all good rather than just horde things or try to make a buck at every opportunity. Kudos once again Valve.

  • Petri87

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 9:27 pm PT

    @ctg867 - I think your missunderstanding something. Windows Live is not a online distribution system. Its a unifide system for online play and videogame standards.
    Even though some games have the Games for Windows - Live logo on the box can probebly still release it through steam

  • ctg867

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 6:07 pm PT

    Well yay for Valve. Lucky for them Microsoft is completely blowing Windows Live, otherwise these guys would be completely devoid of an online distributer.

  • DukeIgthorn

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 4:44 pm PT

    I hope this will fix server problems that they have been having with non-valve games being downloaded.

  • karnovrpg

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    Suck it, Microsoft. Let the indie scene roll.

  • Lepuke

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    Its amazing how well Steam has done since its launch in 2004.
    I used to hate it until I lost a few of my game discs... Being able to download any game that is on your account at will, for free is awesome.

  • mrhankeydinks

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 3:02 pm PT

    people that dislike steam obviously haven't visited it since the nightmare that was the HL2 launch. It has it's flaws...but honestly this is great news for independent develops and publishers alike.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:52 pm PT

    tbolt_88:

    Ummm what?

    When did that happen... That's what people get for not buying a factory sealed product. I've never heard of anyones cd key not working...

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:50 pm PT

    Valve picking up some Steam.

  • tbolt_88

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:43 pm PT

    This is cool...even though i dont like Steam due to how easy it is to be screwed over by it. The people who spent Half-Life 2 and trying to play it and being unable to due to someone already stealing the cd key leaving them screwed out of $50 with Valve doing nothing about it.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:40 pm PT

    Orange Box 2? What the hell, why would anyone think that? Even if they had enough material for another compilation like that, they wouldnt calle it "Orange Box 2".

  • packr4

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:36 pm PT

    I know a lot of people that said steam sucks because when it first came out it was buggy and hard just getting the thing to come up, that was back when counterstrike got moved to steam. But it runs pretty smooth now.

  • Rob_101

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:35 pm PT

    Valve is the best game developer out there. They really care about the games and the gamers.

  • RHCPfan24

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:34 pm PT

    Steam?! WHAT, Orange Box 2? Oh, a publishing service, well that is fine I guess...

  • packr4

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:32 pm PT

    I love steam, the reason I like it so much is that you can have all your steam games on a single program. I would like to see every game on steam.

  • xmg0

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:15 pm PT

    cool

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 2:08 pm PT

    Call me old fashioned, but I don't like Steam. It feels very unfriendly.

  • Mercanis

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    Valve gives out free software so developers will come to them to get their games on Steam. Sounds like a nice deal.

    Steam > Games for Windows Live (worst name for a service ever)

  • mark_c_128

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:53 pm PT

    suprised they made it free

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:50 pm PT

    steam is the reason digital purchases exist. they have the monopoly and sites like gametap are trying to pick up the leftovers. I still find it funny how I thought as valve taking a big step back in the day. They are a juggernaut now.

  • ronniepage588 posted Jan 30, 2008 1:47 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    ronniepage588

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:47 pm PT (hide)

    valve is a bit overrated if you ask me.

  • JBalooshie

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:45 pm PT

    All the people saying steam sucks have probably never used it. It keeps everything up to date, and you don't need a CD. Not only that, but they are dedicated to their community, releasing stuff like this. Keep up the good work Valve!

  • juddstudd

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:43 pm PT

    steam is kickin some butt out there.

  • ReckHavoc

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:35 pm PT

    "Steam is trash. Yea it may keep you up to date but lets say one day you lose your internet. You won't be able to play ANY games."

    Totally false.. Steam is only needed to activate the game, re-download the game (which can be backed up onto a DVD), update the game, and obviously to play the game online. And if it was "trash".. 13 million people wouldn't be using it.

  • Dawg9000 posted Jan 30, 2008 1:28 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    Dawg9000

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:28 pm PT (hide)

    Steam is trash. Yea it may keep you up to date but lets say one day you lose your internet. You won't be able to play ANY games.

  • ReckHavoc

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:27 pm PT

    Steam is easily one of the best digital distribution services out there.. and the only people who don't think so are usually on 56k. I mean theres no hassle in finding an update.. does all the updating for yeah, or locating your cd-key and or install disc.

  • ganon92

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:23 pm PT

    Steam is a great service and Valve is one of best (if not the best) developers in the world.

  • wdave92

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:23 pm PT

    nice Valve is friggen awsome Even though i Agree with alot of people Steam is S***

  • PiNwOrM

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:13 pm PT

    Valve once again shows their dedication and support towards their roots and to the fans who made them what they are. Truly the best company in the industry.

  • athenian29 posted Jan 30, 2008 1:11 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    athenian29

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 1:11 pm PT (hide)

    I don't see how this will help. I always hear people saying Steam is a load of $#!^ (and I've even caught word that calling Steam $#!^ is a compliment. Not a good sign)...

  • OfficialBed

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:53 pm PT

    that's sick

  • Citan76

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:52 pm PT

    Valve is one of the best game developing companies out there. This is a really cool move of them.

  • musicaz70

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:32 pm PT

    Well, that sure was nice of them. Although the new Steam community does cause some bad slowdowns at times in CS:S (Like all the way down to 20FPS going from 70FPS average on my 8600GT)... Steam is the best and most simple design around... Good move!

  • grigjd3

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 12:31 pm PT

    More freeware means better and better games. It would even be better if it were open-source.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:52 am PT

    WoW good karma for them for releasing this for free. Hopefully people can concentrate on the game instead of its background modules now a bit more.

  • CodyTG

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:48 am PT

    Valve/Steam always impresses me. Good work.

  • fgjnfgh

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:45 am PT

    I didn't understand all I got that they are improving communication between gamers?

  • SolidKeevo

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:37 am PT

    Valve > all

  • o_laggy_o

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:32 am PT

    This is sweet.

  • Josepiphus

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:30 am PT

    That is unbelievably cool.

  • diablobasher

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:18 am PT

    Holy crapoleey! This is AMAZING! Technicly, it's a step backward for the industry (Which is a good thing!) back to the days where people could make their own content and distribute it, which because of all the laws and money grubbing publishers you just cannot do.

    This is a fantastic offering from Valve, me and my dev team will be making use of this in the coming years!

  • Bulldog19892

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:14 am PT

    Horaaaaay Valve!

  • VolcanicDemon

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:13 am PT

    Valve rocks. Steam rocks. The Orange Box rocks. What more can I say?

  • jallu2

    Posted Jan 30, 2008 11:01 am PT

    steamy

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Tags

steam   steamworks   valve

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!