In an effort to enhance the Steam Store experience for players, Valve has announced a set of new rules for developers regarding store listings. These changes, set to go into effect in early September, will significantly impact the way developers present their games on the platform.
One of the most notable changes is the removal of the ability for developers to include any links within the description of their games. This includes the ‘About The Game,’ ‘Short Description,’ ‘Special Announcement,’ and ‘Awards’ sections. Valve believes that these links often fail to provide valuable information that would aid players in making informed purchasing decisions.
Furthermore, the aforementioned sections will no longer allow embedded imagery that mimics Steam store UI elements or buttons. Additionally, any images, links, or widgets pointing to other games on Steam will also be prohibited.
These changes suggest that Valve is taking a stance against developers using Steam Store listings as a platform for advertising other products, whether they are on Steam or not. The focus, it seems, is on presenting players with relevant information about the game itself.
However, these restrictions raise a valid question: how will players access additional information about specific game details? While removing promotional links might help streamline the store experience, it could potentially hinder players’ ability to find comprehensive information about the game they are interested in. It remains to be seen how developers will adapt to these new rules and how players will navigate the potentially altered information landscape on the Steam Store.
