How game share on steam

As a game developer…

But what about the business side of things? How can you ensure that your games are reaching as many people as possible? One answer is game sharing on Steam.

What is Game Sharing?

Game sharing is a feature on Steam that allows players to share their game saves with friends or other players. This means that instead of having to start over from scratch if they want to play the same game again, they can simply load up someone else’s save and continue where they left off.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Helps keep players engaged: By allowing players to continue playing from someone else’s save, you can keep them coming back to your game even after they have finished the main storyline or completed their current objectives.

Makes it easier for players to discover new games: If a player is looking for a new challenge, they may be more likely to try out a new game if someone they trust has recommended it and shared their save file with them.

Increases social interaction: Game sharing can help foster a sense of community around your game by allowing players to share progress and compete with each other.

Cons

Can lead to cheating: While not all players are dishonest, some may be tempted to use saved files to cheat or gain an unfair advantage over others. This can damage the reputation of your game and turn off potential players.

May reduce replayability: If too many players share their saves with each other, it could lead to a decrease in overall playtime for your game, as players may feel like they have already “done” everything in the game and there is no reason to go back.

Could lead to copyright issues: If you are using copyrighted materials in your game (such as music or artwork), allowing others to share their saves could put you at risk of legal action if those materials are used without permission.

Real-Life Examples of Successful Game Sharing on Steam

Despite the potential downsides, many games have successfully implemented game sharing features on Steam. Here are a few examples:

• The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
• Terraria



• Among Us

Tips for Optimizing Game Sharing on Steam

Now that you understand the pros and cons of game sharing and have seen some real-life examples of how it can be done successfully, let’s look at some tips for optimizing your game shares on Steam:

1. Create engaging content that encourages players to share their progress with others.
2. Make sure your game is easy to navigate and understand so that new players can easily jump in and start playing from someone else’s save file.
3. Encourage players to create their own content, such as videos or screenshots, showcasing their progress and sharing it on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
4. Monitor your game’s activity on Steam and adjust your game sharing features accordingly based on player feedback and engagement levels.