Steam’s upcoming update includes helpful improvements to game reviews. As part of the Steam client beta update Valve released on February 12, users will now be able to attach information about their hardware specifications when posting reviews of new games or updating old ones.
It is not uncommon to find negative reviews complaining about a game’s performance, information that is difficult to draw conclusions from without knowing what type of hardware the reviewer is using. With specifications attached, it becomes a little easier to assess the usefulness of complaints. A game’s sales performance and discoverability on Steam is significantly influenced by its review average, with Steam users sometimes manipulating the data point for reasons unrelated to the game’s quality. Provided reviewers actually engage their specifications — at least in beta, the feature is completely optional — Valve’s rapid review ecosystem could be more nuanced overall.
Along with the new option in reviews, Valve is also experimenting with a way for users to share “anonymous framerate data” with the company. When framerate sharing is enabled, “Steam will collect gameplay framerate data, which will be stored without connection to your Steam account, but will be identified by the type of hardware you are playing on,” Valve says. The feature is specifically focused on devices running SteamOS, Valve’s Linux-based operating system for the Steam Deck, and some third-party handhelds. The additional information may help the company’s efforts to improve game compatibility using software like Proton.
The beta update also includes bug fixes, and improvements to how Valve collects feedback about whether a game should be deck verified. Now when Steam asks you to confirm whether you agree with a game’s rating, if you disagree, you can explain why.
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