17 Steam Tips for PC Gaming Noobs and Power Users

What do you think is the face of PC gaming? It’s the Steam. It is an online platform by a game developer valve. You can buy, create, play, and consider PC games. Steam is the platform where you can host thousands of games along with the downloadable content, DLC, and user-generated specifications known as ‘’mods’’. These are from the superior developers and designers of games. It is a cloud-based gaming library. Steam is the ground cause why valve doesn’t release any game that people would like to play, other than Half-life spin-offs developed to sell VR headsets. You can purchase PC games from here as well- Epic games store, X box, and GOG, etc. However, the footprint and well-known sales of Steam make online retail famous. In this article, we will let you know about the best steam tips to enhance your gaming experience.

The games from Steam are way better than any other because of the enhanced graphics and gameplay. Availability of graphic cards from AMD and Nvidia can totally give a transformation to your PC. 

What is Steam other than a game store? The desktop client enables other features to experience as well that is- organizing the library, streaming play sessions, chatting with your companions, and much more. However, the potential features can be left unexplored by a new user.

Steam Tips for PC Gamers

Here are the listed 17 steam tips for PC gamers- both noobs and power users- 

1. Join the steam beta program

You are able to access the amazing specifications after signing up for a steam account. Especially the beta program is for some adventurous people in the group. In the beta program, you can use the features that are under testing phase such as Steam remote play together. Here are the steps are given that you need to follow-

• Go to the ‘’Steam’’ platform. 
• Go to the ‘’Settings’’ and then ‘’Account’’
• Click on the drop-down menu and then click on the ‘’Steam beta update’’. 
• Tap on ‘’okay’’.
• You are done now. 

2. Secure your account with steam guard – Steam Tips for Security

Security is the crucial element. You need to create a strong password to prevent any unauthorized breaking in. Apart from the strong password, a layer of extra security would work great. In case you enable the steam guard on your account then you need to provide a different code to verify the account when opened on an unrecognized device. Regarding the settings you have enabled, you would receive an email with the code or on your smartphone. You can enable this guard by following these steps-

• Open the Steam platform.
• Visit the settings.
• Click on the option ‘’Account’’.
• Tap on the ‘’manage steam guard account security’’.
• You are done.

3. Use collections to manage your library

The list of the names of your games is shown in alphabetical order vertically by default. This is the best organizational structure in the case where you don’t own many games. In case you own more than 100 games then you definitely need another organizational structure. Here valve offers the elements that can help you with organizing. You can navigate your games by right-clicking your game and-

• Click on the option ‘’Add new’’ and then ‘’New collection’’.
• You can rename the collections according to the types of games you put in them.

Two types of collections are- static and dynamic. In the static one, you can manually move the game to its category. In the dynamic one, you have the option to apply filters that assist in sorting according to their tags as the library expands. For reviewing in a small window you can tap on the icon of your collection it will show all the categories in a small grid. 

4. Create a shelf

The alternate way to view the library of your games is by Shelf. You can convert any collection into a horizontal scrolling shelf by clicking on the option ‘’Add shelf’’ and then ‘’Choose shelf’’.  There are other default options, some non-collection options along with other games and recent activities of friends. 

5. Add a non-steam game to your library 

Some games are not available in the steam store such as That star wars- Battlefront II is added to your wishlist. However, Battlefront II is available only for purchase from Electronic Arts’ Origin shop for pc. In that case, you would need to buy it from the company.

People don’t like the concept of having two different and separate clients through which the games are launched. Don’t you worry valve has a solution for you! By tapping on ‘’Add a game in the bottom left corner of the interface’’ and then select ‘’Add a non-steam game’’, you can make games such as Battlefront II, other PC games will show up as a part of your library in Steam. Follow the steps for enabling this-

• Add game A in the bottom-left corner on the page.
• Tap on ‘’Add a non-steam game’’. 
• Select a title and tap on the selected programs.

6. Hide steam games – Secret Steam Tips

What if you need to hide a game? The reason could be anything, maybe you don’t want it to showcase to your friends or anything. The steps to hide a game is super simple, 

• Right-click on the title.
• Select the ‘’Manage’’ option and then ‘’Hide this game’’. 

You can now only view that game in the library after searching it. In case you want to unhide the game- 

• Tap on the ‘’Manage’’ option and then click on ‘’Remove from hidden’’.

7. See the bigger picture – Steam Tips for Better Gaming Experience

The concept of ‘’Big picture mode’’ has been created for large-screen monitors and televisions. The wish of valve for entertainment center proceeds with this mode. The steps to activate this mode are as follows- 

• Tap on the option ‘’View’’.
• Click on the ‘’Big picture mode’’.

This mode is helpful as it assists in navigating your library, steam store, community messages, and chats using a gamepad, mouse, and steam controller.

8. Continue playing anywhere with steam cloud

You have the feature to save your game to the steam cloud and recommence it whenever you want and even on another PC as well. You don’t have to miss anything. Follow the steps in order to save your game-

• Go to steam.
• Open the ‘’Settings’’.
• Go to the ‘’cloud’’ option.
• Click on ‘’Enable steam could synchronization’’.

Now you are done. Your games would be stored on the server and you will be able to continue it afterward from where you left it. However, you don’t have this feature for every game available on Steam. It’s only for few games.

9. Share your library of games – Steam Tips for Sharing

You can share your games with 10 other people who are using the same PC as you are. In order to enable to share your library, follow these steps-

• Go to ‘’Steam’’.
• Visit the ‘’Settings’’ and go to the option ‘’Family’’.
• Tap on the ‘Authorizes library sharing on this computer box’’.

After approving the request for authorizing, another person can install and run the titles available in your library. Note that games with third-party security would not open by the other person. 

10. Monitor frame rates

Counting frame rate is a crucial part of gaming. However, not everybody understands the sacrifices one makes while the game runs at 60 frames per rate. Sometimes you expect a little more from your own self, like- in case you want your new GPU installed on a PC. For this, follow these steps-

• Visit steam.
• Go to the ‘’Settings’’.
• Click on the option- ‘’In-game’’.
• After that enable the FPS counter. 
• You will now be able to see the on-screen frame rate counter.

For precise identification, you can turn on the high contrast color option along with its location.

11. Refund a lemon

You know there is some risk when you buy a video game. It might have a bad frame rate. However, the program of the valve allows you to relive those risks. 

• Click on the option ‘’Help’’ option.
• Go to the ‘’Steam support’’.

It will show the list of recent purchases. Tap on the game and the option ‘’corresponding issues’’. You will be directed to the refund page. Make sure the request for a refund must be within 2 weeks along with that your gameplay must be of less than 2 hours. 

12. Trade cards for cash

Trading cards have been introduced a few years back. These are the cards that can be earned by just playing games. These cards will help you earn badges that will be shown on your profile and it’s an honor for a gamer. These cards also offer other exciting things such as profile background, coupons, and chat emoticons. 

You can also sell these cards in the market of the steam community. 

• Tap on the ‘’Username’’ and then ‘’Inventory’’.

Select any card and tap on the option of ‘’Sell’’, enter the price you want to sell at, and click on the option ‘’Ok’’. After doing these steps, put it up for sale. If you have rare cards then you will be able to earn more money in comparison with the basic cards.

13. Give the gift of gaming

Games are amazing and the valve is here to make it convenient for you to buy it for others as well. The step is similar to when you need it for yourself except, choose ‘’Purchase as a gift’’ rather than ‘’Purchase for myself’’. After selecting the options tap on the person you want to buy it for. You are done. 

You have the option to schedule a day, maybe an occasion for delivery or you can simply choose the option for immediate delivery. 

14. Download and play on the go – Steam Tips for Remote Play

Steam features remote specifications delivering PC games whenever you want and from anywhere you want. The concept of the ‘’Remote play together’’ multiplayer option can be selected even if only one gamer has downloaded the game. Steps to enjoy this are as follows-

• Launch the games that are compatible.
• Invite your friends.
• Tap on the ‘’Friends list’’ and then click on the ‘’Remote play together’’ option.

Wondering if you could play on your mobile device? Yes, you can. All you need is to install the Steam app. Set up the connection of your mobile phone and your PC to a strong network. You can now use the library of Steam on both Android or IOS devices while pairing it with the controller.

Apart from playing the games on your mobile, you can even purchase the games.  In addition, to avoid lengthy installs, Steam offers a portal with steam’s community features as well.

Do Not Miss: Best Steam Games 2021

15. Watch steam broadcasts

Steam not only offers streaming services like Twitch or Facebook gaming but also broadcasts the gameplay of your companions as well. 

• Go to the ‘’Friends list’’ option.
• Tap on any of your friends from the list.
• Tap on the option ‘’Watch game’’. Now you are able to see their gameplay as well.

16. Take a screenshot

You can share the image of the game you are currently playing by pressing F12  for screenshotting. You can further view your screenshots under the option ‘’View screenshot library’’ on the game’s main page. Hotkey for taking screenshots can be changed-

• Go to the ‘’Settings’’.
• Click on the ‘’In-game’’ option.

This could be a useful specification for some gamers indeed. 

17. Follow curators

As you have a wide range of games available on Steam. You need guidance or suggestion in order to choose any game you would play. It’s sometimes frustrating to choose when you don’t know the insight of the game. To resolve this issue you can follow a Steam curator you can have the hand-picked list of the suggested games from the publications and people you would trust which also includes your own companions at PCMag.

Conclusion

Your experience would be enhanced being a gamer as the unique set of services that are offered by Steam are beyond the standards and are available for game launchers for PC, increasing the engagement with customers and most importantly satisfaction. 

We have listed all the tips which could be helpful for both the noob players and the power users. There are some features that you would be exploring after reading this article. Hope you would like the tips mentioned above.