Steam is testing a new store interface
With our Steam libraries already overflowing, Valve has taken a new step to make purchasing games a little more appealing. Steam is working on a significant update to its store interface to make navigating the store easier. This new design, available to beta users, replaces complex menus and text overflows with a simple, modern top menu. This update, aimed at making game access easier, stands out with its visually more organized structure.
Steam Store Refreshed
The revamped Steam store focuses on user experience. According to Valve’s blog post, this design aims to make it easier for players to access the sections they visit most frequently. Under the “Browse” tab, you can instantly access key categories like new releases, bestsellers, and discounted games. The adjacent “Recommendations” tab presents selected games based on your gaming history and playtime.
Additionally, you can access your favorite genres and discover featured games with similar tags through the “Categories” button. The search bar has also been redesigned. The most popular searches, recently viewed games, and most popular genres are now highlighted here. Advanced filtering options have also been restructured for users who want to explore more specific topics.
Valve emphasizes that it prioritizes player feedback with this change. “It was sometimes difficult to access frequently visited areas, and we want to address this,” confirms this approach. The simplification of the interface makes finding the right game more streamlined for players.
However, during this period of simplifying the store design, discussions about Steam’s content policy are also in the spotlight. Earlier this month, the removal of many games containing adult content from the store was brought on by pressure from payment providers. This decision, influenced particularly by giants like Visa and Mastercard, was perceived by some users as “censorship.” Steam’s simplification of the design while narrowing down the content selection presents a striking dilemma.
The new interface is currently only available to Steam Beta users. However, based on feedback, it’s expected to be available to all users soon. With this new design, Valve aims to both make things easier for players and increase store engagement.
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