The Hidden Gems and Shovelware of Steam: A Closer Look

Rising Game Releases on Steam

With the ever-increasing number of game releases, both developers and players are facing challenges in finding the right games to enjoy. Steam, the largest PC gaming platform, saw a staggering 19k game releases last year, averaging around 52 games per day.

The Issue of Discoverability

While big-budget games easily grab attention, smaller titles struggle to be discovered among the sea of releases. Steam users have voiced concerns about shovelware games - low-quality titles rushed for profit, often made from purchased assets.

The Limited Feature

To address the issue, Valve introduced the limited feature, restricting certain game features for those with low player counts. This move aimed to filter out shovelware and prioritize quality games on the platform.

Debunking the Shovelware Myth

While data shows that nearly 80% of games released on Steam received limited status, not all limited games are shovelware. A closer look at titles from publishers like Ratalaika Games reveals hidden gems among the limited releases.

The Quality vs. Quantity Dilemma

Smaller, high-quality games may receive limited status due to low visibility, while viral simplistic games may remain unlimited. The lack of human curation on the platform raises concerns about game quality and discoverability.

Looking Ahead

With the ongoing influx of game releases, the challenge of finding quality games on Steam persists. Curious about Steam games? Explore the speedrunning Humble Bundle for more gaming adventures.