Steam has recently unveiled its new Steam Families feature, which is a major overhaul of its family sharing system. This new system eliminates previous limitations on how many individuals can play games from a single library, streamlines the process of buying games for kids, and introduces additional parental controls and sharing options. Under the old system, users had to navigate between Family Sharing and Family View, but now the process is much simpler and more efficient.
To access the new features, users must join the beta program by opting into the Steam Family Beta through their account settings. With this update, accounts can share their library with up to five family members without any mention of device limits. Offline play is also supported, unlike the previous scheme which required online connectivity to access shared games. Additionally, parents will find managing their children’s access to specific games and monitoring playtime much more convenient.
The new system is not without its limitations as it is region-locked, meaning sharing with individuals from different countries may no longer be possible. Additionally, once a member leaves a family, they are unable to join or create another one for a full year. Developers must approve their titles for family sharing, and certain games like free-to-play titles or those requiring third-party keys, accounts, or subscriptions cannot be shared. Overall, the new Steam Families feature aims to enhance user experience and provide a more streamlined and efficient platform for family sharing.
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