Steam is known for having an incredible selection of various games and DLCs, but one feature has frustrated players until now. The launcher is now changing how you add free content to your library.
What is this feature? Steam has added a new button to free games and DLCs. This button allows you to add a free game or DLC directly to your library.
Until the introduction of the new button, you added a free game to your library by clicking “Start Game.” Steam would then immediately try to install the game in question.
Even more frustrating was acquiring free DLCs, as every newly added DLC would want to start the game.
Redeeming multiple DLCs was annoying
Why has this been a problem? Even though you could abort the installation of a game or DLC initiated by the “Start Game” button, Steam’s process was considered annoying by players.
For example, reddit user u/SSlamMasterJ writes that this process from Steam was particularly frustrating when trying to redeem multiple DLCs (via reddit).
Also, u/TalenTaylor writes on reddit: “This would have been helpful a few weeks ago when I wanted to redeem some free DLCs from the ‘Monster Hunter’ store page. Redeeming them will start the game itself if it has already been downloaded.”
Overall, the old method did not receive positive feedback. u/homer_3 found the system to be “very annoying” (via reddit) and u/Hellknightx is surprised that it “took so long for them [Steam] to address it” (via reddit).
Players divided: Great change or no big deal?
How are players reacting? Given the dissatisfaction with the old system, players are glad that the new button has been added.
- Strict-Tomorrow via reddit: “This is great when a game has free DLCs to claim. Before this button, every DLC forced the game to start.” (1,500 upvotes)
- Wanderson90 via reddit: “They finally understand their customer base.”
- Starmosen via reddit: “This will be great for Warhammer 3, with all the DLCs they hopefully will add. It was a nightmare downloading that stuff before.”
- Dixenberry via Twitter: “This is great!”
- homer_3 via reddit: “Great change in my opinion.”
- n0stalghia via reddit: “Holy moly, people, the technology from 2010 is finally here.”
- grün_meklar via reddit: “This has been needed for so long.”
- maxell01x via reddit: “This is a very good feature for the mobile browser / Steam mobile app, as it was previously not possible to redeem a free game / DLC directly.”
While many see the change as a “Quality of Life” adjustment, there are also players who cannot understand the issue with the old system.
Reddit user u/TheWorldisFullofWar asks, for example: “Isn’t the start of the ‘installation process’ just a confirmation window that you can exit immediately?” (via reddit).
Also, u/ShadooTH also states on reddit that they cannot understand the problem: “I don’t think I’ve ever had this problem. I didn’t know it was such a big deal.”
What do you think of the new button? Do you believe the adjustment is sensible, or do you think the old system was not a problem? Feel free to write it in the comments here on MeinMMO!
If you want to test the new button right away, we have a list on MeinMMO with 8 free MMORPGs that run on weak PCs.
