Steam digital distribution platform

Steam is a premier digital distribution platform for video games and software, launched by Valve Corporation in September 2003. Originally conceived as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for its own games, like Counter-Strike, it eventually expanded to include third-party titles, becoming the dominant platform for PC gaming worldwide.

Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the platform operates primarily through digital infrastructure based in the United States, though it utilizes a vast global network of content delivery servers to serve its international user base. Unlike many large tech brands that have gone public, Steam remains under the private ownership of its original creator, Valve Corporation.

Over the decades, Steam has evolved from a simple storefront into a comprehensive social ecosystem, featuring community hubs, automated matchmaking, cloud saving, and the Steam Workshop. It remains a central pillar of the global gaming industry, supporting thousands of developers ranging from independent 'indie' creators to major AAA publishers.