What is Steam?

[msc]

Okay, I've been looking in this section and have been wonder for the past *looks at clock* 2 to 5 minutes, and have been wondering..... what the heck is Steam and what does it do? I've looked at the website, but haven't been able to fully understand it. So I'll ask you all, what in the world is this steam


Thanks for you're time, I know this might possibly be a dumb question,

[Grev]

In physical chemistry, and in engineering, steam refers to vaporized water.

In gaming however:

Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute a wide range of games and related media entirely over the internet, stretching from one-man independent efforts to some of the world's most popular games. Steam is set apart from its peers in terms of functionality primarily by its residency in the system tray, and the desktop tasks that the client software performs to make use of that position.

I've used steam, and although I didn't like it, you need it for most games designed by Valve.

[msc]

In physical chemistry, and in engineering, steam refers to vaporized water.

In gaming however:

Steam is a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute a wide range of games and related media entirely over the internet, stretching from one-man independent efforts to some of the world's most popular games. Steam is set apart from its peers in terms of functionality primarily by its residency in the system tray, and the desktop tasks that the client software performs to make use of that position.

I've used steam, and although I didn't like it, you need it for most games designed by Valve.

Okay well this brings me to part 2 of my dumb question ,

Now also, what does this do in terms of online multiplayer? Does it limit you to it's own servers, or can you join World Wide servers like on most multiplayer games?

[Fingerfood]

Depending on the game, you should be able to get all the servers you could get from any retail version of the game. Steam has it's own servers, but if you mean making your own servers, yes. Millions of people use Steam all over the world, and each can set up their own servers.

EDIT:
If you haven't already, read this thread:

http://www.gametoast.com/forums/viewtop ... 69&t=15325