Valve introduces Steam Families, combining the existing Steam Family Sharing and Steam Family View features with innovative family-centric features.
The new Steam Family feature allows users of the platform to create a household of up to 6 members, designating them as either adults or children, making it easier to share games and control content. Within the family, all members gain access to a shared library, similar to Steam's traditional family sharing feature but much better this time around.
Share Your Library, But Keep What You've Got
In this shared library, any family member can play games as long as they aren't already being used by another member. That means that both users can be online at the same time while playing games from the shared library, which is a huge improvement from how Family Sharing used to work.
However, if you want to play the same game together, multiple members must own individual copies of the game. Shared play ensures that each member retains personal save data, earns Steam achievements under their own account, and independently accesses workshop files. Stock up your library now, it is Steam sale time! Your family will love you for it.
Hello! We are excited to announce the launch of Steam Families, now accessible in the Steam Beta Client. This feature introduces significant updates and improvements to family sharing, parental controls, and child purchase requests. See all the details at the announcement blog... pic.twitter.com/qL8iUtJKOr
— Steam (@Steam) March 18, 2024
It's worth noting that if someone in the family is banned while using a shared game, the repercussions extend to the account holder, underscoring the importance of being discerning about sharing partners.
In addition, Steam Families include parental controls that allow adult family members to oversee game access, Steam Community privileges, and monitor screen time for child accounts. Children will be able to request additional play time or access to restricted content, as well as request game purchases from adult accounts by submitting a direct cart.
This feature is currently in beta, and access is contingent upon all prospective family members opting in to the beta program.