Steam released a statement about updates to its free demos, which are now available on the Steam demo hub. According to Steam, feedback from developers and players informed the changes to the behavior and appearance of demos.
The statement revealed that demos could be added to the library without installation, especially for mobile app users who are limited by storage space. Moreover, it disclosed that the demos could still be installed even when full versions of the games were already installed to simplify demo testing for developers. Steam also added that demos would henceforth be reviewed separately from their respective full-game versions.
Demos ‘behave and appear better’ with a separate store page
GAME DEVS! 📢
Steam has made updates to how demos work!
– Demos can now have a separate store page
– User reviews for demos
– Demos now appear more in the Steam store
– Wishlisters notified when you launch your demoI've left the full changelog below 👇 pic.twitter.com/luToD74G1k
— Indie Game Joe (@IndieGameJoe) July 25, 2024
Steam unveiled that demos had separate store pages instead of the default demo buttons appearing on the store pages of full games. It affirmed that developers would now better describe demo contents, specify supported features, upload trailers, and add images (screenshots). However, Steam clarified that clicking on a demo would take players to either the full game page with a demo installation button available or to the demo page.
Notably, Steam explained that demos would be tightly connected to the respective full games. According to the platform, stand-alone demo store pages automatically display the demo install button and a widget linking to the full game versions for players interested in purchasing or ‘Wishilisting’ games.
Importantly, Steam declared that demos now appeared in the same lists and sections as the full games. For instance, demos would appear on Steam’s homepage under category charts such as the “New & Trending” on the “New on Steam” page.
New update enables reviews and wishlist notifications for available Steam demos
According to Steam, players will now receive notifications from developers they follow or wishlist demos whenever the demos or their updates become available. Steam revealed that the notifications will be sent as emails or mobile app notifications. The platform also mentioned that players will be able to opt out of email notifications by updating their email preferences.
Steam further explained that demos with a store page would have provisions for user reviews. It disclosed that the reviews and review scores would be displayed on the demo game’s store page, similar to how they appeared on full game store pages.
“Steam lets you leave reviews for Demos now… Weird but I’ll try it out- leave The Drifter Demo a review if you’ve played it .”
However, some fans, like Hypo Jeanuary, were not thrilled about the demos update. According to Jeanuary, the demos update was good for ‘ordinary people’ but awful for achievement hunters. Jeanuary disclosed that some players had lost more than 40 trusted completions. The gamer and creator of Emiru Radio expressed their frustration, saying that Steam was messing up players’ passionate hobbies.
