Today, Steam has launched a beta feature that creators hope will “shape the way that millions of customers shop for games on Steam.”
If you make regular use of the Internet, you’re likely familiar with the concept of tags. They’re short descriptors – typically a single word or a short phrase – that clarify the content they’re attached to and enhance searching capability. Valve has now brought this functionality to the Steam beta, and is placing the control in the hands of users like you and me.
Right now, beta users can visit the store page of a game on Steam and feel free to tag it with whatever they feel is appropriate to the title. Maybe you want to tag Loadout with “shooter,” or apply a “strategy” tag to Civilization V. The idea is that the tags will not only give additional insight to the content at hand, but clicking on them can also provide quick access to other titles sharing the same tag. Users can also browse by tag for narrowing down search results quickly.
It’s not all “Action” or “RPG,” either. Users can tag a game with virtually anything. A visit to the Octodad: Dadliest Catch store page shows the second-most popular tag to be “Normal Dad Simulator.” The store page for Gunpoint shows the top tags as “Indie,” “Action,” “Stealth,” “Strategy,” and “Puzzle.” It’s already become an effective way to get the gist of a title you may not be familiar with.
It’s also quickly become a platform for opinion, and users are clearly having some fun with it. As of the time of this writing, Aliens: Colonial Marines is tagged with “Famously Terrible,” while Gone Home is tagged with “Bad,” “Not a game,” and “Walking Simulator.”
There are very few restrictions. No swear words are allowed, but that’s just about it. Still, it’s useless to post tags that have no relevance to the game, as any tags added won’t appear with the game until enough other users have added the same tag.
With the Steam library already humongous and growing at an alarming rate, tagging could prove to be an extremely useful feature when discovering new games. For more details, visit the announcement page on Steam.
Last Updated: February 13, 2014
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 13, 2014 at 13:36
They are placing tagging in the hands of the community? This can only end in tears
VampyreSquirrel
February 13, 2014 at 13:41
Should be pretty funny too… especially with games like A:CM.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 13, 2014 at 13:44
Bile Infested Poo (BIP)
VampyreSquirrel
February 13, 2014 at 14:41
Pretty much yeah
General JJ the ashamed
February 13, 2014 at 13:50
EA games, prepare yourself for some nasty tags. People are going to go ape on this.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 13, 2014 at 13:53
Haha EA-PE
General JJ the ashamed
February 13, 2014 at 13:55
EA – Don’t buy
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 13, 2014 at 13:56
Hmmm
EA-PE
EA – Don’t buy
EA – DB
DB lives in PE
What does this mean?
VampyreSquirrel
February 13, 2014 at 14:48
It means Darryn runs on DLC’s bought through microtransactions?
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 13, 2014 at 14:53
He does like to wear various outfits, so you may be on to something.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 13, 2014 at 13:57
Purchase microtransaction to see this tag
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
February 13, 2014 at 15:11
I agree…. TEARS OF LAUGHTER! o/ heuheuheu
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 13, 2014 at 13:38
This seems pretty meaningless to me.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 13, 2014 at 13:50
I can see the usefullness.
Then you can search the store for “Good RPG” and all the RPG’s that people have tagged as good will appear.
Narrows down the search and allows more refined searching
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 13, 2014 at 14:07
I dunno. I don’t put much stock in users tagging things accurately heh.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
February 13, 2014 at 14:31
well the idea of tagging is good. Putting it in the hands of users (especially those Dota2 community members) is really stupid
Admiral Chief in Vegas
February 13, 2014 at 14:01
Tags like K.A.K. and DOODOO will help a lot
VampyreSquirrel
February 13, 2014 at 14:42
“Moenie heirdie kak speel nie” will help us in SA… start tagging!
Umar Reborn
February 13, 2014 at 15:10
.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZcmTl_1ER8