What is a Steam key?
Steam is a secure platform for buying games. You do not run the risk of buying a fake game and there are options to resell a game, something you don’t commonly see with digital purchases. As far as game distribution goes, Steam checks all the boxes, and then some.
Steam keys
A Steam key is a tool that developers use to distribute their game. It’s a promotional tool (but developers are free to use it however they like), that can be used to share a copy (release or pre-release) of their game. The key allows users to install the game without purchasing it.
Get Steam keys
If you search online for Steam keys, you will find many, many websites that sell Steam keys. These keys may or may not be authentic and chances are high that they aren’t. It is generally a bad idea to use them. If you’re buying a Steam key for a game, it’s better to buy the game. If the game is expensive, add it to your wish list and when it goes on sale, you’ll get an email. Games tend to go on sale often, and several times a year. Sometimes, they’re discounted by more than 50%.
Install a Steam key
If you’ve been given a Steam key (or you’ve bought one), here’s how you can use it to install a game.
- Open the Steam client on the desktop (make sure you’re signed in).
- Go to Games>Activate a product on Steam.
- Click Next on the window that opens.
- Accept the End user license agreement.
- Enter the Steam key in the given field.
- Click Next.
- Click Finish.
- The game download window will open.
- Click Next to begin the download.
- Once the download is complete, you will be able to play the game.
Generating a Steam key
If you’re a game developer looking to generate a Steam key for your game, you can do so from your game’s page on Steamworks. It’s a good idea to read the documentation for Steam Keys if you plan on requesting them. There are three different types of keys that you can distribute, and they all have their own conditions for use.
Conclusion
Steam keys that are sold online offer games at a lower price. Some of these keys may be authentic but unless they are being distributed directly by a game developer, you do risk paying for something that won’t work. If you’re looking for a discounted game, you can also look into buying a second-hand game on Steam.
