A service that guides users on what to do next based on their prior usage is fantastic, much like how Netflix suggests content based on users' previous viewing. Now, Steam has added a similar feature to assist gaming enthusiasts with vast game collections in deciding which game to play next.
Steam unveils groundbreaking 'Play Next' feature
For those facing difficulty navigating their vast Steam library and unsure of what to play next, Steam aids them with the new Play Next feature. Players no longer need to sift through their entire game collection to find the perfect title, as Steam will handle that for them.
Using Steam on iOS and Android devices
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This feature is similar to Steam Store's recommendation feature. However, instead of suggesting what to buy next, Play Next advises gamers on what game to play next based on their recent gaming experiences. It selects 3 games from the player's library, and users can refresh the recommendations to get 3 new choices. However, the number of suggestions a user receives depends on the size of their game library. Currently, the suggestions may seem a bit quirky, especially for users with small game libraries. It employs a new algorithm developed by Valve over time, expected to provide better support in the future, but at this point, it can be both stable and unstable.
In a recent blog announcement, the company revealed: 'Our Machine Learning system aids your choices by suggesting games it believes you'll enjoy the most from your game collection. Up to 3 choices will be presented each time. If the first set of 3 suggestions doesn't satisfy you, you can cycle through to see other recommendations. To provide a quick preview of the suggested game types, we include a super brief introduction and tags for each game. If you've played some equivalent games, we'll also display a few of those.'
At times, suggestions may seem a bit outdated, but over time, it learns what users truly like and provides recommendations based on that data. A massive library can make it challenging for players to make choices, but this new feature ensures that every gamer gets suitable suggestions. The Play Next feature is not available in the Steam client on PC; instead, users will need to log in to the Steam website and access the Play Next page to view personalized game recommendations. Those with smaller game libraries can check Steam's current discounted games to expand their game collection for better suggestions.
Steam boasts numerous great games, and you can play demos of these games to decide whether to buy or not. Check out how to download game demos on Steam here.
