Steam is the OG of digital storefronts. Millions of PC players around the world dutifully log into the system every day, with millions more gameplay hours logged every month. If a new report from SteamDB developer Pavel Djundik is right, Valve is currently toying with the idea of a loyalty program for those users.
Djundik first shared the information on May 9 via Twitter. Since then, it’s been picked up by a bevy of publications, including Destructoid, where we first saw the info.
Valve is working on loyalty awards/rewards. It has a point system, and a system to add reactions to user reviews.
Also includes reward items, redeeming points for badge levels, and possiblity game discounts.
— Pavel Djundik (@thexpaw) May 9, 2020
Since then, Djundik has shared further data about the alleged loyalty program on Twitter, including several GitHub links, which can be seen here.
According to Djundik, the program would include “a point system, and a system to add reactions to user reviews.” Other perks would include unique items, badge levels, and “possibly game discounts.”
New review reactions are said to potentially include “deep thoughts,” “heartwarming,” “hilarious,” “hot take,” and “poetry.” There is no word on what the points system might entail, though it could somehow tie into a user’s overall Steam level.
Sans the game discounts, most of that sounds like a ramped-up version of what most Steam users already have access to. Right now, Steam users can get badges for participating in various Steam events and sales, and they can react to reviews with a thumbs up (helpful), a thumbs down (not helpful), or smiley face (funny).
The original story can be seen over on Destructoid. There’s been nary a peep from Valve on the matter, so we’ll just have to wait and see if a loyalty program is actually in the cards or not. Be sure to check back with GameSkinny for more as we learn it.
