Confused on Steam Play and Proton? Be sure to check out our guide.
We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

A move that isn't entirely surprising due to how limited it was, Valve is moving back to focus on gaming more than anything else with non-gaming videos being retired.

From the news post:

For the past few years, we have worked on expanding Steam beyond games and software by building a video platform that supports paid and free video content. In reviewing what Steam users actually watch, it became clear we should focus our effort on offering content that is either directly related to gaming or, is accessory content for games or software sold on Steam.

As part of this refocus, we have retired the Video section of the Steam Store menu with an expectation that video content is discovered via the associated game or software store page, or through search, user tags, recommendations, etc.

Over the coming weeks a number of non-gaming videos will be retired and will no longer be available for purchase. Previously purchased content will remain available to owners.

Why is it not surprising? Well, it makes sense for multiple reasons. Did you ever buy and watch any movies (or other non-gaming videos) on Steam? I didn't, it's far easier to use a different service like Netflix, Google Play or practically any other where you could watch your content across pretty much any device and browser.

On top of that, Valve's bread and butter is gaming and since they now have more competition actually focusing on that is obvious at this point.

The dedicated Videos link on Steam has already been removed.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Steam, Valve
27 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
43 comments
Page: 1/5»
  Go to:

Nezchan Feb 20, 2019
Only video I watched on Steam was Kung Fury, and that was free.
Beamboom Feb 20, 2019
Quoting: Guestso now a gaming store should start removing games?

Quoting: GuestVery nice, less crap to clutter the store. Maybe visual novels can be next? :P

"games".
Pinguino Feb 20, 2019
Finally! I want my videogame app to play videogames (though I wouldn't mind a music app to play music in the background of some games). Back in the year 5 B.S. (before Steam for Linux), I started resenting my Xbox 360 because Microsoft suddenly decided their console should become an "entertainment center". I am glad Valve decided to turn back on that very same idea before it was too late.
Mal Feb 20, 2019
  • Supporter
The generalist video effort had a meaning in the context of a SteamOs based living room ecosystem. But as living room remained solid domain of console lords, it makes sense to scrap it entirely.

Not to mention that according to analysts the competition in the video streaming market is going to be super ugly later this year, with no restraint of anti consumer practices. Unless you are already a big player there its better to opt out entirely since it's pretty obvious that in the end it will be the pirate bay to emerge victorious there (which actually sucks since Netflix has been so convenient until now).
dpanter Feb 20, 2019
Quoting: NezchanOnly video I watched on Steam was Kung Fury, and that was free.
It's also brilliant beyond description! (and Swedish <3)

Good move Valve, now where is that third game...
slaapliedje Feb 20, 2019
They don't need to sell video content to get the living room feeling, just have some netflix/amazon prime/etc 'apps' in SteamOS/Big picture mode.

I bought Conman through Steam, otherwise yeah never bothered with their other videos.
scaine Feb 20, 2019
View PC info
  • Contributing Editor
  • Mega Supporter
Quoting: slaapliedjeThey don't need to sell video content to get the living room feeling, just have some netflix/amazon prime/etc 'apps' in SteamOS/Big picture mode.

I bought Conman through Steam, otherwise yeah never bothered with their other videos.

I suspect this is a (or another) reason that Steam devices didn't really take off. Playstation and Xbox both allow Netflix, Spotify and others on their consoles. Why would you buy a SteamPC that doesn't support any of that. Pretty ridiculous.
dubigrasu Feb 20, 2019
Good thing I guess.
I feared at one point that Valve deliberately ignored having Netflix/Amazon/etc apps available on their SteamOS/Steam Machines because they tried to push their own movie store.
But now that's out the way...
Liam Dawe Feb 20, 2019
Quoting: scaine
Quoting: slaapliedjeThey don't need to sell video content to get the living room feeling, just have some netflix/amazon prime/etc 'apps' in SteamOS/Big picture mode.

I bought Conman through Steam, otherwise yeah never bothered with their other videos.

I suspect this is a (or another) reason that Steam devices didn't really take off. Playstation and Xbox both allow Netflix, Spotify and others on their consoles. Why would you buy a SteamPC that doesn't support any of that. Pretty ridiculous.
That was one of my long-standing complaints about the whole thing, everyone I know with a console also use it for streaming video services.
sub Feb 20, 2019
"Valve is getting back to focusing on gaming, with Linux support being retired"

The day will come.

Mark my words. They'll try some more attempts to push Linux that will fail like the attempts before.
Not least because big part of the game-related media is inherently anti Linux.
And you need those guys!

At some point Valve will give up.

Yes, I hope I'm totally wrong.


Last edited by sub on 20 February 2019 at 6:42 pm UTC
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.