LatestSteamSetup-Forlife1.exe

Steam is an internet-based digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer, and communications platform developed by Valve Corporation. It is used to distribute games and related media from small, independent developers and larger software houses online. In October 2012, Valve expanded its service to include non-gaming software. Steam provides the user with installation and automatic management of software on multiple computers, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud saving, and in-game voice and chat functionality. The software provides a freely available application programming interface (API) called Steamworks, which developers can use to integrate many of Steam's functions, including copy protection, networking and matchmaking, in-game achievements, micro-
transactions, and support for user-created content through Steam Workshop, into their products.

Though initially developed for use on Microsoft Windows, versions for OS X and Linux operating systems, and a limited-function version has been provided for the PlayStation 3 console have been developed. Chatting and shopping applications for iOS and Android mobile devices have also been written. Steam is a central hub for gaming software and Valve has created a version of Steam with altered functionality intended for use in schools for educational software, including a modified version of Portal 2 for teaching science and critical thinking lessons. Valve has also built SteamOS, a free, Linux-based operating system built around the Steam client designed for its line of Steam Machine microconsoles and personal computers meeting minimum specifications.

As of January 2014, over 3,000 games are available through Steam, which has 75 million active users. In February 2014, it was announced that Steam had exceeded 7.5 million concurrent users. In October 2013, it was estimated that 75% of games bought online for the PC are downloaded through Steam.