Steam announces major changes to how you download free games

Steam has rolled out a brand-new update that changes how demos “appear and behave” in the Valve storefront library.

Up until now, adding demos to the Steam library has only been possible after entering the code and downloading them.

Once Human is free to download on Steam right now!

However, this new update means that game demos can be added to the library the same way as any other game without the need to install them first.

All you have to do is click “add to library” and they will be waiting until you are ready to download them.

A post on the official Valve website read that with "thousands of playable demos launching on Steam every year, and millions of players trying them out, we've noticed some trends in feedback from both developers and players about the process and functionality.

We've put together an update based on that feedback".

Not only that but demos will also “behave more like free games” by appearing in the same lists such as ‘New & Trending’.

Best yet, however, is that Steam will now email you if a demo becomes available for a game that is on your wishlist.

"Demos can be installed even if you already own the full game," Valve continues.

"Primarily, this will make it easier for developers to test demos, but it will also help players more easily manage installing/uninstalling demos."

Demos can be removed from your Steam account by uninstalling and this means it will be completely wiped from your account.

Last but not least, the Valve storefront has updated how demos can be reviewed.

"By default, free demos appear as a button on the full game's store page.

But, developers have been asking for a way to enable a full store page to better describe the contents of the demo, add separate screenshots, upload a trailer, and specify supported features," Valve explains.

"If developers have chosen to enable a store page for their demo, it will also be possible for players of the demo to post user reviews for the demo.

These reviews and review score will appear on the demo store page just like reviews for any other free game on Steam."