The beta version of Steam Broadcasting has become quite popular in the competitive market of game streaming. And it needs to be if it’s to take on the likes of Twitch. So what’s Steam Broadcasting all about and what can it do for you?

Steam Broadcasting integrates with its game portal to allow you to broadcast live while playing your favourite games. If you’re a gamer, or even remotely interested in games, this is a big thing. And not only for you: last year, Amazon bought Twitch for $1bn. Twitch makes a big deal of turning you into a would-be Spielberg by setting you up as a producer and putting you at the centre of the action. Monetisation and promotion is key to Twitch – however, that isn’t all that game streaming is about.

While Twitch is a very conscious process, Steam Broadcasting does things the other way round. As it’s integrated into the portal, you merely have to opt in or out, tell Steam who you will allow to watch you play and that’s pretty much it. Every time you play a Steam game and have the option enabled, you’re streaming. No fuss, no self-promotion, you’re just out there. For the original intent of game streaming – which is to allow others to watch their favourite games being played– it’s perfect.

As a player, you can switch off the broadcast overlay and ignore it completely. You’re broadcasting your games live online but can forget all about it. To me, this seems a much better way of broadcasting. You’re playing your game the way you usually do and your viewers get to see a genuine game without showing off, showboating or any fancy trickery to make a good user experience.

So far, Steam Broadcasting seems to be doing well. It’s still in beta but a full release is scheduled for later on this year.

Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.