Is every process we do on Steam a game? Haha, of course not, but I find myself playing the game of figuring out if I should buy a game all the time. Let's evaluate Steam Reviews.

Firstly, it's a yes or a no visually represented by a thumbs up or a thumbs down, respectively. This is not necessarily detrimental; however, the information is qualitative. To be convinced that the user experience is indeed good without needing to bother with the purchase, installation, and potential refund process several outcomes are prevalent. The relevance and quality of Steam review content varies greatly between reviewers. To properly evaluate a game for purchase, one must find the appropriate review, which is not guaranteed and time expending. Additionally, the features sought by a Consumer additionally present with great variation. To say the least, the process is complicated.

Positive and Negative Steam Reviews are further divided into subcategories. These Subcategories include — but are not limited to — PC users, Steam Deck users, Purchased users, Gifted users, Early-access reviews, Post-release reviews, and Pre-release reviews. The list continues on and can be located within the user review forum of any purchasable game on Steam at the bottom of its store page by "Browse all x Reviews". This "All Reviews" forum page presents the Consumer with four key features, three of which are drop down menus. The first drop down menu, allowing the user to select between "helpful", recent, and "funny" reviews. The second allows filtering of the Positive and Negative reviews. The final drop-down menu allows selection of the language the review is written in. The final feature is the ability to browse via scrolling and selection of reviews.

Strangely, none of Steam's features include information regarding the Subcategories defined above. This raises several questions, what is a "helpful" review defined by Valve? Does Valve's system decide what is "helpful" based on the "likes" and "dislikes" of a user review? Why are "dislikes" hidden on user reviews, when we can view negative reviews for the game? Can the future reviews a game receives be influenced by the pre-existing reviews, and thus influence the consumers considering its purchase?

In this evaluation of the Steam Reviews system (https://store.steampowered.com/reviews/),
limitations and oversights are briefly described. This message to Valve elucidates how the Steam Reviews system functionality is further recognized — to the benefit of the Developer, Publisher, Consumer, and of course to Valve itself. To address this issue, a search bar feature implementation will account for variability in consumer research preferences when considering the valuation of a game for its purchase, allowing specific details to be confirmed on-demand. The current system may contribute to cases of excess hype or dwindling playerbases. Countless games receive biased reviews that deter consumer interest; however, tools for rapid and precise filtering of the information would undeniably increase the efficacy of convincing consumers to give disparaged games a chance.

Video games represent an interactive form of modern art. The beauty of which is decided by the beholder, and I have decided that there are many games that are impressive in their own way from old to new regardless of the percent positive. Games of which that have taken years to develop. Games that overcame obstacles ubiquitous within the industry from individuals to organized teams. I have been a Steam user for 18 years now, and I am expecting improvements to be made, because I know Valve cares about the gaming industry and need to be criticized. There are other features on Steam that don't make sense, but this one is critical and must be reported. Regardless, I do have a lot of respect for Valve and I hope this convinced you, because I am extremely passionate about 4 things in my life, and one of them is video games. I won't let an industry leader get comfortable. And Valve, you know how to contact me.