1998
Origins
Half-Life establishes Valve’s game-making roots
A game developer’s distribution problem comes before the storefront.
Primary source ↗THE LONG VIEW
A platform, in the making.
Follow the moments that changed how games reach your library.
13 milestones
2003
Platform
Steam launches
The patch client begins its transformation into lasting PC infrastructure.
Primary source ↗2004
Games
Half-Life 2 makes Steam part of the purchase
A retail box and an online account become parts of the same journey.
Primary source ↗2005
Games
The marketplace opens to other developers
Rag Doll Kung Fu and Darwinia mark the early third-party era.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2011
Games
Team Fortress 2 goes free-to-play
A game’s commercial life extends beyond an up-front purchase.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2012
Platform
Greenlight introduces community voting
Admission to the store becomes a public process.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2013
Hardware
Steam arrives on Linux
Valve’s official announcement describes the Ubuntu client and launch catalog.
Primary source ↗2013
Platform
Early Access makes release a process
An unfinished, playable build can have a public commercial life.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2015
Platform
Steam introduces its broad refund policy
Consumer experience becomes part of the distribution story.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2017
Platform
Steam Direct replaces Greenlight
A different route to admission leaves the challenge of discovery.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2018
Hardware
Proton arrives with the Steam Play update
Compatibility work gives existing Windows games a new route to Linux.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2020
Games
Half-Life: Alyx arrives in VR
A familiar series explores a different way of interacting with a world.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗2022
Hardware
Steam Deck makes the library portable
Linux, compatibility, input, and account history meet in a handheld.
Historical sources in the cornerstone ↗A selected chronology, not a complete release calendar. Events retain their original year; new editorial work does not make an old event new.