Steam officially launched on September 12, 2003.
According to Valve, the developer and operator of the platform, they "launched Steam on September 12, 2003". This date marks the public debut of the digital distribution service that would eventually become a dominant force in PC gaming.
Key points about Steam's launch and subsequent growth:
- Launch Date: September 12, 2003.
- Developer: Valve.
- Initial Purpose: Originally intended as a way to deliver patches and updates for Valve's games like Counter-Strike, it quickly evolved into a full digital store.
- Evolution: Over the years, Steam expanded its features to include social networking, automatic game updates, cloud saving, achievements, and support for thousands of games from various publishers and independent developers.
- Impact: Steam significantly changed how PC games are purchased, distributed, and played, paving the way for digital-first sales and frequent updates.
The platform's success is attributed to both the developers who release games on it and the vast community of players worldwide who use it.
