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If you like to play some of the adult games on Steam, and there are many, but you don't want your friends to know about them then this new Steam update is for you. Starting today, those that opt-in to the Steam Client Beta will see some new versions of the Steam shopping cart along with a new feature that will hide any game from the eyes of friends.
The updated Steam shopping cart adds in three new features. You will now be able to purchase gifts for multiple friends at a time without having to make separate purchases for each gift. Gift messaging has also been simplified. Your shopping cart will now also carry over between all devices where you are signed into Steam. Finally, you can keep your new purchase "private" at checkout so that nobody but you knows what sexy, sexy game you just bought.
Speaking of "private" games, the Steam Client Beta now lets you set any game as private. Setting a game as private will mean that only those with direct access to your account will see the games that have been marked as private. These private games will not show up in any sort of public or friend facing area.
What does "Mark Private" on a game do?
In general, marking a game as private will cause the game to appear to other users on the Steam platform as if you did not own it at all. If a game is marked as private:
In general, marking a game as private will cause the game to appear to other users on the Steam platform as if you did not own it at all. If a game is marked as private:
- The game will no longer appear on your Steam Community profile games list, or in the recently played games section.
- Your status on the Friends List of other users or in chats will not change to "In Game".
- Your activity in the game (like achievement unlocks or "Played for the first time") will not appear in the Activity feed of people on your Steam Friends List.
- When a Steam Friend is browsing the Steam Store, your profile will not appear in the "Friends who own this game" section.
- If a Steam Friend attempts to buy a game as a gift that you have marked private, you will not show as already owning the game.
- Showcases on your Steam Community Profile will not show the game or achievements for the game (such as the "Rarest Achievements" showcase).
- You will not receive Steam Trading Cards for the game while it is marked as Private.
- If you have changed the "Game File Transfer over Local Network" setting to allow other users on the same network to download games, they will not be able to transfer games that have been marked as Private.
If you want to hide some games, there are three ways to do it.
How do I mark a game as private?
There are three places where a game can be marked as private:
There are three places where a game can be marked as private:
- From the Steam Client
- You can mark a game as private from the "Manage" submenu on the game itself. This menu is available from right-clicking on a game or clicking the gear icon on the game details page. Additionally, it can be found under the "Privacy" settings in the game properties dialog. This option is only available when the Steam Client is online and connected to Steam. - From your web browser
- You can mark a game as private on your Steam Community Profile games list. - From your shopping cart
- Before you complete the purchase of a game, you can mark it private on the cart page.
