steam-broadcasting
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Steam Broadcasting grabs popcorn, exits beta
Valve added Steam Broadcasting to its PC distribution platform in an update this week, taking its livestreaming solution for games out of beta. Those that update Steam can now change their settings to determine whether to enable broadcasting and limit it to their friends list. Providing the streaming service is enabled, gameplay video will automatically broadcast when players start their games. Valve announced the Twitch alternative in December. According to Steam's support page, the service will only broadcast gameplay video by default, though players can opt to stream a video of other apps on their computers, allowing for broadcasts such as instructional videos. It also records the audio that plays through the default speakers on the broadcaster's computer, so those hoping to include audio from another source will have to find a work-around for the time being. Head to your Steam friends list and select "watch game" to check the broadcasting service out. [Image: Valve]
Joystiq Weekly: Street Fighter 5, Captain Toad review, PlayStation's 20th and more
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Judging by how many uploads of Street Fighter 5's announcement trailer have been pulled, we're thinking Capcom doesn't want us to know about it just yet. Considering it seems to be a PS4 console exclusive, we're wondering if the reveal slipped out ahead of PlayStation Experience, this weekend's gathering in Las Vegas to talk all things PlayStation. We can find out together as the event plays out over the next 48 hours, but PlayStation news isn't the only thing happening this week – The King's Quest series is getting a new entry, we reviewed Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker and Telltale Games' Game Of Thrones, and Managing Editor Susan Arendt explained the Danganronpa series' remarkable conveyance of how depression works. Those and many more stories are waiting for you after the break!
Steam ready to take on Twitch with new game Broadcasting feature
Streaming videos of people playing video games is big business. Right now though, there isn't much competition -- Twitch pretty much dominates the scene. But, if there's one company that can topple the king it's Valve. Today it took the wraps off Steam Broadcasting, which will allow you to tune into any game your friend (or a complete stranger) is playing with the click of a button. And, by extension, it lets you stream to anyone you like, without the need for a third party app or service. All you do is visit a person's profile and if they're currently slinking their way through Alien: Isolation you'll be able to click "Watch Game" and witness them get disemboweled after making a wrong turn. Obviously, you can also choose to keep your game play private or limit spectators to your circle of Steam friends. Those options will pop up the first time someone asks to watch a game. Though, you can always choose to change those settings later on. Steam Broadcasting is in open beta right now, which means anyone who wants to can participate, though Valve says it may restrict the number of concurrent viewers as it scales up to a proper release.
Steam infiltrates Twitch territory with Steam Broadcasting [Update: Twitch reaction]
Steam Broadcasting allows players to stream their live gameplay to friends, strangers and any Steam user between, without any third-party programs required. To stream a game, simply start playing. Players are able to keep their gameplay private, too. The first time a friend requests to watch your live game, you'll see the broadcast privacy settings, with choices to allow friends to watch, request to watch, receive invites to watch, or to allow anyone to watch your games. Choosing "Anyone can watch my games" makes your stream appear on that game's Hub. "You'll receive a toast when a friend either requests to watch or starts watching your game," the Steam Broadcasting FAQ reads. "At any time you can see a list of viewers from the Steam overlay broadcast box, or if you're watching your own broadcast, from the top of the chat." There's no option to record broadcasts on Steam yet. Those in the Steam Client Beta can try out Steam Broadcasting right now.
