Steam Testing Hardware Specs Integration for User Reviews in Client Beta

Valve is testing a new feature allowing Steam users to attach their PC hardware specs when writing or updating game reviews, currently available in the Steam Client Beta. If fully launched, this update could help gamers quickly determine which hardware configurations may affect game performance, improving peer review reliability on Steam.

Valve has introduced experimental features in the Steam Client Beta, enabling participants to include detailed PC hardware information when submitting or updating user reviews on a game’s store page. This marks the first time the platform has allowed hardware specs to be directly tied to written game feedback, addressing a common problem for players trying to assess whether reported performance issues are widespread or specific to certain setups. This update is designed to deliver a more transparent experience for the 14 million+ Steam users in the United Kingdom and beyond, providing both reviewers and potential buyers with critical data for informed decisions.

Key Features in the Current Steam Client Beta

• Hardware Specs in Reviews: Beta participants can now “attach hardware specs when writing or updating a Steam User Review on a game’s store page,” according to Valve’s official patch note. This level of detail supports more accurate troubleshooting and review validation by allowing readers to compare feedback from users with similar hardware profiles.
• Anonymised Framerate Data Collection: The beta also introduces an opt-in feature allowing Steam to collect gameplay framerate data for further technical insight. Valve’s patch notes explain, “When enabled, Steam will collect gameplay framerate data, stored without connection to your Steam account but identified with the kind of hardware you are playing on. This data will help us learn about game compatibility and improve Steam. This feature is currently in Beta with a focus on devices running SteamOS.”
• Network Streaming Fixes: A specific bug where downloads were throttled after streaming sessions has been resolved, enhancing reliability for users who stream gameplay.

This beta update expands on Steam’s reputation for providing user-driven information, aiming to streamline the review process and bolster trust between buyers and reviewers. For the first time, potential purchasers will be able to filter user experiences based on actual hardware, such as GPU, CPU, memory, and operating system, bridging a long-standing information gap in PC game reviews.

Additional Steam Updates in the February 2026 Beta Patch

• Steam Families: Valve has improved setting layouts and navigation across desktop, Steam Deck, and mobile platforms, targeting family account management experiences.
• Linux Support: A bug in offline mode, causing Proton-based games to appear as “Not valid on current platform” for users with extensive libraries, has been fixed, improving the overall experience for Linux gamers.
• Steam Deck Review Feedback: When disagreeing with a Deck Verified rating, users can now provide optional feedback explaining their reasoning during the review process.

Valve’s intention is clear: by using user-generated hardware and performance data, the company aims to refine both compatibility insights and overall platform quality, especially for devices based on SteamOS.

The timing of Steam’s increased emphasis on transparency coincides with significant legal scrutiny. In June 2024, digital rights activist Vicki Shotbolt filed a £656 million lawsuit against Valve, accusing the company of market rigging and restricting competition through price parity clauses that allegedly forced publishers to keep Steam prices equal to or higher than on rival platforms. The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal recently ruled that this case can proceed, meaning up to 14 million Steam customers in the UK could be eligible for compensation if the suit is successful.

• Lawsuit Details: Filed by Vicki Shotbolt in June 2024
• Allegation: Valve imposed “price parity” clauses restricting lower pricing on other platforms
• Potential Impact: Up to 14 million UK Steam users could receive compensation
• Claim Value: £656 million

The integration of hardware specs into user reviews and anonymised framerate data is just the latest in a series of updates indicating Valve’s ongoing push for technical transparency and quality assurance as the PC games platform faces evolving user expectations and legal challenges. While these features are only accessible via the Steam Client Beta for now, widespread rollout could significantly enhance Steam’s review ecosystem, giving buyers greater confidence and insight tailored to their actual PCs.