Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Valve has introduced a significant update to the Steam store interface, now available in Beta, marking a notable shift toward personalization and improved game discovery. The redesign removes the familiar blue sidebar and replaces it with a more streamlined and user-specific navigation system, reflecting Valve’s ongoing efforts to enhance the user experience on its digital distribution platform.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Key Changes in Navigation and Layout

One of the most visible changes is the removal of the blue side menu, which has been a long-standing element of the Steam store layout. In its place is a set of personalized menu items designed to surface relevant content more effectively. The new structure simplifies access to core features and reduces visual clutter.

The "Browse" menu is central to the new layout. It highlights sections like Top Sellers, Discounts and Events, New Releases, Free to Play, Demos, and a direct link to the user’s Wishlist. This approach brings a more colorful and visually clear experience while relegating lower-priority items, such as the Points Shop, to a less prominent position.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Personalized Recommendations Take Center Stage

Another major update is the new "Recommendations" tab, which features three personalized game suggestions based on user activity. These selections are not part of the existing Discovery Queue, and instead, rely on individual playtime, purchase history, and recommendations from trusted connections.

Valve's algorithmic approach to recommendations has long been a core feature of Steam, and the redesign builds on this foundation. The update also surfaces the New Releases Discovery Queue, a previously underused feature, making it more accessible from the main menu.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Genre and Platform-Specific Customization

The updated "Top Genres" view presents six tags that Steam identifies as most relevant to the user. Unlike the older, extensive tag lists, this streamlined presentation offers a cleaner overview of categories that match user interests. For example, genres like SteamOS & Linux might be featured more prominently for users playing on a Steam Deck.

The "Hardware" section has been enhanced to emphasize Valve’s investment in gaming hardware. It now features expanded content around the Steam Deck, its docking station, and Valve’s VR devices. This is a shift from the previously minimal hardware mentions in the sidebar.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Expanded Accessibility via the "Ways To Play" Tab

The "Ways To Play" tab groups experiences that go beyond traditional PC gaming setups. It includes curated sections such as Great on Deck, Remote Play, Controller Friendly, and Co-Operative games. Each category links to existing curated lists, promoting a wider variety of play styles supported by the platform.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Enhanced Search Functionality

Search remains an essential part of navigating the Steam store, and while the core functionality is unchanged, several new enhancements have been introduced. These include:

• Popular Searches: Highlights what users are searching for in real time.
• Recently Viewed: Offers quick access to games previously browsed.
• Expanded Search Categories: Users can now search for tags, publishers, and categories, not just games.

An Advanced Search option is also being tested, offering users more control over how they discover games through detailed filters. These improvements aim to refine discovery not just by name, but also by genre, publisher, or other attributes.

Steam Store Gets a Major Redesign

Early Impressions and Impact

While these changes are still in Beta, the redesign suggests a stronger emphasis on surfacing personalized content and improving discoverability. For developers and publishers, the shift may help niche titles gain traction by aligning more closely with user preferences. However, momentum and visibility remain essential factors for success on the platform.

Ultimately, the new interface reflects Valve’s intent to keep the Steam store adaptive and user-centric. Although the overall mechanics of game discovery haven’t radically changed, the updated layout could encourage users to explore new genres, titles, and features more frequently.

Source: GameDiscoverCo