Valve has released a significant update for Steam, introducing robust new customization options for user wishlists and improving the platform's gifting functionalities. The changes aim to bring order to extensive wishlists and simplify the process of sending games to others.
The most prominent addition to wishlists is the ability to create custom categories. Users can now organize their wishlisted games into user-defined groups, with new additions automatically assigned to selected categories. This applies to both new wishlisted items and existing ones, which can be reassigned by visiting their respective store pages. All created categories appear at the top of the wishlist page, allowing for quick filtering of games by category.
Furthermore, Steam users can now customize their wishlist notifications. This feature allows individuals to receive alerts only for specific categories, a welcome change for those with vast wishlists that can become overwhelming, particularly during sales. The update also adds notifications for when a wishlisted game receives a demo, with the demo clearly flagged on the wishlist. Search functionality on the wishlist page has also been enhanced with autocomplete and faster results, while the page itself now displays microtrailers and features a revamped navigation flow designed to return users to their last viewed position.
Sharing wishlists has also seen improvements, with the option to direct recipients to a specific category. This feature could indirectly encourage purchases by highlighting desired games.
The update extends to Steam gifting, making it easier to send digital gift cards and games. The guest checkout feature, previously limited to hardware and gift cards, now encompasses all games, allowing users to purchase and gift items without requiring a Steam account. This functionality integrates with the updated wishlists, enabling direct purchases from shared wishlist links even for those without an account.
Steam games and digital gift cards can now be sent to email addresses, irrespective of whether the recipient has a Steam account. Unclaimed gifts will expire after 30 days. This feature is currently restricted to users within the same country. However, for cross-region gifting, Steam now supports sending games in addition to digital gift cards. When a game is gifted across different regions, Steam will calculate the cost in the recipient's local currency at checkout, facilitating gifting from lower-priced regions to higher-priced ones.
These updates are now live across Steam on PC, its mobile application, and hardware like the Steam Deck and Steam Machine.