8 Practical Tips to Unlock Global Games on Steam For Free

Steam, the world’s largest game distribution platform, boasts an impressive monthly user base of up to 120 million. Players can conveniently search for and download licensed games using the Steam client, while game creators and publishers can effectively showcase and sell their works. Moreover, Steam serves as a vibrant game community, offering a platform for players to seek answers and engage in discussions. However, a few concerns arise. First, certain games on Steam may have regional restrictions and second, game prices tend to vary depending on the region. We will help you figure out how to unlock global games on Steam and give other tips on how to effectively use this platform.

Best Steam Tips For Gamers

#1 Change Your Steam Region

How to change the Steam region? To download games on Steam from another region, you need to change your IP address. Mostly VeePN for Steam is used for this task since it has 2500+ VPN servers. In addition to VeePN (there is a free trial mode), you will also need means of payment from the country to which you are changing your IP address. To solve this problem, you can use international payment systems such as Revolut, Wise, and PayPal.

#2 Join the Steam Beta

When creating a Steam account, you can sign up to access the publicly released features. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you have the option to participate in the Steam Beta program. This grants you access to features that are currently in the testing phase, such as the new Storage Manager, which appears to be introduced in preparation for the Steam Deck. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to join the Steam Beta program:

1. Go to Steam and open the “Settings” menu.
2. In the “Account” section, locate the “Beta Participation” drop-down menu.
3. Choose “Steam Beta Update” from the options.
4. Click “OK” and restart your computer.
5. Congratulations! Valve will now deliver early features directly to you.

#3 Add a Non-Steam Game to Your Library

Sometimes the Steam Store doesn’t have the games you want to play. For instance, let’s say you have Star Wars: Battlefront II on your wishlist for some peculiar reason. Electronic Arts’ Origin shop is the only place to buy it (on PC), so you have to purchase it directly from the gaming company that has a reputation for being unpopular.

You download it, enjoy swinging a few lightsabers, and hope that loot boxes never make a comeback. But, unfortunately, having two separate game launchers isn’t your cup of tea. Luckily, Valve has a solution for that.

You can add Star Wars: Battlefront II, or any other PC game, to your Steam library by clicking Add A Game in the bottom-left corner of the interface, then selecting Add a Non-Steam Game. From there, you simply choose the title and click Add Selected Programs. Easy as that!

#4 Ask a Friend to Share His Game Library

You can share your digital PC game library with others in your household, even though it is digital. Family Library Sharing allows you to lend your games to up to 10 other people who use the same gaming PC.

To enable it, visit Steam > Settings > Family, and click the box “Authorize Library Sharing On This Computer”. Once you approve another user’s request for authorization, they can download and play the titles in your library, except for those that require a third-party security key. They will also have their own game saves, so you don’t have to worry about them affecting your progress.

#5 Refund a Steam Game

When purchasing a video game, there is always a slight degree of risk involved. The game might fail to start, suffer from poor frame rates, or simply turn out to be disappointing. Thankfully, Valve offers a refund program that allows you to minimize these risks.

To access the refund option, navigate to Help > Steam Support on the Steam platform. You will be presented with a list of your recent purchases. By selecting a game and the associated issues, you will be directed to a page where you can submit a refund request. It’s important to note that the refund request must be submitted within two weeks of purchase and the gameplay time should be less than two hours. This refund option is applicable not only to games but also to DLCs, in-game purchases, pre-orders, and even hardware like the Steam Controller and Steam Link.

#6 Give the Gift of Gaming

Valve offers an effortless way to purchase games as gifts. Just like adding a title to your own Steam shopping cart, select “Purchase As a Gift” instead of “Purchase For Myself” and choose a recipient from your Friends List. It’s that simple!

Moreover, you have the option to instantly send the game to the recipient’s Steam account or schedule a delivery for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or any preferred time.

#7 Follow Steam Curators

It can be challenging to discern which games on Steam are worth playing, given the vast selection of both high-quality and low-quality options. Expert advice becomes crucial in such situations. By following a Steam Curator, you gain access to hand-picked lists of recommended games from trusted publications and personalities. If you download an iOS VPN, you will be able to find many curators outside of your home region. This is especially useful for those who focus on specific genres or who play regionally restricted games.

#8 Utilize Local Network Transfers

People who have multiple PCs connected to the same network or a PC/Steam Deck combo will find this tip incredibly useful. Steam offers local area network (LAN) file transfers, allowing you to transfer Steam games from one gaming PC to another on the same network. This process reduces game installation times by directly transferring data between systems, bypassing Steam’s servers. Moreover, the LAN file transfer option allows you to adjust permissions, which is particularly helpful if friends are connecting to your network. Connected users can view your installed games, making them the first to know if you’re playing adult content on Steam.

Conclusion

In most cases during 2023, Steam games are released to the general public at 10 AM PST. However, this is not a strict rule, as Steam occasionally releases some of the popular games at different times, like midnight.

This remains a significant concern in several gaming communities. For instance, Dark Souls 3 recently faced criticism for releasing earlier in certain regions. The Dark Souls community heavily relies on the sense of wonder, adventure, and discovery. Tips, tricks, and intriguing discoveries are frequently discussed, and when one region gains access earlier than others, it can easily fracture the player base. But this problem can be fixed and now you know how to do it.