Valve takes on Twitch with Steam Broadcasting

Valve has launched a new service called Steam Broadcasting enabling users to stream their games.

Spectators will not need to download any additional apps and can select to observe games through another user’s profile or their Friend’s List.

The scheme is currently in open beta. Valve has said concurrent viewing may be limited while the service is scaled up to support a wider audience.

Despite seemingly being a rival service, Twitch VP of marketing Matthew DiPietro has released a statement wishing Valve “the best of luck” with the initiative, while stating the two streaming solution’s offer “vastly different feature sets”.

"We are huge fans of Steam and work with Valve regularly on various events and product integrations,” he said.

“While Steam’s broadcasting solution and the Twitch platform are very different things with vastly different feature sets, it’s really validating to see a company like Valve embrace streaming in this way. Live video is the future of social connectivity for gamers and this is another proof point. We wish them the best of luck."