Steam launches remote game downloads feature

Valve has brought Steam’s remote downloads feature out of beta, letting users of the digital distribution service manage their personal game catalogs through browsers and mobile apps.

Users may log into the Steam website or use Steam’s iOS/Android mobile app to access their library anywhere, and download items such as new releases and pre-loads onto their desktop as soon as they’re available.

The main purpose for the feature is to allow, if not encourage, Steam users to purchase titles and content while away from their home PC and have it downloaded automatically by the time they get back—though it also lets users install/reinstall any title from their Steam collection remotely as well.

When a remote session is detected, the Steam store even asks if the user would like to download new purchases immediately.

To start a remote download, users are instructed to visit their respective Games list on the Steam Community site.