Valve tests new Steam reviews feature allowing users to share hardware specs, helping identify if performance issues are user-related.

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The latest Steam update introduces a feature that allows players to attach their hardware specifications to their reviews, making it easier for others to gauge potential performance experiences.

According to the recent Steam Client update notes, one of the beta features is the ability to include hardware specs when writing or updating a Steam User Review on a game’s store page.

Additional updates include the option to share your framerate data with Valve to help them understand game compatibility and enhance Steam, bug fixes for Linux users, and the ability to add comments when reporting a game as unsuitable for Steam Deck.

However, the highlight of this beta update is the new option to include personal hardware specs in Steam reviews. Steam’s review system favors recommendations over numerical ratings, which often leads players to overlook performance issues when deciding whether to endorse a game.

This makes sense; if a game crashes frequently, you’re unlikely to recommend it, even if you would have enjoyed it under ideal conditions. This is especially true for new releases, even if your setup meets or exceeds the minimum or recommended specs listed on Steam.

With this new review feature, players can indicate the hardware requirements necessary to run a game that has received a ‘Mixed’ tag due to performance problems.

Valve is also reassessing the pricing and release schedule for Steam Machines in light of rapidly rising memory and storage shortages.