Steam is best known as a gaming platform, but since its launch over a decade ago, it's branched into other content, including a limited selection of movies. Now, though, Steam is significantly expanding its movie line-up, signing a deal with entertainment giant Lionsgate to bring some of its most popular films to Valve's digital distribution platform.
Under the partnership, Steam will offer over 100 movies, including major franchises from the movie-maker, such as The Hunger Games, Twilight, Saw, and Divergent.
Not all of these movies will be immediately available to the 125 million Steam users around the world, but the companies said that "more titles will be added as the partnership continues to expand worldwide".
All of the films on offer will only be available as rentals, priced around $4 to $5 in the United States. Pricing will be set locally in each market - in the UK, for example, rentals are charged at £3.49 or £4.49, although the launch selection of movies available there is rather weak, featuring none of the major franchises mentioned in today's press release.
As with other Steam video rentals, viewers can hold on to the movie for up to 30 days, but if they start watching it at any point, they must finish doing so within 48 hours.
The movies can also be watched on all Steam-supported platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux and SteamOS, as well as in virtual reality via SteamVR.
We'll have to wait and see if Steam has any similar partnerships lined up to offer more movies, or even TV shows, from other content providers. But considering Steam's vast global user base, and the potential to reach those tens of millions of customers with more content, it certainly seems like a strong possibility.
Source: Lionsgate (PRNewswire) via Variety
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