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On the Steam platform, you can find not only a rich selection of games but also movies and various applications and programs. We will take a look at what interesting things can be found in the Valve store without spending a single dollar.
For most of us, Steam is primarily a source of games, but on the digital distribution platform created by Valve, you can also find other things – including movies and programs. Among the latter, there are applications that perform a variety of tasks. What’s more, many of them are available completely free of charge. We present you with a list of ten proposals worth paying attention to.
We tried to choose programs that offer a wide range of possibilities and applications and, at the same time, have at least positive ratings on Steam. Some of the applications are fairly new, while others have been popular among users for years. However, the above suggestions are certainly not exhaustive – the catalog of programs available on Valve’s digital distribution platform may not be as extensive as the one covering games, but it is nevertheless very rich. We encourage you to browse through this collection on your own – who knows, maybe you will find an application there that will be useful to you at work or completely change the way you use your computer.
System and computer optimization
Driver Booster 5
Driver Booster 5 is a powerful tool that allows us to update drivers on our computers quickly, efficiently, and safely. This program is a great option for those less familiar with operating and taking care of their PC, but it can actually make life easier even for advanced users. For example, while most of us remember to update our graphics card drivers regularly, we don’t necessarily approach the software associated with the motherboard or network card with the same care. Driver Booster 5 reminds you of emerging patches and lets you download all of them with a single click.
Create and edit your own videos and games
Blender
Blender is an application that allows you to create and animate three-dimensional models, which you can then use, for example, in computer games (or mods for them) you are developing. The program works on the basis of the OpenGL API and is cross-platform, which means that we can run it on Windows, Linux, and Mac computers. The application is continuously developed by the community (it was created under the GPL – General Public License)
AGE
AGE is an editor that allows you to create your own point & click adventure game without any coding expertise. The program is quite simple to use and offers a wide range of functions and capabilities – it uses resources stored in the popular XML format, so we can quite easily get or prepare the whole set of elements we need.
VR programs
LIV
An interesting application that allows you to create your own avatar for use in certain programs and games based on augmented reality technology. Liv boasts support for a rich catalog of productions (you will find in it, among others, Beat Saber, and SuperHot VR, with the list being regularly supplemented with new items. The program is a kind of continuation of OBS Reality Mixer, but unlike its predecessor, it is compatible with AMD components. The developers are also working on native support for Oculus Rift goggles.
Streaming, screenshots, gameplay recording
ShareX
An extremely useful tool that allows you to create a screenshot or record a short video (suitable for creating a .gif file) covering only a selected part of your desktop. The program also allows you to automatically save the image and even send it to a specific hosting service and get a link in the URL. All this is done several times faster than normal – just by pressing a single key.
Caffeine
An application that allows you to stream/watch live games, gameplay, or other types of content (such as podcasts, shows, etc.). The program is characterized by great ease of use and allows you to interact with viewers. What’s more, thanks to the very low latency, the contact is very natural – we don’t have to wait long for replies from the people we start talking to. Caffeine also allows you to monetize your content through micropayments without joining any affiliate initiatives.
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