Key Takeaways
- Oldest Steam account turns 21, sparking nostalgia among users
- Steam offers vast game library and convenient features worldwide
- Users lament the change in badge designs, but Steam continues to thrive at 21 years old
The first Steam account has reached the milestone of becoming 21 years old. The anniversary has Steam users thinking about the years that have gone by and how much the service has changed in that time.
Most PC gamers at this point have likely used Valve’s game platform, propelling Steam to new concurrent player records, regardless of whether it’s their preferred gaming service. The game distribution platform now offers a stunning number of games from tiny indies to AAA titles, with convenient features and download servers all over the world. However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Steam since day one, as the users of the oldest Steam accounts can probably attest.
September 10 is the anniversary of the first day that Steam accounts were made. The first of them, which goes by the name AbacusAvenger, has now turned 21. Users on Reddit gathered to discuss and celebrate the anniversary, talking about the history of Steam. Many discussed how clunky Steam was in its early days, and the general confusion that some had when they discovered that they needed to download a secondary piece of software to update and play Counter-Strike. While Steam now provides a seamless and smooth purchase and installation process for most of its userbase, the service was much rougher around the edges early on.
Steam Users Lament 21-Year Change
Unfortunately, Steam has made one change that users aren’t fond of. Last year, in honor of the service’s 20th anniversary, Steam introduced a special 20-year badge that used the iconic original Steam green color scheme. This badge is only intended for accounts that were there during the first year of the service, giving a nod to its longest supporters while celebrating its long-gone aesthetic. However, the 21-year badge is generic, with a gold and pink design. Players have lamented that the classic badge is gone and can’t be shown off once the 21-year badge takes its place. Some users would have preferred to have seen the Steam Green continue for the foreseeable future.
It took a while for Steam to establish itself as the powerhouse of game distribution that it is today. Since those early days, the parent company has gone on to develop controllers, gaming systems like the Steam Machine and Steam Deck, and even the Valve Index, its VR headset. While some fans would prefer to see more game development come from Valve directly these days, the company as a whole is still going extremely strong.
Steam
Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.
- Brand
- Valve
- Original Release Date
- September 12, 2003
- Original MSRP (USD)
- N/A
- Weight
- N/A