14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer Valve announces that it is introducing a number of changes to the recently launched Tagging system for the Steam digital distribution service in order to make it easier to eliminate those player-created tags that are unhelpful for the rest of the community.
In an official announcement, the company explains that: “There is a new reporting option next to popular tags on game pages. You can click the flag icon to report a tag, which will downvote the tag. Right now there are four report reasons: Offensive/abusive tag; Not appropriate for this product; Not a helpful tag; Spoiler.”
Valve is also trying to make sure that those tags that are shown for a game are actually linked to the title and accurately describe the type of experience that players will get from it.
Valve adds, “In general, tags need to be applied by more users before they will show on the popular tags section ‘For You’ / Recommended tags will only recommend tags that apply to multiple games.”
The company is also encouraging all those who are currently using Tagging to offer clear feedback on the feature so that it can be quickly improved.
Valve estimates that it could soon move the feature out of beta in order to make sure that the entire Steam ecosystem uses it.
Gabe Newell, the leader of the company, has explained that he is interested in making it as easy as possible for gamers to discover the titles that can appeal to their interests and to their passions.
The company has big plans to actually allow each user to put together their own digital store front, open to all their friends on Steam.
In 2014, users will also be able to get access to the new SteamOS, the specifically designed haptic controller and the associated hardware coming from third parties.