For years now, one of the aspects where PC users always were ahead of those of us with Macs was gaming. Franchises that many players around the world enjoyed on their gaming consoles were usually available only on PC, with Mac gamers left behind.

Nowadays though, thanks to Steam on OS X, Mac users can enjoy a lot more variety of choice when it comes to game releases. And even while the Mac Steam library is not as big as the one for PC, being able to access Steam on your Mac opens up a ton of possibilities.

So if you have ever wanted to give Steam a try on your Mac, read along.

When you open Steam on the Mac, your game library is by default shown with a filter for games released under the 'SteamPlay' label. Buying games with this label always gives you the Mac version or the Mac and Linux versions for free in addition to the Windows version of the software. Steam is compatible with all Mac devices however the list of games that are Mac compatible are extremely low and on almost all games you will have to play on very low settings since the graphics in even the highest end MacBook pro’s is not up to t.

What is Steam?

Long story short: Think of Steam as an independent App Store (requires a free account) but exclusively for games. The application helps users download and install their games on their computers, as well as offering a multiplayer and a social networking platform for players to interact.

Are You Ready?

The very basics you need to start gaming on Steam is to create a free account and download their native app.

There's no guarantee that Steam games are going to be recompiled for ARM Macs. If you use Boot Camp to play Windows games on Apple hardware, then you're going to be out of luck. Apple has confirmed.

There are some basic system requirements for running the Steam app, but you should be ok unless you have a very old Mac model.

Important Note: Note that the system requirements for running the Steam app are completely different than the ones for running games. So make sure to check the requirements for each game before jumping in.

Once you have the app on your Mac, open it to browse the different games available.

One of the great things about Steam is that it provides demos of most games for you to try before buying. Additionally, Steam is known for its constant sales, allowing you to get some great releases usually at lower prices than on consoles.

Once you find a game you are interested in on the Mac section of Steam (not all games are available on Mac sadly), make sure to check its minimum system requirements at the bottom of the game’s page of before downloading it.

Cool Tip: If you like to hunt for game sales on Steam, then you can check IsThereAnyDeal and CheapShark, two sites that constantly monitor and showcase the latest Steam sales and deals.

Perfect Control

One of the best aspects of using Steam to play on your Mac is that it allows you to use game controllers. And the good news is that if you have a game console, its controller will likely work with Steam.

For example, if you have a PS3 or PS4 controller, you can easily use those to play Steam games, which makes the experience a lot better than merely using your keyboard.

In the case of a PS3 controller, all you need to do is start Steam and then press and hold the PS3 controller’s PS button. After a while Steam will take over and the app will become full screen and take you its controller interface.

There you will be able to use your controller to navigate around all of Steam, including the shop and other media options.

And of course, you will be able to play games with the controller as well.

And there you go. If you never tried Steam and are into gaming, then use this guide and give the platform a try. It is a great way to play games on your Mac.

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Also See#games

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Chances are, you’ve heard the name Steam whether it be through your kids, students, or just around the internet but what is it and does steam work on Mac?

With over 90 million active players each month, Steam is one of the most popular gaming platforms in the entire world.

To put that into perspective, as of July 2019, over 100 million people have purchased a Playstation 4. So it’s safe to say that, in regards to a player base, Steam is right up there with gaming’s biggest juggernauts.

The ability to play games on a variety of different platforms is quite appealing to a lot of gamers, especially those that play on PC. Steam gives players the freedom to do that, and more, without needing a traditional gaming console.

But what exactly is Steam? Does Steam work on Mac? Does it cost money to play games on Steam? And is Steam safe for your children?

If you’re asking yourself these kinds of questions, wonder no longer, because we’re here to help! In this article, we’ll tell you what Steam is, where and how you can play games via Steam, and why it’s the best way to play games.

Now then, let’s get started!

What Exactly Is Steam?

First and foremost, let’s address what Steam is at its core. Steam is a video game distribution software that is available on a wide variety of digital platforms.

Now, what does all of that mean? Well, above all else, Steam is a software program that allows you to easily purchase and play video games on your computer or mobile device.

So instead of purchasing a video game console, like the ones made by Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, you’ll simply need a computer or mobile device and the program to play.

Steam doesn’t have a monthly fee, you simply pay for the games, download them on your computer or mobile device, and you’re all set. And if you want to play games online with your friends, you don’t have to have a special service to do so, like Xbox Live or Playstation Network.

Besides providing access to a wide variety of games, and streamlining the process to play those games on PC, Steam has a bunch of other features, too. For instance, for games that include some sort of online multiplayer aspect, Steam offers servers for gamers to play those games on.

And again, there’s no extra charge for this service, which can be appealing to gamers who play online frequently.

Streaming is also extremely popular at the moment, and Steam has made streaming games that are played via their software a breeze. That’s why, when it comes to PC gaming and streaming, Steam is currently the most popular platform choice available.

How Does Steam Work?

First, you’re going to need to download steam to your computer or mobile device. Again, this is free to do, so don’t worry about paying some sort of set up fee.

Next, you’re going to want to create a Steam profile so you can gain access to the Steam games library. Doing all of this is rather easy, and doesn’t take too long to accomplish.

Once you’ve downloaded the program and created your account, you’re all set! Now you can pick a game to either download or purchase and start playing!

Steam may require updates regularly, like any other software program or application. But those updates are usually pretty quick and don’t require any additional purchases, so don’t worry about having to pay for something down the line.

The benefit of using Steam to play games is that you can have your Steam account on multiple devices. So you can game from a wide variety of devices using the same profile, without needing to purchase another copy of a game, all you do is sign in and they’re all there.

Also, if your computer or device breaks or malfunctions, and you need to purchase a new one, you won’t lose all of the games that you’ve purchased as a result. Simply re-download them from your profile on your new device and you’re good to go!

What Games Are Available?

Most gamers want to make sure there are plenty of games on a specific platform that they’re interested in playing before investing time or money in that platform. Well, there’s a reason so many people are using Steam to play games; the amount of games available in the store is mind-boggling.

For the most part, just about every major AAA title is available to purchase in the Steam library. Sometimes games come to Steam later than they do to consoles like Xbox and Playstation, but most multi-platform games eventually make their way to Steam.

Is Steam Safe To Download On Mac

It’s worth noting that PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch games that are exclusive to their respective consoles are not available via Steam. So if you’re trying to play the Mario games, you’re not going to find them on Steam.

With that being said, Xbox, in particular, has gotten more friendly with the idea of releasing games on PC. So if you’re into games like Halo or Gears of War, you can expect to still be able to play those on your computer in the future.

Some of the best games of all time are available on the Steam library right this very moment. New games are launching every week, too, some of which are even free to play!

Regardless of what style of gamer you are, you’ll be able to find something that fits you in the Steam library.

Is Steam Safe for My Child to Use?

If you’re a parent or guardian, you may be wondering if Steam is safe for your child to use. The short answer? Yes. But you do have to set up a few things beforehand to ensure that your child is having the experience that you want them to have.

It’s worth noting that the Steam library does indeed carry games that have an “M” for mature rating. There are also games that feature a voice chat mode during online play, and players can be quite colorful with their choice of language, to say the least.

With that being said, all of this can be blocked via parental controls. You can set up an account for your child that limits them from playing games over a certain rating and even disables the voice chat feature.

Again, above all else, Steam is a video game store. So there are games that are available for purchase at the click of a button. Some games have in-game purchases as well, all of which can add up to a hefty price tag over time if you’re not careful.

You can, however, set up parental controls that disable your child from purchasing games outright, as well as making in-game purchases.

Does Steam Work on Mac?

The answer to the “does Steam work on Mac?” question is a bit complicated. The short answer is yes, Steam works on Mac; however, games will not run as well as they would on a PC.

Mac computers aren’t designed internally with gaming in mind, so for some of the bigger, more graphically-demanding games, you won’t get an enjoyable experience when playing on a Mac, and they can even do damage to your system.

Luckily the gaming community can be quite a helpful place. You can easily find curated lists filled with awesome games that are Mac-friendly. So if gaming on a Mac is your only option, you’ll still be able to play a ton of great games without having to sacrifice much, or at all.

It’s also quite easy to download Steam on Mac, or any platform, for that matter. So if you’re trying to play games today, you can expect to be set up and good to go in just a few short minutes!

Playing Video Games via Steam

Well, there you have it! Those are a few reasons why Steam is the best way to play games in 2019! So if you or a gamer in your life are interested in playing games on Steam, it’s absolutely worth downloading and trying out.

Steam On Macbook

Remember, Steam is free to download and use, you simply need to pay the cost of the games themselves. There are a ton of free games available, too, which is nice if you just want to give it a try before investing too much money in games on the platform.

And if you’re asking yourself, does steam work on mac? Now you know; it will work, just not as well as it would on Windows PC.

Steam Not Opening Mac

If you have kids, Steam is indeed safe for them to use, especially if utilizing the various parental control features. And regardless of what kind of gamer you or the gamer in your life is, you’ll be sure to find plenty of games on Steam that are worth checking out.

Looking for more video games tips and tricks? Keep browsing our blog!