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The software provides a freely available application programming interface (API) called Steamworks, which developers can use to integrate many of Steam's functions into their products, including in-game achievements, microtransactions, and support for user-created content through Steam Workshop. It also provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud storage, and in-game voice and chat functionality.
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Steam offers digital rights management (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking services. Steam has also expanded into an online web-based and mobile digital storefront. It was launched as a standalone software client in September 2003 as a way for Valve to provide automatic updates for their games, and expanded to include games from third-party publishers.
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Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve.
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