Valve Ups Monetization Options With Steam Coupons

Valve has introduced a new Steam Coupons service to its popular distribution platform, allowing developers to offer discounts to targeted segments of the steam community. While Valve has yet to formally announce the service, the Steam Coupons FAQ page specifies that these virtual coupons will be single-use only, and will only be valid on the game designated by the coupon itself. In addition, these coupons will exist within users' Steam Inventory, originally introduced to manage in-game items alongside the Steam Trading service. According to gaming blog Blue's News, coupons can also be traded between users. With this new system in place, developers will have more ways to incentivize sales for their games, allowing them to target certain segments of the Steam community without discounting their games for all users via a sale. With an official announcement still pending, Valve has yet to specify exactly how these coupons will be distributed to users. Gamasutra has reached out to the company for comment, but has yet to hear back as of this writing.