Valve Unveils New Anti-Piracy, In-Game DLC Features To Steamworks

Valve says it now "makes DRM obsolete" with key new features for its free Steamworks publishing and development tools. Chief among these is a Custom Executable Generation technology intended to act as a complement to Steamworks' anti-piracy solutions. With CEG, users gets unique copies of a game that they can access on multiple PCs with neither install limits nor root kits. Steamworks is also adding support for both paid and free downloadable content that can be delivered in-game. Users can purchase DLC and begin using it within the same play session. Also among the new features is a lobby system for matchmaking -- the same one shipped in Left 4 Dead. "Delivering this extension of services on Steamworks first anniversary demonstrates our commitment to continually develop the platform to better serve the community working with these tools," says Valve co-founder and president Gabe Newell. "As we roll out these features, we continue to look for new ways make PC games easier to create and better for customers to experience."