Home > How To

The Steam Workshop – What It Is and How To Use It

Last Updated on July 15, 2024
Steam Workshop
You can trust PC Guide: Our team of experts use a combination of independent consumer research, in-depth testing where appropriate - which will be flagged as such, and market analysis when recommending products, software and services. Find out how we test here.

In 2003, Valve released Steam, a game distribution service that allowed users to download and play games from other users. Since then, Steam has become the leading PC gaming platform in the world.

Steam Workshop was created to allow players to share their creations with each other. This feature allows anyone to upload custom maps, skins, models, and other assets into the Steam library. These items can then be downloaded by other users.

Steam Workshop allows players to create their own mods for games such as Counter Strike Global Offensive (CSGO) and Dota 2. The modding community has grown exponentially since its inception.


Top 5 Cyber Monday deals

This year's Cyber Monday has officially kickstarted, offering up huge discounts on some of the market's leading tech products. Below, we'll list the best Cyber Monday deals we can find.

Prices and savings subject to change. Click through to get the current deal prices.


How did this happen, and why does it matter?

In this article, we will explore how Steam Workshop came about, what it is used for, and how you can use it yourself. We will also look at some of the most popular mods on Steam Workshop.

The History Of Steam Workshop

In 2003, Valve introduced Steam, an online game distribution system that allowed people to buy and sell digital copies of games.

At first, Steam only supported Windows-based computers; however, in 2013, the company launched SteamOS, which runs exclusively on Linux operating systems.

In 2012, Valve released Source Filmmaker, a free program that allowed users to make videos using 3D models. It became very popular among video gamers who wanted to make their own movies or animations.

In 2016, Valve released Steamworks, a set of tools that would allow developers to easily integrate Steam features into their games. One of these features included Steam Workshop, which allowed users to upload content directly into the Steam Library.

The Benefits Of Using Steam Workshop

One of the main benefits of using Steam Workshop is that it makes it easier for users to find new content.

When searching through the Steam Library, it can sometimes be difficult to find something specific. However, if there are already thousands of other users uploading content, finding your desired item should be much simpler.

Another benefit of using Steam Workshop is the ability to collaborate. If two or more users have uploaded similar content, they can work together to improve it. For example, one user could suggest improvements to another’s model while he or she works on his or her own version.

Another advantage of Steam Workshop is its ease of use. Instead of having to search through hundreds of files manually, you can simply browse through all the available content. You don’t even need to sign up for anything – just log in to your account and start browsing.

Finally, Steam Workshop provides a way to monetize your content. By selling your own products, you can earn money without having to spend any time marketing them.

1

Using Steam Workshop To Create Mods

If you want to get started making your own mods, here are some tips.

Step

1

Choose A Game That Has An Active Mod Community

 

Choose A Game That Has An Active Mod Community

Before you begin, you should choose a game that has an active mod community.

This means that there are plenty of resources available to help you out. There may be tutorials, forums, and other websites dedicated to helping others learn how to create mods.

Step

2

Find Out What Is Already Available

Find Out What Is Already Available

Once you know what type of mod you want to create, you should check out the existing mods. These mods might include things like weapons, vehicles, textures, maps, skins, and many other types of content.

Step

3

Get Your Hands On The Files

Get Your Hands On The Files

After you have found a few good examples of mods, you should download the source code from the website where they were created. Once you have downloaded the files, you should unzip them so that you can view their contents.

Step

4

Start Creating

Start Creating

After you have done this, you should start working on your version of the mod.

Remember that you will probably have to change some parts of the original file before you can successfully compile it.

Step

5

Upload Your Work

 

When you are finished with your mod, you should upload it to Steam Workshop.

After you do this, you should post a link to your mod on the Steam Workshop page.

Step

6

Share Your Content With Others

You should also share your content with other people who might be interested in it. If someone else creates a similar mod, you can offer to exchange information about your respective projects.

Step

7

Make Money From Your Work

You can also make money by selling your own products. If you have created a product that is popular among gamers, you can sell it directly to them. Alternatively, you can sell it through third-party sites such as Amazon.

Step

8

Collaborate With Other People

Finally, you can also collaborate with other people. If you find yourself stuck, you can ask other players for advice. They might not only give you the answer you seek, but they might also provide additional ideas for improving your project.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Steam Workshop makes it easy to create mods for games.

It allows you to quickly access a large number of high quality assets. In addition, you can easily share your work with other people. Finally, you can make money from your creations.

All in all, Steam Workshop is one of the best ways to create mods.

Andrew is one of three co-founders of BGFG, the parent company of PC Guide. A keen gamer and PC enthusiast, Andrew dabbles in a bit of writing sometimes - when he gets the chance to!