Steam (Photo : YouTube)
Steam users will have to spend at least $5 to access all of the features as part of Valve's efforts to crack down on phishing attempts.
Valve is not contented in its Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator introduced earlier this week. Steam users who want to access the gaming platform's features such as sending friend invites, participating in group chat and the Steam Market will have to accumulate a minimum of $5 worth of account value.
The new scheme is aimed at Steam users who are using the platform for malicious purposes, and it is not intended to affect the majority of its users who just buy and play games, according to Engadget.
Valve said that it was the easiest way to spot nefarious Steam users, comparing the account's age with their spending habits. The usual phishing accounts do not actually spend or invest in Steam. The "Half-Life" maker does not expect the typical user to be affected by the move.
So, how does one spend $5 in order to gain full access to Steam's features? Users can add that equivalent to their Steam Wallet, buy games that are equal to or more than $5 from Steam Store, add a Steam Wallet card to their account.
Steam users can also purchase a Steam gift equivalent to $5 or more, but receiving one from friends does not count, according to the company's support page.
Additionally, activating a retail game will not be counted. Playing free to play games, demos and promotional trials will not give the Steam user full access.
Users who did purchase $5 or more, but refunded will also have their access revoked. However, if the account still has past transactions that are more than $5, the refund will not affect the access.
Steam will allow those who spend the minimum amount to post frequently in Steam Discussions, gain Steam Profile Levels and Trading Cards, submit content on the Steam Workshop and to use the mobile and browser chat.
