Steam adds broadcasting feature

It is now possible for all Steam users to watch their friends' games with the click of a button through the Broadcasting service, which is available in beta. By accessing the broadcast sub-section of Steam's Community section, it is also possible to watch streams from random users.

Valve stresses that the process is very simple and that it does not require ownership of the game or paying any fee. The only thing that is needed is to opt in to the Steam Client Beta, which can be done in the Steam Settings panel.

For now at least, it is only possible to watch the streams live, meaning that there are no VODs, and players cannot make money from their broadcasts.

Content restriction is, as expected, very strict, with the following broadcasts and chats not possible:

• Porn, inappropriate or offensive content, warez or leaked content or anything else not safe for work
• Discussions of piracy, cheating, hacking, game exploits
• Threats of violence or harassment, even as a joke
• Copyrighted material
• Soliciting, begging, auctioning, raffling, selling, advertising, referrals
• Racism or discrimination and abusive language

You can check out more information about Stream Broadcasting by clickng here.