Steam

If you want to purchase video games and if you are looking for convenience, then Steam is the place to go. For this, you will need the Steam client, a straight forward and efficient utility for retrieving and managing games. In addition, the software provides access to an online community, news and updates and many other useful features.

The Steam application is absolutely free and it is available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It comes in a small package and it can be installed quickly, but you have to create and validate an online account before using the application. Apart from a working Internet connection, Steam doesn't have any special requirements.

The application lets you access the Steam online store and make purchases directly on its user interface. You can also access your local games library, community hubs and various user profile options, on separate tabs. Each tab has sub-sections, to help you filter the information and find what you are looking for faster.

You can browse through the Steam store just like on a web browser. There are various categories to sift through and buying a game can be done like any other online purchase. All you have to do is click a Buy option on a game's page, choose a payment method and fill in the blanks. If everything is in order, the client will start downloading the game and you will find it on the library tab.

Excluding the fact that you can't hold a downloaded game in your hands or place it on a shelf, there are many advantages to enjoy when using Steam. An important one is the fact that you can have an online digital library. This means that you can uninstall a game and download it again for free at a later date. Another excellent feature you will notice when buying a game is the possibility of buying the game as a gift to someone.

Speaking of purchases, the Steam summer sale is also worth mentioning. It is a period when prices drop considerably for numerous games. Furthermore, a recent addition to Steam's policy allows customers to ask for refunds if they are not satisfied with their purchases. This will have a positive impact on quality control, which is an issue lately, due to the overflow of early-access games.