6 minutes reading time
GAMING
OCT 19 2023

What are Steam Gift Cards Used For?

Ah, the Steam Card! The perfect key to THE platform for PC gaming. Their selection is gigantic with over 50,000 games and is expanding rapidly every day. But what is possible with a Steam card? Can you only buy games or is there more to it? Spoiler: There is more to it. We've put together an overview of the options for you. Find out more about the powers your Steam card holds in a moment!

Grab some games

On Steam, everything revolves around games. Every genre imaginable is covered. Whether it's an action game or strategy, immersive single-player story or multiplayer chaos, pixel graphics or photo-realistic experiences - there's something for everyone! In the following section, you will find a small catalogue of gaming options you will encounter on Steam. Perhaps you will find a new favourite!

Shooters

Screenshot of the game Team Fortress 2, a popular shooter by Valve. A person shoots with his minigun while being healed by a doctor.

If there's one company that knows something about first-person shooters, it's Valve. They've been around since 1998 with globally acclaimed classics like Counter-Strike, Team Fortress 2, Half-Life and of course Left 4 Dead. If we want to be extra generous, you can add the Portal series on top of that.

But alongside these immortal titles, you'll also regularly find Apex Legends, Call of Duty and Arma 3 in the top 100 most-played games on Steam, so if shooter games of any kind are in your crosshairs, use your Steam Card for pure shooter fun at the best price!

Survival

Screenshot of the game Project Zomboid. A person stands on a rise and looks at the crowd of zombies on the street.

When it comes to survival, you will have a lot of fun on Steam. For every way to die, there is at least one challenge to be found. Here are some recommendations that are also playable online:

Are you afraid of starving to death? Then Don't Starve is the right thing for you. Would you rather be creative and explore the world? We recommend the absolute classic Terraria. Do you like to smash zombies' skulls? Well, there are more than enough targets for that in 7 Days to Die!

A little personal tip: Try Project Zomboid! It's the perfect zombie package when it comes to scope, depth and immersion. Even though visually the game is more reminiscent of The Sims from 2000, it is part of the charm.

Strategy games

Screenshot from the game Europa Universalis IV. It shows a map of Europe, but with the inscription "Luxembourg" above it.

What if Luxembourg were to usurp world domination? What, Luxembourg? Doesn't that sound stupid? It is stupid too! But in games like Europa Unversalis IV and in Hearts of Iron IV you can actually dare such absurdity with enough skill!

However, if you prefer to enjoy your strategy games in peace, Sid Meier's Civilization VI or its competitor Humankind are ideal. They are both turn-based games that have something relaxing about them. Kind of like when you plan your next moves in a chess game.

PlayStation games

Screenshot from Sackboy: A Big Adventure. The main character runs on a coloured obstacle course.

Excuse me? PlayStation games on the PC? Yes, you read that right! Since 2021, Sony has been present on Steam with many previously exclusive PlayStation titles. So you can now equip your Steam library with games like God of War, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and even The Last of Us. Games that were previously only touchable with a PlayStation controller - are now controllable with your keyboard.

And the best part? PlayStation has already integrated itself really well into Steam - because its games are often included in Steam sales. In September 2023, for example, Sony hosted the PlayStation Publisher Sale, where the price of the games literally danced under the limbo pole with up to 75% off.

Xbox games

Screenshot from the game Forza Horizon 5. Hot Wheels cars drive on a crazy track with loops.

Xbox Game Studios has also been present on Steam for a while. Numerous Xbox exclusives such as the Forza Horizon, Halo and Gears (formerly Gears of War) series can be found among thousands of PC games! Forza Horizon 5 and the Halo: Master Chief Collection are now on sale at least every other month. For PC gamers, a new world opens up without having to have an Xbox console or Xbox Game Pass membership.

More than just games: Hardware on Steam

Image of a Steam Deck, Valve's handheld PC.

But it's not only software you can find in the Steam Store, but also hardware! In no time at all, you can experience immersive VR games via the Valve Index headset or continue gaming on the go with the Steam Deck.
So far, Steam users have already been able to benefit from a 10% discount on the Steam Deck during a few sales. It's easy to redeem multiple credit codes, and soon you'll have a gaming computer with you wherever you go. So stay on the lookout for Buy Steam Credit!

Extensions and DLCs

What would The Sims be without dogs & cats? Euro Truck Simulator 2 without Scandinavia? And Team Fortress 2 without hats? Expansions and DLCs are indispensable nowadays! Either to add more spice to games or to extend the adventure.

From cosmetic items, soundtracks and subscriptions to entire expansion packs, gaming currencies and new scenarios, it's all there! Steam is currently experimenting with a tool to help you find additional content for your games. Maybe there's something for you, too.

Software

Yes, they tend to be forgotten, but the Steam Store offers a surprisingly wide range of software! Wallpaper Engine, the most popular of them all, allows you to decorate your desktop with animated, customisable backgrounds. You'll also find plenty of educational software, such as RPG Maker or GameGuru, to create your own games. Tools like Aseprite, Houdini and VEGAS Pro give you the magic wand to create pixel art, 3D models or videos. The possibilities are endless!

Full steam ahead with the Steam Card!

Convinced by the huge choice Steam offers you? Then treat yourself to the key to the ultimate gaming world! Or make someone happy and give a Steam Card yourself! Find out more in our article on how Steam Card buying and gifting works or how to buy Steam Cards with Phone Credit. Knowing what Steam Cards are used for will prepare you well for big savings once the Steam Sales come around. Hopefully, we were able to give you a good overview, and hope you have fun gaming!

Translated by Ryan Kinlough

Tiago Mestre
Written by Tiago Mestre