Tell Your Friends (What To Do): Steam Has Guides Now
Do you ever feel lost? As though each and every moment is just a blind struggle in some abyssal darkness? I know I do - especially when the power's out or I forget how to open my eyes. But also, you know, metaphorically and stuff. And, as ever, in the game. Fortunately, Steam's now offering a solution to one of those issues - and, given Valve's unending quest to make its download/social network/movie-making/productivity software service do everything, the others can't be far behind. But yes, Steam Guides. They're in beta, and - if you're feeling so inclined - you can go make one of your very own right now.
The general idea is a somewhat more elegant GameFAQs - so, you know, with actual pictures and fonts and menus and stuff. Valve explained:
"You've probably got some favorite games that you play a lot and know pretty well. Or maybe you've mastered playing as a certain class or character in Team Fortress 2 or Call of Duty. Or maybe you're just really good at finding all the hidden secrets in the latest Elder Scrolls game. How do you put that knowledge to use and help fellow gamers? Create a game guide on Steam!"
Assuming you're in the Steam Community beta, a new Guides tab will now appear on the hub for each Steam game. Making your own is as simple as picking the option, twisting open your noggin like a tin can, and letting the precious secrets contained therein spill onto the virtual page. Among other things, you can also add Steam cloud images and YouTube videos. But you, of course, are the glue that holds it all together. You beautiful, glorious snowflake, you.
As always, Valve's open to feedback. How of it they'll actually use is anyone's guess, but tossing a few suggestions their way can't hurt, right? And then you can make a guide explaining how you got Valve to listen to you. (Protip: Probably don't ask about Half-Life 3 every other sentence.)