The launch date for this new segment is September 5th according to Valve. The software that will be available will range from creativity to productivity. Besides just allowing the purchase of software, Steam will also give ability to save data on Steam Cloud and automatic updates to the software that the users have installed. This will be handled through the Steamworks platform and is one that most gamers will already be familiar with.  Steam will accept new titles through their Greenlight system.

Valve Linux is becoming increasingly interested in expanding their system to cover multiple platforms. They see this as a security blanket should Windows 8 fail in the market. Gabe Newell, a former Microsoft Employee and Valve Chief has already stated that he thinks Windows 8 will be a disaster and that Valve intends to focus on more open platforms like Linux. We imagine that moving into non-gaming software was a logical step to reach out to Linux and OSX users that might not be gamers. This move will help establish a beachhead in the new market (meaning Linux users) which would be good for Valve even if Windows 8 does become a success.

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