Steam releases big updates in time for Summer Sale, including the addition of Steam Points

Earn new rewards just for buying stuff.

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What you need to know

Afew new updateshave made their way to Steam just in time for the traditional Summer Sale. The biggest addition is that of Steam Points. You’ll now earn 100 points for every $1 you spend on games, hardware, soundtracks or DLC. These points can then be redeemed in the Points Shop on a variety of items.

These items include Animated Avatars, Frames, Backgrounds, Badges and Chat emoticons. This is a good segue into the other side of the updates: Steam now supports Animated Avatars, Themes and Avatar Frames. Some of these are from games and anything you buy is yours to keep forever — though do note, you can’t trade them once they’ve been purchased.

So, if you were looking to drop some cash on Steam anyways, now you’ll be able to pick up some profile customization options with all the points you rack up.

Stock up your library.

This large sum of cash is the perfect way to allow yourself to indulge and grab some games from Steam— or help someone else to.

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Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter@SamuelTolbert.