Valve launches Steamworks
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Valve today made a big addition to Steam, its online content delivery system, with Steamworks, a free set of development tools allowing PC game-makers to integrate function "such as up-to-the-hour sales tracking, an encryption system, auto-updating, territory control, voice chat, multiplayer matchmaking, social networking (including features such as Achievements) and development tools, including private betas and QA tools," according to this Next-Gen piece.
"The less developers have to worry about the functionality of getting people into the games, the more they can concentrate on making the cool parts of the games,” said Valve business director Jason Holtman.
Hit the link for a full interview.