How to Add Blizzard Games to Your Steam Library
In recent years, Blizzard Entertainment, the renowned game developer and publisher, has made a significant shift in its distribution strategy. After years of being exclusive to its proprietary Battle.net client, Blizzard has started to release its games on other platforms, including Steam. In this article, we will guide you on how to add Blizzard games to your Steam library.
Head to Battle.net, Download the Launcher, and Leave it Wherever You See Fit
To start, you need to download and install the Battle.net launcher from the official Blizzard website. Once installed, launch the launcher and log in to your Blizzard account. From the Battle.net dashboard, you can access all your Blizzard games, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Overwatch.
Step 1: Find the Game You Want to Add to Steam
Browse through your Battle.net library and find the game you want to add to Steam. Make sure the game is available on Steam, as not all Blizzard games are currently supported.
Step 2: Launch the Game and Go to the Settings Menu
Launch the game you want to add to Steam and go to the settings menu. Look for the "Account" or "Settings" tab and click on it.
Step 3: Enable Steam Cloud Saves
In the settings menu, look for the "Steam Cloud Saves" option and enable it. This will allow your game saves to be synced across both Battle.net and Steam.
Step 4: Add the Game to Steam
Go back to the Battle.net dashboard and click on the "Add to Steam" button next to the game you want to add. This will launch the Steam client and add the game to your Steam library.
Why Blizzard Games Are Not on Steam (Initially)
Blizzard Entertainment has a long history of being exclusive to its proprietary Battle.net client. However, in recent years, the company has started to release its games on other platforms, including Steam. There are several reasons why Blizzard games were not on Steam initially:
- Control: Blizzard wanted to maintain control over its games and distribution channels.
- Revenue: Blizzard earns a higher revenue share from game sales through its own Battle.net client compared to Steam.
- Quality: Blizzard wanted to ensure that its games were delivered to players in the best possible quality, without any interference from third-party platforms.
Why Blizzard Added Overwatch to Steam
In 2020, Blizzard Entertainment announced that it would be adding Overwatch to Steam. This move marked a significant shift in the company’s distribution strategy. Here are some reasons why Blizzard added Overwatch to Steam:
- Wider Reach: By releasing Overwatch on Steam, Blizzard aimed to reach a wider audience and increase its player base.
- Competition: The move was seen as a response to the growing competition in the PC gaming market, particularly from platforms like Epic Games Store.
- Player Choice: Blizzard wanted to give players more choices and flexibility in how they play its games.
Conclusion
Adding Blizzard games to your Steam library is a relatively straightforward process. By following the steps outlined above, you can access your Blizzard games on both Battle.net and Steam. Blizzard’s decision to release its games on Steam marks a significant shift in the company’s distribution strategy, and we can expect to see more Blizzard games on Steam in the future.