Steam "Gifting Feature" Opens

Hot on the heels of the opening of the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console "Gifting Feature" comes something more hardcore-gamerish: Steam has launched a similar gifting feature.

If you don't already know, Steam allows users to purchase access to games through a digital distribution system. So, rather than buying boxed software and installing via the DVD, purchased software is linked on the Steam servers to the user's Steam account. It can be accessed and downloaded from any system that has the Steam client installed.

There are tons of games you can purchase, including Call of Duty 4, BioShock and Company of Heroes. The new gifting feature is described on this FAQ page.

It's a simple process. When checking out, you you will see a notice that asks "Is this a gift?". Click the check box next to "Yes, it's a gift," hit "next" and you're on your way to giving your gift.

If the recipient has a Steam account, it will automatically be linked on the Steam servers. Either way, they will receive an email telling them of your gift.

To find out if your friend already has a game you can check their Steam Community profile and click on "View all games" to view your friend's list of owned games on Steam. Alternatively, when checking out any friend who already owns the selected game will be filtered out of the potential list of recipients.

Since stores are starting to warn over delivery times (for example, Tuesday was the last day you could order on Amazon.com with Super Saver Shipping and get the delivery by Christmas Day), this could be a perfect solution.

Well, if your friends are gamers anyway.