Thanks man, ive missed that somehow :)

The problem is that I feel that with Valve's new trading system in beta, I suspect that will make this at best irrelevent and at worst locked down.

Why? It would seem like the perfect use-case scenario to me. Steam carters (unlike GOG *coughs* HINT! *coughs*) a very neat API and an OpenID especially intended for third party use.
Is there any special reason that eludes me?
Sure, the additional sale benefit for Steam might be negligible (compared to what Steam is used to) and the PR is likely not worth additional effort, but that's the good thing, there is no additional effort involved for Steam. They get all of that for free, with systems specifically designed for third party use.

You don't give username and password to the site, you are redirected to the openID Site from Steam to login and after that, you are redirected with an OpenID to steamgifts.com

You login from the Steam-community OpenID site, which is controlled by Valve, so Steamgifts don't get to know your password. It isn't that different from linking to your SteamID on these forums.

Edit:
Ninja'd by Ubivis.

The login system is through the official Steam site. If you prefer, visit the Steam site, login, and then visit SteamGifts. Once you click the Sign-in with Steam button, no information needs to be entered.

Hmm nice idea, but I think I skip this one.

okay okay

so how does the site knows that i am logged into my steamcommunity?

I'll leave the technical terms and concrete implementation aside and try to explain it in laymen terms. If you are verified on Steam's identification, you are granted sort of a temporary password that has no relation to your actual Steam password. If you use a third party page, your computer hands on that temporary password, the third party page checks with Steam and Steam replies that you are who you claim to be. Now everybody's happy ;)

*edited a typo*

That FAQ is in reference to developers of games, not websites. They want to be able to allow people to trade games purchased through Steam for ingame items in the F2P games they host (such as Spiral Knights).

Valve are not going to want a third party website trying to get a slice of their cake. Especially one that might potentially try to monetize such a system while avoiding giving Valve a cut of the proceeds.

Cookie. I suppose.

Read up on OpenID. It lets steamcommunity vouch that you're logged in without disclosing information about you.

I know and am aware of the intention, but I see no negative impact on expanding the group.


But what sort of revenue are we talking about?
Advertisement? Steam wouldn't use any on their own pages, so there's no loss to them here if a third party does.
Or maybe fees? Steam would always keep their own charge on the trading system (assuming there is one, which I don't know), so any third party cut would be additional charges they don't get regardless of the means of transfer.
How else could somebody (ab)use such a system to get money out of it that Steam would be getting otherwise?

ugh... will try it.

i will blame you all if something happens :D

"Your account has been verified, with 114 games, valued at $1,098.68."