Valve, the makers of Steam, have once again surprised their client's users by releasing a new feature that is sure to excite PC and Mac based gamers. Through the Steam client, users are now able to watch their friends or random gamers play their games via live stream.

While the new Steam feature is still in its beta phase, Steam client users can go ahead and sign up for it anyway, to give it a test run. Steam client users can find the beta test participation form on the Steam Community website.

What makes this new broadcast feature so revolutionary, is that Valve is actually treading on some territory that already belongs to live stream giant Twitch.tv.

Normally, when gamers want others to see what they're seeing as they play a game, they must broadcast it via programs and services, while going though Twitch.tv's website.

Now, Steam users will be able to simply right click and press "Watch Game" in order to see their friends in action. However, in order for someone to be able to press that option, the gamer must first make the necessary allowances on their Steam account.

The way the new Steam update works, is that once a friend or random user decides to watch a gamer's game, the broadcast automatically begins.

According to the official Steam release, "When you're playing a game and someone starts watching, you automatically start broadcasting. When you end the game your broadcast ends."

Stepping back into the idea that Valve's Steam is trying to take some of the spotlight away from Twitch.tv, public broadcasts will be visible when searching a game's hub. A Steam client user will be able to enable this option on their account if they choose to do so.

The Steam post reads, "If you select 'Anyone can watch my games' then your broadcast will be visible on that game hub."

While this new Steam feature is brand new and has not been tested or reviewed extensively with regards to latency or delays, Steam is evidently maintaining its prestige as a front runner in the video game industry.