write a comment on their wall maybe?
u basically have the opt-in and opt-out on that function :)

Originally posted by AK87:

write a comment on their wall maybe?
u basically have the opt-in and opt-out on that function :)

Sending a PM is a basic function, and continually writing on someone elses wall will become an inconvenience and get cluttered really quickly.

no that would mean that the trolls on G-mod can send me annoying messages

Originally posted by snj04:

no that would mean that the trolls on G-mod can send me annoying messages

That's the whole point in the opt-in/opt-out idea. If you want to recieve messages from people who aren't your friend you can opt-in, if not opt-out.

It would be thousands of times worse if you could get messages from any steam user.
70 millions active accounts. Start counting trolls, spammers, phishers, beggers, haters, stalkers... all of them being able to message anyone.
Noise-to-signal ratio would be off the graphs for anyone using the feature.

Sure some sort of PM system could be nice, but any option that enables mass spamming is more of a problem than a solution (Even if it's a Opt-in feature)

Originally posted by Tito Shivan:

It would be thousands of times worse if you could get messages from any steam user.
70 millions active accounts. Start counting trolls, spammers, phishers, beggers, haters, stalkers... all of them being able to message anyone.
Noise-to-signal ratio would be off the graphs for anyone using the feature.

Sure some sort of PM system could be nice, but any option that enables mass spamming is more of a problem than a solution (Even if it's a Opt-in feature)

I don't think it would be that bad, I doubt the average Steam user would bombarded with messages, the big accounts (like YT commentators) would get alot of spam but the average account most likely wouldn't. And with a opt system anyone could pull out if the spamming for them was excessive. When I was on Xbox 360 and PS3 I would get maybe 1-2 spam messages a month. Maybe in future Steam could put this in a public beta and see how it goes and if people want it ot not.

Originally posted by GhostMotleyX:

I don't think it would be that bad, I doubt the average Steam user would bombarded with messages, the big accounts (like YT commentators) would get alot of spam but the average account most likely wouldn't. And with a opt system anyone could pull out if the spamming for them was excessive. When I was on Xbox 360 and PS3 I would get maybe 1-2 spam messages a month. Maybe in future Steam could put this in a public beta and see how it goes and if people want it ot not.

I disagree.
Every phisher could go on a spam spree, sending malicious links to everyone, constantly. (That in itself is quite of a threat) Phishing is already a big issue with all the restrictions they face in order to spread their links, this would just do their lifes easier.
Phishing also knows no target, they spam everyone and everything hoping someone eats the bait. Spam would be mainstream, as much as it's already.

Originally posted by Tito Shivan:

Originally posted by GhostMotleyX:

I don't think it would be that bad, I doubt the average Steam user would bombarded with messages, the big accounts (like YT commentators) would get alot of spam but the average account most likely wouldn't. And with a opt system anyone could pull out if the spamming for them was excessive. When I was on Xbox 360 and PS3 I would get maybe 1-2 spam messages a month. Maybe in future Steam could put this in a public beta and see how it goes and if people want it ot not.

I disagree.
Every phisher could go on a spam spree, sending malicious links to everyone, constantly. (That in itself is quite of a threat) Phishing is already a big issue with all the restrictions they face in order to spread their links, this would just do their lifes easier.
Phishing also knows no target, they spam everyone and everything hoping someone eats the bait. Spam would be mainstream, as much as it's already.

I see your point, but I still think that it would be good if they were to try it; maybe just for a day. So they can get an idea how much the feature would be used and how much usage would be for spam and what usage is legit.

Srlsy, why do some of you find the PM function so scary. Trolls and scams, such reasoning. There's a block function you know. I would love to have a little talk with some people after playing with them, like saying gg or telling them to do something different if they piss others off.

Originally posted by Steev:

Srlsy, why do some of you find the PM function so scary. Trolls and scams, such reasoning. There's a block function you know. [...]

Block function still doesn't deter the annoyance of dozens upon dozens of scam attempts : when adding friends was not so heavily restricted, people complained about dozens of friend requests per day, despite it being already present. Allow PMs, and this complaining will come back in full force as people franctically try to disable it due to the sheer annoyance in numbers.

You can use the "Recently Played" tab on your friend section (Steev > Friends on the client) to add people you recently played with if you wish to communicate with them.

Originally posted by Steev:

Srlsy, why do some of you find the PM function so scary. Trolls and scams, such reasoning. There's a block function you know. I would love to have a little talk with some people after playing with them, like saying gg or telling them to do something different if they piss others off.

Then post on their profile. If you can't, you probably wouldn't be able to pm them either.

Put it this. Way. if they wanted to hear from you. you'd be on their friend's list :)

Originally posted by GhostMotley:

I would like to see this happen, it's really annoying that you can only send a message to someone if they are on your friendslist. They could even make it a opt in / opt out thing. If people want to enable messages from non friends they can opt-in and if they don't just opt-out

I suggest You start an MMO. Any ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ MMO. Best one from perfect world.

After that, you may reconsider the idea, that any idiot can send you messages. I really love the goldspammers. They show how silly your idea is. The only thing that will happen afterward is, that people will BEG Valve, to stop this system and trash it immediatly.

Originally posted by Steev:

Srlsy, why do some of you find the PM function so scary. Trolls and scams, such reasoning. There's a block function you know. I would love to have a little talk with some people after playing with them, like saying gg or telling them to do something different if they piss others off.

You can already add those ppl as friend


From my part I have zero desire to have complete strangers messaging me.

There's already an opt-in system, and it's making your profile commentable by anyone.