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Steam API

Javascript Node.js API Real-time Processing

Role

Lead Developer

Timeline

June 2025 — June 2025

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Dominos Stock Trader Dashboard
User ID's
User ID's
Redirect to Steam Store
Redirect to Steam Store
Display Tags
Display Tags

01. Problem: Decision Paralysis

In a group of busy friends, the "window of opportunity" to play together is often small. We found that a significant portion of our limited free time was being wasted on the same repetitive cycle:

The Manual Audit Asking "Does everyone have [Game X]?" and waiting for manual library checks.
Decision Paralysis Having too many choices and no easy way to filter for games that are actually multiplayer-compatible and owned by everyone present.

02. Solution: Quick Fix

A web-based comparison engine that automates the audit process by leveraging the Steam Web API:

Instant Comparison Fetch real-time library data for multiple Steam IDs simultaneously.
One-Click Launch Direct deep-links to launch games, moving from discussion to gameplay in seconds.

03. Key Technical Challenges

Challenge: Steam Privacy Settings

If a user hasn't explicitly set their "Game details" to Public, the GetOwnedGames call returns an empty result, even with a valid API key. Implemented a fall back to just inform the user that their profile is private.

Challenge: Interacting with the API

The API is massive but doesn't allow for super selective filtering so it was hard to optimise and limit the amount of requests being sent, ended up just having to brute force at times but ensuring that i was not breaching rate limit.

Technologies Used

  • API
  • Node.js (API Layer)
  • JSON
  • Javascript

What I Learned

"I mastered API integration by navigating Steam's data constraints and privacy hurdles. Additionally, I learned to apply set-theory logic to solve a real-world problem, transforming fragmented library data into a streamlined, actionable tool."