Valve has always been known for their creativity and ability to connect with their loyal fans. Now to further improve service to its customers, the company recently unveiled a "Steam Trading" feature that allows players to swap "in-game items for other in-game items from participating games" as well as Steam gifts between accounts.

Currently, only Team Fortress 2 items and Steam Gifts can be traded in the Steam Trading Beta. But Valve says they are already working "with other game developers to incorporate both Trading and Inventories" with Portal 2 having the same feature "soon" and several other third-party games in the next few months.

Steam gifts means "any game you’ve purchased from the store as a gift, or received as an Extra Copy, can be traded to other users," Valve reveals. "They can be used to trade for other Gifts, or for items in Team Fortress 2. Trading a Steam Gift is very similar to sending a gift to someone; just that once it is traded that user can then either trade it again, or open it for themselves. There are no restrictions on territory.

Valve clarified that Steam Trading doesn't mean you can sell used games on the service, "only games that have been bought as a gift, and thus have never been played, can be traded," it says. "Once the Steam Gift is opened and added to your game library, you won’t be able to trade it again." You can read more abou the Steam Trading Beta FAQS here.

Personally, I really like the idea, but it would be even better if you can trade your games to other people. Now if only the big three and other publishers can offer something similar like this.

Do you like this new Steam feature folks? What other improvements would you like to see included in Steam Trading? Share your thoughts below or continue the discussion at the forums.

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