How to increase your Steam level and earn collectible cards

If you've spent any time playing on Valve's Steam platform, you may have noticed that your profile displays a digital level. It is indicated in the upper right corner of the page, surrounded by a colored ring. But what does this number mean? If we want to be real for a moment: Absolutely nothing.

Most are content to use Steam only for digital game distribution. But if you've ever been curious about Steam's leveling system and perhaps wish to raise this mysterious and illustrious figure, we're here to help!

Your Steam level is a digital representation of your willingness to interact with the functionality of Steam. This level includes purchasing games, attending seasonal events, and using Steam's trading card system. All activities will earn you experience points, which in turn will increase your Steam profile level.

Here are some tips on how to increase your Steam profile level and the benefits of doing so:

Increase in maximum friend list

By default, you can add up to 250 friends to your Steam friends list. For each level of Steam you gain, this limit increases by five. There is no maximum for this extension of your friends list. If you continue to earn Steam levels, you will continue to increase your Friends List limit.

Earn additional slots for Steam storefronts

Every ten levels you earn opens up an additional showcase slot in your profile. The storefront displays near the top of your profile and allows you to mark milestones that you are particularly proud of or that best represent your interests. This could include showing how many games are in your library (great if you like to show off your large collection!), Your favorite game or games, or showcasing the accomplishments you're most proud of.

Unlocking new storefront slots will allow you to add an additional type and will not affect the number of visible slots in each storefront.

There are a total of 16 display cases to choose from, and you can display and order them as you like. Some will only be available if you have met specific criteria. For example, you cannot submit your Steam Workshop submissions if you have never submitted any.

Increased risk of booster pack drop

Every time you gain ten levels, your chances of receiving a boost for a game will be doubled. Starting with a 20% increase at level 10. You will be eligible to receive a game booster, containing three random cards from this game's series, once you have already won all possible cards. Boosters are awarded randomly to an eligible user each time a member of the Steam community creates a badge. You will need to log into Steam weekly to remain eligible.

Bragging rights and reputation

While it's not exactly a benefit of leveling up your Steam profile, it can be concluded that having a higher Steam profile will increase your reputation. This can come in handy when trading items with other community members as they are more likely to trust a higher Steam level user.

You can also see the system looking like those who want to achieve the highest GamerScore on Xbox Live or the most Platinum Trophies on PSN. For the curious, the current highest vapor level at the time of writing is 4658 per user. St4ck, second out of 700 and third out of nearly 1700!

How to increase your Steam profile level

Now that you've learned all the perks of increasing your Steam profile level, let's see how you go about doing it. Your profile will increase as you gain experience. Quite simple! From Steam to levels 1-10, each level requires 100 XP. Every ten levels, the experience required to level up will increase by 100 (so after level 10 you will need 200XP, after 20, 300XP, etc.).

How to earn experience in the Steam profile

Experience is gained by crafting badges, which requires you to collect and complete sets of Steam Trading Cards from games. Not all games of Steam feature collectible cards, but you can check which ones here. All Steam Trading Cards are part of a set of their respective games. Sets may require four to 15 cards, with most sets containing five to eight cards.

You can browse all the collectible cards available and find many res