Steam Achievement Manager: What It Is and How to Use It

Steam is one of the world’s most widely used gaming platforms, offering users a centralized hub for buying, playing, and discussing games. One popular aspect of Steam is its achievement system, which provides players with in-game badges and milestones to mark their progress and skill. But sometimes, whether due to glitches or personal preference, users may want to manually manage these achievements. This is where Steam Achievement Manager (SAM) comes into play.

Steam Achievement Manager is a third-party tool that allows users to unlock, lock, or reset Steam achievements for any game they own. Developed by Rick Giardino (also known as gibbed), SAM has been around since at least 2008 and supports thousands of games across the platform.

What Is Steam Achievement Manager?

Steam Achievement Manager is a Windows-based software tool designed specifically for altering the achievement data linked to games on your Steam account. It interacts with your local achievement records and makes changes that sync with your Steam profile. SAM is often used by completionists, game testers, and developers who want to explore all a game has to offer without replaying every segment.

It’s important to note that while SAM is not officially endorsed or supported by Valve, it has not been known to directly result in bans or penalties when used responsibly. Still, users should exercise caution and be aware of potential risks, especially when using it with online or multiplayer-enabled games.

Key Features of Steam Achievement Manager

• Unlock Achievements: You can select specific achievements to unlock in any supported game.
• Reset Achievements: SAM allows you to reset already-unlocked achievements, giving you a chance to earn them again.
• User-Friendly Interface: Its minimalistic and intuitive layout makes it easy to use, even for beginners.
• Wide Compatibility: Supports thousands of Steam games, regularly updated to include newer titles.

How to Use Steam Achievement Manager

Using SAM is relatively straightforward, but it requires some basic awareness of how Steam stores game achievements. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Download the Tool: Go to a trusted website like GitHub and download the official SAM archive. Always scan the file for malware.
2. Extract the Archive: Use an extraction tool like WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract the files into a folder on your PC.
3. Run SAM.Picker.exe: This opens a window displaying all the Steam games installed on your system. If you’re looking for a specific game, you can use the search bar.
4. Select a Game: Click on the desired game, and a new window will open showing all its achievements.
5. Manage Achievements: Check or uncheck boxes next to achievements to unlock or reset them. Once satisfied, click the “Commit Changes” button to apply your edits.

Is Using SAM Safe and Allowed?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Technically, using SAM does not involve modifying game files or cheating in online multiplayer scenarios. Instead, it’s altering client-side achievement records.

However, Valve has not officially clarified their stance on SAM. It is best to use it on single-player games or offline games where achievements do not impact other players. Some anti-cheat systems may react differently, and using SAM on multiplayer-only titles could pose a risk to your account.

Best Practice: Only use SAM on games you own and avoid using it to manipulate global achievement statistics or competitive rankings.

Why Would You Use Steam Achievement Manager?

There are several legitimate reasons why someone might choose to use SAM:

• Bugged Achievements: Some game achievements may not unlock due to technical glitches.
• Testing Purposes: Developers or testers may need all achievements unlocked as part of QA processes.
• Replaying Challenges: Users may wish to reset their achievements for a personal challenge or second run-through.
• Accessibility: Players with certain disabilities may struggle to complete specific objectives and use SAM for equal opportunity gameplay.

Conclusion

While Steam Achievement Manager is a powerful and convenient tool, it requires responsible usage. It is not a game-hacking tool, but rather a utility that provides flexibility for managing how achievements appear on your profile. If used with awareness of its limitations and risks, SAM can be a valuable addition to any Steam user’s toolkit.

As with any third-party software, always ensure you’re downloading it from a reputable source, keep backups of your data, and understand the potential implications before proceeding.