steam-backlog-helper/docs/product-brief.md

Product Brief

Name

The official app name is Steam Backlog Helper.

Use neutral technical identifiers where possible:

• Repository name: steam-backlog-helper
• Package ID: com.boris.backloghelper
• Internal slug: backlog-helper

Purpose

Build a cross-platform desktop app that helps a Steam user pick a game from a large backlog.

The app should reduce decision fatigue by combining Steam library data, public metadata, completion-time estimates, review signals, and a short set of user answers.

Target User

The initial user is a Steam user with a large library and many unplayed or lightly played games.

Secondary users may include:

• Players trying to finish owned games before buying more.
• Players who want recommendations based on time available.
• Players who want to rediscover forgotten purchases.
• Players who want a randomizer with more context than pure chance.

Core Problem

Steam libraries often contain many owned, unplayed, partially played, or forgotten games. Steam itself exposes library and playtime data, but it does not provide a focused workflow for choosing what to play next based on the user's current situation.

Product Principles

• Fast decision-making over exhaustive catalog management.
• Recommendations should be explainable.
• The user should answer only a short set of questions before receiving useful options.
• True random should remain available as a toggle.
• Local-first storage is required for the first version.
• Small app size matters more than fastest possible development.
• The app should support Steam launch links for selected games.

Initial Success Criteria

• The user can enter a Steam profile and Steam Web API key during setup.
• The app imports owned Steam games for public or API-accessible libraries.
• The app excludes demos, tools, soundtracks, and DLC by default while keeping free-to-play games.
• The app asks short recommendation questions covering time available, genre preference, completion preference, review-score tolerance, and randomness.
• The app presents a short dynamic list of games to play now.
• The app includes a slot-machine style picker animation.
• The app can open selected games through Steam app ID launch links.
• The app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Non-Goals For The First Version

• Replacing Steam as a launcher.
• Full library management.
• Manual metadata editing.
• Private-profile fallback imports.
• Installed-game detection.
• Recommendation history.
• Import/export.
• Mood tagging.
• Social recommendations.
• Multiplayer matchmaking.
• Full achievement tracking dashboards.
• Cloud account infrastructure.
• Mobile app support.