Protocol ID: RSG-RANDOMIZER-01
Codename: Random Steam Game Picker
Status: Operational
Maintainer: Kyle Givler
A fast random game picker for Steam libraries.
Built to answer the ancient question: “What should I play?”
Live instance: https://randomsteam.kgivler.com
Random Steam Game Picker is a small web utility that selects a random game from a public Steam library.
It is designed for people with too many games, too little decision-making energy, and a dangerous relationship with the "Choose Again" button.
Enter a SteamID or Vanity URL, let the system query your library, and receive one game from the backlog.
- Pick a random game from a Steam library
- Supports SteamID and Vanity URL lookup
- Fast responses using server-side caching
- Optionally block games from future picks in the browser
- Reset blocked games
- View basic game details and playtime
- Launch directly with
steam://run/{appId}on supported desktop systems
The system is built around a small .NET stack:
| Layer | Purpose | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | User input and result display | Blazor Interactive Auto |
| API | Game selection, validation, Steam access | ASP.NET Core |
| Steam Integration | Library and app data retrieval | Steam Web API / Store API |
| Cache | Reduce Steam API calls and improve response time | SQLite-backed distributed cache |
| Browser State | Remember local picker preferences | Cookies |
The application favors speed over spectacle. The goal is to get a usable answer quickly, not simulate a casino wheel for eight seconds.
- User enters a SteamID or Steam Vanity URL.
- The server validates the request.
- Steam library data is loaded from cache or retrieved from Steam.
- A random eligible game is selected.
- Game details are returned to the UI.
- The user either plays the game, chooses again, or blocks it from future local picks.
The main screen accepts a SteamID or Vanity URL and starts the selection process.
The result screen displays the selected game, playtime, description, and available actions.
Planned or considered modules:
- Sign in with Steam
- Permanent blocked games
- Favorites
- Game filters
- Picker history
- Export library to CSV
- Saved game lists
- Shared game lists
- Games from other services
- Manual game entries
- Admin dashboard
Some features may eventually become supporter or premium features.
- Steam library visibility depends on the user's Steam privacy settings.
- Browser-based blocked games are stored locally and may be lost if cookies are cleared.
steam://run/{appId}is mainly useful on desktop systems with Steam installed.- Steam API availability and response time can affect uncached requests.
This project is intentionally practical and cache-heavy.
The picker is built around the idea that a random game response should feel instant whenever possible. Steam API calls are cached server-side, and browser identity/preferences are kept lightweight.
Current major areas of interest:
- API hardening
- cache behavior
- Blazor render mode boundaries
- user features
- future authentication/persistence
Copyright © 2026 Kyle Givler
This project is licensed under the MIT License.
The author assumes no responsibility for lost time, increased backlog guilt, or the system selecting exactly the game you were secretly avoiding.