How do I remove Spacewar from Steam?

To remove Spacewar: (1) Right-click Spacewar in your Steam library, (2) Select 'Manage' > 'Uninstall', (3) Confirm the uninstallation. If it reappears, check for cracked game launchers or scripts that may be re-adding it. You can also use the Steam console command 'app_uninstall 480' to remove it via command line.

Spacewar on Steam — What Is It, Why Is It in My Library, Is It Safe? (AppID 480)

Q: What is Spacewar on Steam?

Spacewar on Steam (AppID 480) is a free test/demo application created by Valve for Steamworks developers to test multiplayer, achievements, and other Steam SDK features. It is NOT the original 1962 PDP-1 Spacewar! game.

Q: Why is Spacewar in my Steam library?

Spacewar may appear in your Steam library if: (1) you or someone using your account added it via the Steam console command 'app_install 480', (2) you used a cracked/pirated game that uses Spacewar's AppID as a disguise, or (3) a family-shared account has it installed. It is not automatically added by Valve.

Q: Is Spacewar on Steam safe?

The official Valve Spacewar test application (AppID 480) itself is safe — it's signed by Valve and contains no malware. However, Spacewar is frequently used by game pirates to disguise cracked games. If you didn't intentionally install it, its presence may indicate pirated software was used on your account. Scan your system and check for unauthorized game installations.

⚠ TL;DR — Quick Summary

Steam's "Spacewar" (AppID 480) is a Valve test application for developers — NOT the 1962 MIT classic
It's safe by itself (Valve-signed), but its unexpected presence often means pirated/cracked games were used on your account
You can uninstall it like any other Steam game; if it keeps coming back, investigate cracked game launchers
To play the real 1962 Spacewar!, use a browser emulator instead

What Is Spacewar on Steam?

Spacewar on Steam is a free, lightweight test and demo application created by Valve Corporation. It has the AppID 480 and is included as part of the Steamworks SDK — the set of tools that game developers use to integrate their games with Steam features like multiplayer, achievements, leaderboards, and cloud saves.

The game itself is a simple 2D space shooter — a nod to the original 1962 Spacewar! concept, but with modern 2D sprite graphics rather than vector CRT rendering. It supports local and online multiplayer and serves as a working example for developers to learn how Steamworks features are implemented.

Property	Value
Name	Spacewar
AppID	480
Developer	Valve Corporation
Publisher	Valve Corporation
Release Date	Included with Steamworks SDK (not commercially released)
Cost	Free (but not listed in the Steam Store)
Genre	Action / Space Shooter (test demo)
Multiplayer	Yes (local + online, for testing Steam Matchmaking)
Store Page	None (hidden from public store)

💡 Important Distinction

Steam's "Spacewar" (AppID 480) is NOT the same as the historic Spacewar! from 1962. The original was created by Steve Russell and MIT students on a PDP-1 minicomputer. Valve's Spacewar is a modern test tool that borrows the name and basic concept. To play the actual 1962 game, see our Play Now page for browser emulators.

Why Is Spacewar in My Steam Library?

If you see "Spacewar" in your Steam library and you don't remember installing it, there are a few common explanations. Here they are, ordered from most to least likely:

💀 1. Pirated / Cracked Games

Most Common

This is the #1 reason Spacewar appears unexpectedly. Game pirates use Spacewar's AppID (480) as a "shell" to launch cracked games through Steam, bypassing DRM. Tools like CreamAPI, Goldberg Emulator, and various cracked game repacks configure games to use AppID 480, which causes Steam to show "Spacewar" as installed even though you're actually playing a different (pirated) game.

🔍 2. Steam Console Install

Possible

Spacewar can be installed manually via the Steam console. If you (or someone with access to your computer) opened the Steam console (steam://open/console) and typed app_install 480, Spacewar would be added to your library. This is sometimes done by developers testing Steamworks, or by curious users following online tutorials.

👥 3. Family Sharing

Less Common

If you use Steam Family Sharing, a game shared from another account's library might show up as Spacewar if that account has AppID 480 installed. This is relatively rare but worth checking if you share your library with family or friends.

🛠 4. Developer Tools

Rare

If you're a game developer or have installed the Steamworks SDK, Spacewar is included as a sample project. The SDK installer may add it to your Steam library automatically as part of the development setup.

How to Check Why It's There

Right-click Spacewar in your Steam library and select "Properties" > "Local Files" > "Browse" to see where the files are installed
Examine the install folder — if it contains files for a different game (not Spacewar), it's being used as a pirate shell
Check your Steam download history — Settings > Downloads > "View download history" to see when Spacewar was installed
Look for cracked game tools — search your computer for "cream_api.ini", "goldberg", "steam_api64.cdx", or other common pirating tools

Is Spacewar on Steam Safe?

The answer depends on which "Spacewar" you're asking about:

✅ Official Valve Spacewar (AppID 480)

Safe

The official Spacewar test application distributed through Steam is completely safe. It is:

Signed and verified by Valve Corporation
Distributed through Steam's secure download servers
Open-source as part of the Steamworks SDK
Free of malware, viruses, and spyware
Used by thousands of legitimate game developers

If you intentionally installed it to test Steamworks or play the demo, you have nothing to worry about.

⚠ "Spacewar" Used by Pirates

Potentially Risky

If Spacewar appeared in your library unexpectedly and you didn't install it, the situation is more concerning:

It likely indicates pirated/cracked games were played on your account
Cracked games often come bundled with malware, keyloggers, or miners
Using cracked games through Steam can lead to account bans (VAC or game bans)
Pirate tools may modify Steam files, causing instability or security vulnerabilities

Recommendation: Run a full antivirus/malware scan, remove any cracked games or pirate tools, and consider changing your Steam password if you suspect unauthorized activity.

🚨 Warning Signs of Malware

If you notice any of the following alongside the unexpected Spacewar installation, take immediate action: unexplained high CPU/GPU usage (possible crypto miner), unfamiliar programs in Task Manager, changed browser homepage/search engine, Steam asking you to log in repeatedly, or files appearing in the Spacewar install folder that don't belong to a simple space shooter. Run a full system scan with reputable antivirus software and remove any cracked games.

How to Remove Spacewar from Steam

Removing Spacewar from your Steam library is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Method 1: Standard Uninstall (Recommended)

Open your Steam Library
Find "Spacewar" in your game list (it may be under "Games" or you may need to enable "Tools" in the library filter)
Right-click on Spacewar
Select "Manage" > "Uninstall"
Click "Uninstall" in the confirmation dialog
Wait for Steam to remove the game files (usually takes a few seconds since it's small)

Method 2: Steam Console Command

If the standard uninstall doesn't work or Spacewar keeps reappearing, try the Steam console:

Open your web browser and go to steam://open/console (this opens the Steam console)
In the console, type: app_uninstall 480
Press Enter — Steam will uninstall Spacewar
You can verify it's gone by typing: app_info_print 480 (it should show as not installed)

Method 3: Remove from Library (Hide)

If Spacewar is a free app that you can't fully remove from your account (free apps sometimes stay in the "all games" list), you can hide it:

Right-click Spacewar in your library
Select "Manage" > "Hide this game"
It will no longer appear in your main library view (you can find it under "Hidden" in the library filter)

🔄 If It Keeps Reappearing

If Spacewar keeps coming back after uninstallation, it's almost certainly being re-added by cracked game launchers or pirate tools. To fix this permanently:

Uninstall all cracked/pirated games from your computer
Remove pirate tools (CreamAPI, Goldberg, SmartSteamEmu, etc.)
Delete any "steam_api64.dll" or "steam_api.ini" files from non-Steam game folders
Run a full malware scan
Then uninstall Spacewar one final time — it should stay gone

How to Install Spacewar Legitimately

If you're a developer who wants to test Steamworks features, or if you just want to try Valve's Spacewar demo, here's how to install it:

Open your web browser and navigate to steam://open/console
The Steam console will open (it's a hidden Steam feature)
Type the following command and press Enter: app_install 480
Steam will begin downloading Spacewar (it's very small — usually under 100MB)
Once downloaded, it will appear in your Steam library under "Spacewar"

Note: Spacewar is not available through the Steam Store — it's a hidden application only accessible via the console command or the Steamworks SDK. This is normal and intentional.

Steam Spacewar vs. the 1962 Original

Feature	Steam Spacewar (AppID 480)	Original Spacewar! (1962)
Developer	Valve Corporation	Steve Russell & MIT students
Year	~2004 (with Steamworks SDK)	1962
Platform	Windows / Mac / Linux (via Steam)	DEC PDP-1 minicomputer
Graphics	2D sprites, modern rendering	Vector graphics on CRT display
Purpose	Steamworks SDK test/demo application	Entertainment & technical demonstration
Gravity Physics	Simplified (no central star gravity well)	Realistic gravity from central star
Hyperspace	Not included	Yes (with explosion risk)
Multiplayer	Online + local (Steam Matchmaking)	Local only (2 players, 1 PDP-1)
Availability	Free via Steam console (AppID 480)	Public domain, run via emulators

Want to experience the real 1962 Spacewar! instead of Valve's test app?

Play the Original → Learn the Real History → More Questions? →