What are Steam achievements and how do I earn them?

Steam achievements are virtual rewards given to players for completing specific tasks or reaching certain milestones in games on Valve's online gaming platform, Steam. They serve as a way to track and showcase player progress and accomplishments. To earn achievements, players need to meet the criteria set by the game developer, which could include objectives like finishing a level, defeating a boss, or collecting certain items. As players unlock achievements, they receive a notification and the achievements are displayed on their Steam profile. Some achievements may have additional benefits, such as unlocking in-game items or extra content. Achievements add an element of challenge, exploration, and satisfaction for Steam users, encouraging them to fully experience and engage with the games they play.