Valve, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam, has recently introduced a new feature to its Steam client that allows users to record, edit, and share gameplay clips with ease. This new functionality aims to provide users with a convenient and accessible way to capture their gaming moments without the need for third-party tools.
The feature, currently in beta, allows users to record gameplay sessions of up to 120 minutes in length automatically or with a simple click of a hotkey. Users can customize settings such as bitrate and disk space limits to suit their preferences and machine capabilities. Valve says that a two-hour gameplay video at the 12Mbps default quality level will take up about 10GB of storage space.
One of the unique aspects of this new feature is its compatibility with the Steam Deck, allowing users to record gameplay on the go. The recording tool is compatible with most games, as long as it doesn’t conflict with Steam’s overlay, even non-Steam games. Privacy is also a priority, so the tool only captures the game window and allows users to control audio recording from external sources like voice chat.
In terms of performance impact, the feature utilizes the video encoding capabilities of NVIDIA and AMD GPUs to minimize any slowdowns during gameplay. There’s no mention of support for Intel graphics cards and AV1 encoding, though. The recorded footage is stored in a raw format for efficiency but can be easily exported as MP4 clips for sharing.
Speaking of sharing options, users can easily send videos across devices where Steam is installed, like Steam Deck, mobile devices using the QR codes or Steam app, temporary URL links, and Steam chat windows. In addition, Valve provides developer tools to help users navigate their recordings effectively.
To access this new feature, users can enter the Steam beta by going to Settings -> Interface -> Beta Participation and choosing the either Steam beta update or Steam Families beta. After the Steam client has been updated to the beta version, users can navigate to Settings -> Game Recording to choose their desired mode.
This new game recording, editing, and sharing capability within the Steam client is a welcome addition for gamers looking to capture and share their gaming experiences easier. No more third-party software needed.