Exciting New Steam Feature: Game Transfers Made Easy
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Chapter 1: Introduction to the New Feature
Steam has unveiled an intriguing feature in its latest beta that facilitates the transfer of games across devices without the need for re-downloading. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for gamers with slow internet connections or data caps.
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In the recent Steam beta, Valve has introduced a game transfer feature that allows PC gamers to move game installations from one PC to another or to a Steam Deck, all within the same local network. This means that instead of having to download the same game multiple times on various devices, users can simply download it once and then transfer it to others. This feature is currently available in the latest Steam Deck beta as well as the latest desktop beta client.
Valve initially announced this feature back in October 2022, and it has finally arrived. A typical scenario for utilizing this feature would be in homes with multiple PCs or Steam Decks connected to the same network. Once a game is installed on one machine, other devices can install or update it by directly transferring files from that initial PC.
Valve indicates that a modern PC can transfer game content at speeds of up to 100MB/sec. However, during this transfer process, the sending Steam client will experience increased disk and CPU activity, so it's advisable to refrain from running any intensive applications on that PC simultaneously.
For gamers who enjoy unlimited gigabit internet access, this update may not offer significant advantages. However, for those facing bandwidth restrictions, it could be a real game-changer, especially given the substantial storage space that modern PC games can occupy.
Additionally, if the PC facilitating the transfer is powered off, the feature can switch between local transfers and internet downloads.
Section 1.1: Transfer Mechanics Explained
According to Valve's FAQ, when a potential source PC is detected, the Steam client will request the Steam backend server to connect with that other PC's Steam client to initiate a game file transfer, assuming local network transfers are enabled.
If the transfer is accepted, the PC will attempt to download as much content as possible from the source. Should the connection be interrupted or if no more content is available, Steam will revert to using public servers to obtain the remaining files.
By default, transfers can only occur between systems that share the same Steam account. However, users can configure settings to allow transfers with friends on their Steam friends list or any other users. For instance, if a friend visits with their Steam Deck and wishes to download a game for joint play, you could expedite the process by transferring your 50-100 gigabytes of game files, depending on the capabilities of both machines.
Subsection 1.1.1: Limitations of the Feature
There are several limitations highlighted by Valve regarding this new feature. For instance, game content can only be transferred if the transferring Steam client is idle, meaning no active downloads or running games are occurring. Additionally, the game must be publicly available and playable by both Steam users while also being up-to-date on the transferring PC.
Only PCs operating in Steam desktop mode are capable of sending files; therefore, Steam Decks, PCs in Big Picture mode, and custom launchers cannot currently participate in local network transfers.
Section 1.2: Accessing the Feature
On the desktop version, users can locate this feature in the Downloads tab within the settings. Both systems involved in the transfer will display a blue banner in the downloads section to indicate that a transfer is underway.
If the "Stop transfer" button is clicked, Steam will seamlessly transition to downloading via the internet. However, once a local transfer is canceled, there does not appear to be a method to re-initiate it, even if the partial installation is deleted.
Chapter 2: Conclusion
In summary, it's encouraging to see Valve enhancing the Steam platform with features that prioritize convenience and user satisfaction. The ability to transfer game installations across devices on the same local network represents a significant advancement. It will be fascinating to observe how Valve continues to refine and expand this functionality in the future.
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