The gaming platform Steam has unveiled a new beta feature catering to gamers looking to save their in-game adventures. Dubbed the Game Recording function, it is designed to seamlessly record gameplay within its own client interface and is now up for trial runs in the beta space.
Upon recording, the gameplay footage is stored directly onto the hard drive of your choice. Users are given a myriad of options to tailor their recording experience, including decisions about video duration and data limits. Steam Deck users will be pleased to find that the tool is compatible with their device as well.
Get Started with Steam’s Game Recording in Beta
1. Open your Steam app.
2. Go to Settings > Interface > Beta Participation and enlist in the Beta. Both the Steam Families Beta and the general Steam Beta are available for selection.
3. Steam will promptly perform an update and prompt for a client restart.
4. Once part of the Steam Client Beta, head over to Steam Settings to find a new Game Recording tab on the sidebar menu.
5. Within this menu, adjust your recording settings to your liking. The feature is turned off by default. Opt for ‘record in background’ to start a default 120-minute recording when launching a game, or ‘record on demand’ with Ctrl + F11 to save specific moments.
Dive into additional settings provided by the Game Recording feature, tweaking the duration from the preset 120 minutes if needed.
You’re presented with video quality choices ranging from 1.5 Mbps all the way to 24 Mbps. A middle ground of 12 Mbps is recommended. Steam also gives an estimate of the file size for the settings you opt for, such as a 10 GB file for 120 minutes of recording at 12 Mbps. Additionally, GPU Hardware Encoding can be turned on for the task.
Manual Recording offers the freedom to set your hotkeys and choose between capturing all system audio or solely the game’s sound.
Watch Your Gameplay Replays Easily
Access your video replays anytime via the Steam Overlay by pressing Shift + Tab. In the ‘Recordings and Screenshots’ section, playback of your gameplay is straightforward, ideal for breaking down challenging gaming moments.
Streamlined Video Editing and Distribution
Steam’s integrated video editor allows for basic editing of your captures, like sound muting and marking specific moments with timeline indicators for achievements. Share your clips with ease, whether sending directly to a mobile device, generating shareable URLs, or keeping edited highlights.
The noted gaming platform Valve is already discussing enhancements to the Game Recording feature, such as more fine-tuned adjustments for individual games on the horizon.
Steam’s offering provides an intuitive approach for recording and disseminating gameplay, standing alongside alternatives like Nvidia Shadowplay and AMD ReLive. However, for live broadcasts or intricate video editing, content creators might still prefer Open Broadcaster Studio (OBS).
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