Steam has finally introduced a built-in system for recording and sharing gameplay footage directly through the Steam overlay. This new feature is currently in beta testing and is available to users who have opted into the Steam Beta client – Steam Deck will also have access.
One of the standout features of the new recording system is the ability to automatically identify and mark important moments in your recordings using Steam Timeline. This feature is currently only available for Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but game developers can integrate it into their titles using an API.
How to use the new Game Recording feature
Here’s how to enable the new recording feature in Steam:
- Open the Steam client and navigate to Settings.
- Click on the “Game Recording” tab.
- Choose between background recording or on-demand recording (initiated by pressing Ctrl+F11).
Background recording continuously saves your gameplay footage until it reaches a certain file size limit on your hard drive. On-demand recording allows you to start and stop recording manually, giving you more control over the captured footage. The recording quality can also be customized within the settings menu, with options ranging from 1.5 Mbps (low quality) to 24 Mbps (high quality). You can also choose to record only game audio or include your microphone audio as well.
Accessing clips
All recordings are saved to your default Steam library folder by default. Alternatively, you can access them directly through the new “Recordings & Screenshots” tab found under the “View” menu in the Steam client. Once you have recorded your gameplay footage, you can use the built-in editing tools to create clips and highlight reels. These clips can then be shared with friends and followers via a QR code.
Also available on the Steam Deck
The new Steam recording feature is also available on the Steam Deck, allowing you to capture your gameplay footage on the go. To try out the new recording features, you’ll need to opt into the Steam Beta program. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Steam client and navigate to Settings.
- Click on “Interface”.
- Select “Client Beta Participation”.
- Choose “Steam Beta Update” from the dropdown menu.
- Restart your Steam client.
The arrival of native gameplay recording on Steam Deck is a game-changer for the handheld console. Previously, capturing footage required external software or workarounds, hindering the ability to easily share clips and highlights. Now, Deck users can seamlessly record their on-the-go adventures with the familiar comfort of the Steam overlay. This helps content creation, lets players capture clutch moments, and builds a sense of community around Deck gameplay.
