Steam recently launched its built-in gameplay capture software, and it looks like many people are ditching established alternatives like Nvidia’s ShadowPlay. We’ve compared the two and there’s a solid argument for switching to the new built-in Steam system.
Steam announced on November 6th that their Game Recording feature is now available to all users, after previously being available in beta. This new feature builds on existing recording tools like Nvidia ShadowPlay but offers a more convenient and seamless experience. It works with both Steam and non-Steam titles, as long as the game supports the overlay feature, and has received a highly positive response on Reddit, with some calling it the GOAT (greatest of all time) in built-in recording software.
What does the Steam Game Recording tool offer
The Steam Game Recording tool offers nearly all the essentials of a traditional recording tool, including push-button start and stop, screenshots, microphone recording, and more. But there are a few new additions as well, such as Background Recording, which runs in the background and captures gameplay without needing to press record. While this sounds potentially resource-intensive, Steam claims the tool is engineered for performance.
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One innovative feature unique to this tool is Event Markers, which automatically adds markers as key events occur, such as a player’s death, hero kill, or milestone, for easy navigation later. However, this only works with specific “Timeline-enhanced games” so far. Valve’s Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2 are heavily featured in the marketing in this regard. The Game Recording tool is also compatible with APUs and certified for the Steam Deck, though its performance impact is yet to be seen. Privacy is also a priority when using Steam’s tool.
Steam Game Recording vs Nvidia ShadowPlay
Since Nvidia ShadowPlay is one of the most common gameplay recording apps, it makes sense to compare it with Steam Game Recording. Both of these apps essentially have a similar approach to “easily and quickly recording those unexpected moments,” but there are key differences in the experience.
| Features | Steam Game Recording | Nvidia ShadowPlay |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple audio channel support | No (1-channel) | Yes (2-channels) |
| Built-in Timeline | Exclusive feature | No |
| Event Markers | Exclusive feature | No |
| Content sharing | Yes | No |
| Works with all games | Yes (but client overlay dependent) | Yes |
| Easily clip from long recordings | Yes | No |
| Video quality control | Yes (Very Good) | Yes (Limited) |
| Modify Resolution/Bitrate/FPS on export | Yes (Built-in converter) | No |
| SDK for developers | Yes (API to add game-specific events, state description, game modes) | No |
While there are some pretty big differences, the lack of multiple audio channels stands out as a major flaw. With a single channel, your voice recording and gameplay audio cannot be separated for editing. This is a big limitation that Steam needs to address in future updates if they want to attract more users, especially content creators.
As for performance, ShadowPlay takes the lead, as Game Recording is a little more demanding on the system, possibly due to its additional features. In a comparison video by SpookyFairy, Game Recording showed a 10 FPS drop in Elden Ring and Dragon Age: The Veilguard compared to ShadowPlay, which maintained higher frame rates. So, what’s the final verdict?
Is Steam Game Recording only for casual gameplay recording for now?
Over on Reddit, the Steam Game Recording tool has received a positive response, with users calling ShadowPlay “janky” or citing “audio issues” in comparison. However, this is just one side of the story, as some find Steam’s new app to be less performance-optimized and lacking a few essential features for now.
“The nvidia app was always so janky”; “input lag so bad when you enable the overlay, even on the desktop!”
“Shadow play still better and tanks less frames. for example, with game recording from steam i get 240-300fps and with shadowplay i get over 350”
We think the Steam Game Recording tool is a great addition, but it’s still in its early stages, and there are a few changes that need to be made. For now, the tool is more suited for loyal Steam users who want a casual gameplay recording experience to share with friends or save for later and don’t have to worry about performance issues.
