Steam Game Recording is officially out of beta, giving players the ability to record gameplay without a separate app.
Exciting news for Steam users! Valve has just released the official version of Steam’s built-in Game Recording feature, now out of beta and accessible to all players on PC, Mac, and Steam Deck. This new tool allows gamers to easily record and share video and audio highlights from their sessions—all from the comfort of their Steam client. With this update, players no longer need third-party tools to capture gaming moments, streamlining the process for both casual and hardcore gamers alike.
Steam’s Game Recording joins a list of established options that PC gamers have relied on, such as Xbox Game Bar, Nvidia GeForce Experience, and AMD’s Adrenalin software. But Valve’s approach is different; it aims to provide a more integrated recording experience tailored specifically for Steam’s vast community, making it easier than ever to share memorable moments.
Recording Made Easy for All Steam Players
The newly launched recording feature is available with an automatic update, allowing users to dive right in. Once updated, players can start recording their gameplay by pressing the hotkey (Ctrl + F11 by default) or set it to record automatically. Steam has included various customization options to suit different needs, including settings to adjust the recording quality, storage space, and duration limits. Whether you’re gaming on Steam Deck or your desktop setup, the feature provides seamless support across devices, with recording capabilities available for any game—even those not directly from Steam, as long as they support Steam Overlay.
New Features in the Full Release
Valve has also packed the full release with new features and improvements based on feedback from the beta period, which launched in June. Here’s what players can expect:
- Advanced Export Options
The export feature now allows greater customization when sharing or saving clips, giving players more control over file formats, quality, and compression. You can tweak these settings based on your device’s storage and playback requirements, ensuring high-quality clips without overwhelming your hard drive. - Game-Specific Settings
One of the standout additions is the ability to configure recording settings on a per-game basis. If certain games require different recording parameters, you can adjust these individually, ensuring that every game is captured with ideal settings. - Session View and Recordings Manager
Valve has added a brand-new Session View, which serves as a hub for all your gaming captures. Within Session View, the new “Recordings & Screenshots Manager” provides tools to sort, organize, and tag recordings and screenshots. Users can browse their clips with game-specific tags and data, simplifying the process of finding specific moments later. This streamlined interface aims to make file management intuitive and efficient, especially for those with a large media library.
Important System Requirements
In addition to launching Game Recording for all users, Valve’s latest Steam update marks the end of support for older operating systems. Steam will no longer support Windows 7, Windows 8, and macOS versions 10.13 and 10.14, a shift Valve announced earlier this year. While this may require some players to update their systems, the improved performance, security, and compatibility of Steam on more current OS versions will benefit most users.
How to Get Started with Steam Game Recording
Activating the new Game Recording feature is easy. Simply head to Steam’s settings, where you’ll find a dedicated Game Recording tab. Here, you can toggle recording on or off, assign a new hotkey, and adjust other settings like video quality and file storage limits. For those who prefer automated setups, options for auto-recording gameplay or even limiting recordings to certain in-game events are available. These user-friendly features ensure that players of all experience levels can start capturing gameplay with minimal setup.
Steam’s Game Recording feature is off by default, so take a moment to explore the options in Settings before your next gaming session. Once activated, you’re ready to capture gameplay highlights, funny moments, and epic achievements.
Why Steam’s Game Recording Matters
For gamers and content creators alike, this built-in recording feature represents a significant step forward in convenience and accessibility. No longer do you need to manage third-party software or navigate complex recording setups. Steam has integrated everything seamlessly, right within the client you already use, making it easier to focus on what matters: enjoying your games and sharing your experiences.
Whether you’re a casual player looking to capture your best moments or a content creator needing streamlined tools, Steam’s Game Recording is here to make it easy, efficient, and fun. Update your Steam client today, and start recording all your favorite gaming memories right from the source!
