game recording Archives

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Windows 11 leak hints at a new UI designed for gaming handhelds

Microsoft is tailoring Windows 11 for the handheld gaming market by exploring a dedicated game mode for portable devices. The latest preview build includes references to a gaming-centric interface that allows users to select their preferred system layout at startup, featuring a fullscreen experience with customizable home apps and shortcuts. Users can activate this mode through OS settings, establishing it as the default interface. The build includes options like “Boot into the full screen experience at device startup” and “Choose your full screen experience,” resembling Steam’s Big Picture mode. These changes may also be integrated into a rumored Xbox handheld, potentially leading to a Windows 11 device rather than a standalone portable Xbox. The new features are linked to the existing Game Bar, which provides essential gaming functionalities. This shift towards a dedicated UI for handheld devices is seen as necessary, as Windows has historically prioritized keyboard and mouse interactions. The evolution could position Windows handhelds as a compelling option for gamers, especially in light of competition from Valve's SteamOS.

AppWizard

March 5, 2025

Steam users react ecstatically to update that lets them access their heaving game notes via the web, also it fixes Monster Hunter Wilds video recording

Valve has updated the Steam client to enhance the Game Notes feature, allowing users to access their notes via the web without needing to be part of the Steam beta. Notes created in both beta and non-beta versions are now visible in a new Notes section. The community response has been positive, with users expressing excitement on the r/Steam subreddit. However, there are suggestions for improvement, as the current interface is minimalistic and lacks options to create new notes directly from the web. Additionally, the update addresses issues related to game recording and video streaming in Monster Hunter Wilds, adds support for the 8BitDo Micro gamepad, and improves notification displays for in-progress achievements.

AppWizard

December 19, 2024

8 great games for your Steam Deck

The Steam Deck remains a popular portable gaming device in 2024, enhanced by Valve's software updates. Notable games include: - Balatro: A card-based roguelike where players create poker hands to earn chips and shop for new cards. - Dragon Age: The Veilguard: A fantasy RPG with dialogue trees and character-building options, requiring some graphics adjustments for optimal performance. - Hades II: An early access action roguelike that expands on its predecessor with new weapons and characters. - Metaphor: ReFantazio: A turn-based game from Atlus with a quick battle system, suitable for short sessions. - Neva: A visually stunning game focused on platforming puzzles and storytelling, enhanced on the Steam Deck OLED. - The Rise of the Golden Idol: A mystery game with 20 point-and-click puzzles involving investigation and clue-solving. - Stardew Valley’s 1.6 Update: Introduces new festivals, a new farm type, and additional content to the beloved farming simulation. - Thank Goodness You’re Here!: A whimsical game set in an English village, featuring humorous interactions and a short completion time.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Steam’s background recording feature is the new gold standard of game clipping

Steam's Game Recording feature allows players to capture high-quality video of the last few minutes of gameplay in the background. Since its beta launch, it has been used frequently due to its efficient file sizes, which are significantly smaller compared to recordings made with Nvidia Shadowplay. For example, a five-minute clip recorded with Shadowplay is 1.78GB, while Steam's equivalent maintains impressive visual fidelity with reduced storage needs. Steam's audio recording captures only the game's audio by default, avoiding background noise from other sources, which simplifies the sharing process. However, the exported clips may not match the quality of Shadowplay or OBS, and turning off background recording requires multiple clicks. The tool is limited to games launched through Steam, and some bugs persist despite updates. In comparison, Medal, another DVR app, offers similar features but has a less user-friendly interface and requires bulk deletions for space management. Steam's Game Recording provides quick MP4 generation and easy sharing on platforms like Discord, making it a preferred choice for quick clips. Users must enable the feature through Steam settings to use it.

Winsage

November 26, 2024

Valve’s latest Steam client update no longer support Windows 7 and Window 8 systems

As of November 2024, Valve has discontinued compatibility for the Steam PC client with Windows 7 and Windows 8, meaning users on these systems will no longer receive automatic updates. Official support for these operating systems ceased on January 1, 2024. While Steam may still function on these platforms, Valve cannot guarantee continued functionality without updates. This decision is influenced by the reliance on an embedded version of Google Chrome that is incompatible with older Windows versions and the need for OS features and security enhancements exclusive to Windows 10 and later. According to Valve's October 2024 Steam Hardware & Software Survey, 96.26% of PC gamers are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, with only 0.28% on Windows 7. Windows 7 and 8 users will miss out on new features like the Steam Game Recording capability. The move aligns with industry trends, as Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020 and Windows 8 in 2023, highlighting the security risks of outdated operating systems.

AppWizard

November 16, 2024

Half-Life 2 gets a major 20th Anniversary Update and bundles Lost Coast with episodes —the game is now free on Steam until November 18

Half-Life 2 celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a comprehensive update on Steam, introducing free content including elements from the Lost Coast expansion and Episodes One and Two until November 18. The Orange Box bundle, which includes these titles along with Portal and Team Fortress 2, is available for .99 until November 22. Most mod support for Half-Life 2 is now integrated into the main game, and standalone store pages for expansions have been delisted. The update features a complete visual overhaul, enhancing graphics to match Lost Coast's fidelity, and introduces a new High Quality mode for improved model rendering and shadow effects. User interface improvements include compatibility with modern controllers and three and a half hours of developer commentary added to Half-Life 2.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Valve introduces recording function to Steam

Valve has introduced a new game recording feature for Steam that allows players to record, replay, and create clips of their gameplay. This feature is compatible with both PC and Valve's Steam Deck. The key component is the Background Recording mode, which continuously captures gameplay and saves it to a hard drive, with users able to toggle it on or off. The Steam Timeline interface provides real-time updates during recording sessions, logging significant events like achievements and screenshots. The technology is designed to minimize impact on gaming performance, but users with Intel GPUs may face limitations as the feature does not support these graphics cards. The feature was initially launched in beta in June before its official rollout.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Steam’s new recording features allow deep integration with games

Steam has rolled out its game recording capabilities for PC and Steam Deck users, moving from beta to full availability. The features include automatic recording, manual clipping with customizable keyboard hotkeys, and easy access to replays through the Steam overlay. Users can export clips using QR codes for sharing. The recording functions are designed to minimize game performance impact by using the GPU for encoding. Steam allows per-game customization of auto-recording durations and capture quality, and provides an SDK and API for developers to trigger recordings based on in-game events. The recording features work with any game, including non-Steam titles added to the Steam library.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Steam Game Recording Is Now Live For All PC And Steam Deck Users

Valve has introduced Steam Game Recording for PC and Steam Deck players, allowing users to capture gameplay highlights, record extended sessions, and share achievements through the Steam overlay. The feature includes a customizable background-recording mode, a quick-replay function, and the ability to save recorded gameplay in MPEG-4 format. Users can drop markers during gameplay, and developers can create "timeline-enhanced" games that notify the Steam platform of significant events. The recording process is designed to minimize resource impact by utilizing Nvidia or AMD graphics cards. To enable Steam Game Recording, users must update Steam, access settings, and adjust preferences. The feature is compatible with any game that supports the Steam Overlay, though some older titles may not be supported.

AppWizard

November 6, 2024

Valve just single-handedly upgraded content creation for PC gamers – Steam’s Game Recording feature is now available to all

Steam's Game Recording feature has transitioned from beta to full availability, allowing players to automatically capture gameplay in supported titles. Users can enable 'Background Recording' to capture the last 120 minutes of gameplay or use 'On Demand Recording' to manually start and stop recording. The feature utilizes the video encoding capabilities of AMD and Nvidia GPUs, with CPU fallback for those without dedicated graphics cards, which may affect performance. Steam's Game Recording includes various bitrate settings and simplifies the recording process for PC gamers by eliminating the need for external software. Valve has not yet introduced streaming capabilities, but successful integration could enhance its position in the gaming industry.