Steam launches an integrated system to create and share game recordings

Steam has announced the launch of Game Recording, a new integrated system for creating and sharing recordings. Today there are different options to carry out this function, including software from graphics card manufacturers such as Nvidia and AMD, but Valve’s option has the advantage of being native to Steam, it works perfectly on Steam Deck, it has an SDK and API so that developers can easily integrate it into their games and presents a very interesting tool called Steam Timeline.

Steam Game Recording does everything you’d expect from it, from the basics of capturing gameplay highlights to capturing an entire campaign. Background recording mode saves the game continuously, without exceeding the specified duration and storage limits. There is also a manual recording mode. The tool offers editing options to easily trim clips, as well as the ability to share or publish the material. In addition, there is the alternative of sending recordings from Steam Deck to your PC or mobile.

One of the most appealing tools is the Steam Timeline, a timeline that appears when a recording is in progress. “Games that use Steam Timeline generate event markers when relevant events occur,” Valve explains. “Earning Steam achievements and taking screenshots also automatically create markers.” Developers can set markers to notify Steam of relevant events that appear on the timeline, and players can add markers as reference points for moments they want to revisit.

The Steam Timeline includes game mode indicators to differentiate when the player is playing, in the menu, or in the lobby. Playback controls move through the timeline and include a button to skip to highlights. Gameplay recording works with any game that supports the Steam overlay, but support for Steam Timeline event markers is up to the developer. Valve has already implemented it in Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2.

Valve adds that Steam game recording does not capture video from the desktop or other programs, and allows audio from other programs such as voice chat software to be included. It also points out that this function “has been designed to use the least possible amount of resources on your computer while you play.” In addition, it takes advantage of the features of Nvidia and AMD graphics cards “so that video recording practically does not affect performance.”