Steam: More Control Over Update Downloads Due to Big Game Sizes

Steam has embarked on a significant journey by testing new settings for game updates within the Steam Client Beta. This move allows anyone to participate, ensuring that these enhancements will soon be available to all users. The improvements aim to provide granular control over when and what Steam downloads in terms of updates, responding to the ever-increasing file sizes of modern big-budget games.

Revolutionize Your Game Update Experience with Steam's New Settings

Understanding the Need for Enhanced Control

In regards to game updates, Valve emphasizes the importance of finding a balance. The automatic settings typically prioritize updates for recently played games and bundle those for less-played games for later download. This works well in most cases, but some users, especially those with metered connections or bandwidth caps, may want more control. For instance, imagine having a 200GB game like God of War: Ragnarok sitting on your PC, being updated for months while you keep playing other games. You might want updates for the latter to be downloaded instantly, but not for the former until you're ready to play again.

This new section added to the "Downloads" tab in the Steam client offers two main options. You can set the default to "let Steam decide when to update the game (based on factors like when you last played the game, bandwidth availability, etc.)" or wait to update until the game is launched. Additionally, you can set specific game overrides by selecting "Game Properties" on titles in your library, and these overrides will be visible in the "Downloads" section under "Manage Exceptions."

The significance of these settings becomes evident when considering the storage requirements of modern games. Take Stalker 2, which requires about 154GB of storage and has had multiple large patches since release. Some games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Black Myth: Wukong, and Horizon games all consume over 100GB. Even games like Ark: Survival Evolved, with a base install size of around 130GB, can expand to 300GB+ with expansions and DLC.

The Impact on Different Users

Users with fast and unmetered connections like myself are in a fortunate position. However, the use case for those with limited resources is undeniable. It allows them to manage their bandwidth more efficiently and only update games when they truly need to. For example, a casual gamer who plays a particular game once a week might not want to constantly download updates. With these new settings, they can have more control and only update when they are ready to play.

On the other hand, a dedicated gamer who plays the same game every night will appreciate the option to have updates downloaded as soon as they are available. This ensures that they are always playing the latest version of the game without any delays.

Valve's Approach and Future Plans

Valve signs off with a touch of humility, highlighting their "robust set of existing download options" and expressing their willingness to hear from users about additional settings they'd like to see. While there is no set timeline for when these beta features will be rolled out to non-beta users, it's clear that Steam is committed to providing the best possible experience for its users.

The company's focus on balancing user needs with efficient use of resources is evident in these new settings. As game file sizes continue to grow, having more control over updates becomes increasingly important. Steam's efforts in this area are a step in the right direction, ensuring that users can enjoy their games without being overwhelmed by large download sizes.

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