Valve's new Game Recording capability is now available to all Steam gamers

Valve’s new Steam Game Recording, announced earlier this year, is now available for all Steam games and “runs in the background so you never miss a moment.” The feature can be accessed via a new button on the Steam Overlay.

Steam Game Recording offers several customization options, including choosing the duration and quality of recordings or opting for background recording that captures a set duration of gameplay and then deletes it unless the user saves it. Users can also manually start and stop recordings using hotkeys.

The recordings, stored in the cloud, can be viewed from any device the user is logged into. Users can also export recordings as MP4s, send them to another device, or share them via a QR code or temporary link that can be viewed on Steam.

In a blog post, Valve says Steam Game Recording is only available on Windows, with a macOS and Linux version in development. The feature also requires an NVIDIA or AMD GPU to record gameplay without taking a hit on performance. If a user’s PC doesn’t meet those requirements, their system’s CPU will be used instead, which could cause a noticeable impact on performance.

In addition to the standalone Steam Game Recording feature, Valve has introduced new tools for editing captured footage in the Steam client. Users can crop and trim the clips, add text or a timestamp, and more when taking screenshots or recording gameplay. Tools for painting and drawing on images and footage are also included.

The tools are available in the Steam library’s new “Recordings and Screenshots” section, where users can manage their screenshots and videos.

In games that support it, users can jump between events, like kills, and view a timeline that shows how long they spent in lobbies and menus. Valve says that “a variety of games” will support the feature.

Developers can implement support for the tools using a new Steamworks SDK and API. Valve says that the SDK will be released “soon,” but in the meantime, interested developers can apply to join a beta program.

Valve has been testing Steam Game Recording in beta since June. The new features are now live in the Steam client.