Start your game server today with Game Host Bros. Use code GHOSTCAP and get 10% off!
search

Steam Game Recording Beta [ShadowPlay and ReLive Alternative]

June 28, 2024
3 MIN READ
steam recording beta what you need

Valve has just introduced a game-changing feature for all gamers—literally! The new Steam game recording beta is here, and it’s designed to make capturing your best gaming moments easier than ever. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting, this new feature promises to simplify the process of recording gameplay, ensuring you never miss a highlight again.

How To Active Steam Game Recording Beta

By default, you will need to manually opt into the Steam Game Recording Beta.

  1. Open Steam and navigate to Settings.
  2. Go to the Interface section.
  3. Opt-in to Steam's beta update.
  4. Restart Steam to apply the changes.

Once updated, you'll notice a new Game Recording tab in your settings.

How To Use Steam Game Recording

To enable automatic recording, go to the new Game Recording tab in Steam's settings and toggle the feature on. This will allow Steam to capture your gameplay automatically. While the feature works with all Steam-based games, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is specially optimized by Valve for better recording quality.

Accessing Recordings

During gameplay, press Shift + Tab to open the Steam overlay. Here, you can view your recording timeline. After finishing your game session, you can access and manage your recordings via the Screenshot Manager.

Timeline Navigation

The timeline in the Steam overlay is color-coded to differentiate between in-game actions and menu navigation. You can use markers to jump to specific highlights such as round starts, significant kills, or bomb plants. Additionally, you can add custom markers during gameplay by pressing CTRL + F12 to mark memorable moments for easy navigation later.

How Is The Recording Quality

The default setting is High Preset, offering 1080p YouTube-quality recordings. For better clarity, especially in high-motion scenes, switch to the Highest Preset. Lower presets, like Low and Very Low, are not recommended due to a significant drop in quality.

By default, recordings are set to a 2-hour limit but can be extended up to 9999 minutes. For durability, consider using a traditional hard drive to avoid excessive wear on SSDs.

Will Steam Recording Lag Your Game?

Steam uses GPU hardware encoding by default, ensuring minimal impact on performance. This setting leverages your AMD or Nvidia graphics card’s capabilities. Avoid CPU encoding unless necessary, as it may significantly slow down your game. It should be no different to ShadowPlay or ReLive in terms of performance loss.

Steam Game Recording Minimum Requirements

The recording feature is designed to work on most modern PCs. Even low-end systems should handle basic recordings. The Steam Deck also supports recordings well, despite some performance issues in high-demand games like CS2.

Why Should You Use Steam Recording?

why use steam recording

Advanced Markers

The game recording beta automatically marks key moments such as kills, deaths, and bomb plants. This feature makes it easy to navigate and edit your gameplay highlights.

Efficient Storage Management

Steam provides efficient storage options, allowing you to manage recordings directly within the platform and choose where to store them, ensuring they don't take up excessive space.

Sharing Made Easy

Sharing your gameplay is simple with Steam. You can export clips as video files to upload to your favorite platforms or share directly with friends.

User-Friendly Interface

The interface is intuitive, making it easy for even new users to get started with game recording. The minimalistic design focuses on functionality, ensuring straightforward navigation and use.

Conclusion

Steam's new game recording beta is a fantastic addition for gamers of all levels. Its ease of use, coupled with automatic and manual recording features, ensures that capturing your gameplay has never been simpler. While the feature is still in beta and has room for improvement, it’s clear that Valve is committed to making game recording accessible for everyone.

Whether you're capturing epic plays to share with friends or just want to keep a personal archive of your gaming achievements, Steam's game recording beta is a tool worth trying. Update your Steam client, configure your settings, and dive into a seamless recording experience.

For more detailed insights and updates, keep an eye on GhostCap and our ongoing coverage of the latest gaming features and innovations.

EVER WANTED TO START YOUR OWN GAME SERVER?

When we started playing online games with our friends, we knew we needed a good game server. But finding one that delivered what gaming communities need was harder than we thought. That's why we decided to start our own game server network.
START YOUR SERVER NOW
© 2025 GhostCap®

All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

We may earn commission from companies if you purchase via our affiliate link. This helps us run GhostCap as a free resource for you. Please note that we are not asked to promote these products and do so on our own accord. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

All specifications are subject to change without notice.