Item: Steam Deck Can Now Lets You Download Games Over Local Networks
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Author: Low Boon Shen

Steam Deck Can Now Lets You Download Games Over Local Networks

Worried about Internet quotas? Steam’s new feature will make no dent to it.

Steam today has gained a new feature with the latest update announcement on its handheld Steam Deck console – it will now support local network game transfers, a feature that is now supported on any PC that runs Steam client on it. Aside from having zero impacts on data caps or internet connection speeds, the company says by transferring over LAN, one can expect speeds up to 100MB/s – which is much faster than most user’s home internet.

Hello! We've just shipped a Beta update to Steam and Steam Deck that includes a new feature: Local Network Game Transfers.

This allows Steam users to install games directly from one PC to another over a local network, without having to download and install from the internet. pic.twitter.com/bv9xThZCoS

— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) February 17, 2023

To set up, just enable the setting in the client – which it offers multiple options for inbound and outbound transfers ranging from completely off, to own devices, friends or open to anyone in the same network. The client will look for devices on the same network and initiates transfer once it founds a match; however, certain devices like Steam Deck can’t send files out – they will be limited to only inbound transfers, and same applies for PCs running Steam in Big Picture Mode. Only PC running in standard desktop mode will be able to send game files.

Additionally, Valve has made it clear that when local transfers occur, no user data is sent – only the game files required for functioning will be transferred. In the event that received files are incomplete, Steam will automatically connect to public download servers to fill in whatever is missing on local network transfers.

Source: Engadget | Steam Support

Pokdepinion: This reminded me of the Windows 10 Delivery Optimization feature – at least I won’t be annoyed by random network spikes this time.