Steam has begun testing new settings for game updates in the Steam Client Beta, which anyone can opt into, meaning they’ll soon be added to Steam for everyone. The improvements essentially give you more granular control over when and what Steam downloads in terms of updates, and it seems to be a response to the ballooning filesizes of contemporary big-budget games.
In an era where video game file sizes are ballooning to previously unimaginable proportions, Steam has introduced a new feature in its beta client aimed at giving users more control over the update process. This move is largely in response to the trend of big-budget games requiring downloads upwards of 100GB for updates alone, a practice that has become all too common with major releases.
The Problem of Gigantic Game Updates:
The video game industry has seen a significant increase in the size of games over the last decade. Titles like “Stalker 2”, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle”, and “Black Myth: Wukong” have set new benchmarks for storage demands, often exceeding 100GB. This size inflation isn’t just for initial installations but also extends to updates, which can sometimes nearly match the size of the base game. For instance, “Baldur’s Gate 3” and “Rainbow Six Siege” have seen updates that require substantial amounts of storage space, often necessitating users to re-download large portions of the game or even the entire game itself.

Steam’s Solution:
Recognizing the burden this places on users, especially those with limited bandwidth or storage space, Valve has rolled out new settings in the Steam Client Beta. These settings allow users to decide when games update, with options ranging from automatic updates based on last played to manual updates triggered only when launching the game. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for those on metered connections or with monthly bandwidth limits, as it prevents the automatic download of massive updates for games not currently in use.
- Default Settings: Users can choose to let Steam decide when to update based on various factors, including recent play history and available bandwidth.
- Game-Specific Overrides: For those who want even more control, individual game settings can be adjusted in the “Game Properties” section, with these customizations visible under “Manage Exceptions” in the download settings.


User Reaction and Impact:
The feedback from the community has been largely positive, particularly among gamers who have to manage their storage and bandwidth more meticulously. Posts on X have highlighted the usefulness of this feature, especially for those with large libraries of games but limited current playtime on some titles. The ability to delay updates until necessary can significantly ease the strain on both storage and internet usage.
However, there’s a caveat. While this feature provides more control, it doesn’t address the underlying issue of why games and their updates are growing so large. Some argue that this should be a wake-up call for developers to optimize their games better, reducing unnecessary bloat and ensuring updates are more targeted rather than wholesale re-downloads.
Conclusion:
Steam’s new update control features are a step in the right direction for user convenience, addressing a growing concern in the gaming community about the management of digital content. Yet, it’s also a reminder of the broader challenges in game development regarding efficiency and user experience. As games continue to evolve and grow, both developers and platforms like Steam will need to continue innovating to keep pace with consumer demands and technological constraints.
This feature is currently in beta, but if the response is anything to go by, it’s likely to become a permanent fixture in Steam’s user-oriented approach to game management.
Source:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/4696782040345941642