Steam With Game Download via LAN? Gamers Have Finally Been Heard

Downloading digital versions of games rightly brings to mind downloading files from a server, which can take a really long time if the connection is slow and the game is downloaded on several systems. Perhaps users will soon get an interesting alternative, that is, the ability to transfer games over a local area network, such as from a PC to Steam deck.

LAN with potential

The suggestion was shared on Twitter by Pavel Djundik - the developer of SteamDB. He spotted lines of code related to the LAN function in the Steamworks WebAPI interface, which, as the programmer claims, could be used by Valve in the future as the basis for a new local network file transfer option.

The use of LAN may not seem obvious, but for many gamers with slow Internet and several systems (e.g., a PC, a laptop and a Steam deck), it could prove to be a salvation. If, for example we would like to have the same game on two devices, but are limited by data transfer or slow connection, we could download the game to the laptop, then send it Steam Deck via the local network. Users have been suggesting such a solution to Valve for years, so it's possible that the company will finally listen.

Big Picture mode available on the PC

We also have official news. The announcement from Valve also said that PC users can already use the Big Picture interface in the version known from Steam Deck. The feature can be tested in the latest version of the Steam client beta. The option also enables controllers to be more easily configured, including assigning buttons and saving custom schemes.

The interface familiar to Steam Deck users on the PC. Source: Valve

The new user interface changes the old list of games in favor of large icons with game graphics. Navigating the new menu, however, requires some practice, as all the options are arranged differently - with their appearance reminiscent of systems from Sony or Microsoft consoles.

• Steam - official website