How to get the pre-decompression files when downloading a game?

[fanin]

I am going to make backups on some BDs, DVDs and CDs of different games and I was wondering on how to get the compressed files that firstly get installed by steam then get decompressed and sent to their respective folders.

Similar in idea to any game on CD/DVD/BD that is in an .iso file, where all the secondary, outside of the game folder, files (i.e. profile files for Arma 3 being defaulted in "Documents") would automatically get installed there from the installation file(s).

I suppose the "Backup Game Files" thingy would help, tho I've read that it requires Steam and such, so I don't really know to be honest.

I apologize if I wasn't specific enough with my informational request, if you wish more explanation about what I wish, please request it.

Thank you for your time!!!

[rawWwRrr]

The files are compressed to save on bandwidth. They're not the same kind of compressed files that an install CD would have. You could recreate it on your own by just zipping up the games' local files on your PC.

[Yujah]

More specifically, the game-files are decompressed as they are downloaded -- if it hasn't changed recently in approximately 1M LZMA-compressed chunks -- meaning that there's no "pre-decompression" file as per request to be had on the user's side.

Yes, you'd use either Steam's own backup scheme or just "zip" up <steam library>\steamapps\common\<game> manually.

[fanin]

rawWwRrr původně napsal:

You could recreate it on your own by just zipping up the games' local files on your PC.

zipping up the games' local files would slightly compress the game files, but when uncompressed it will not automatically install a profile folder in "Documents" as Arma 3 does (at least I assume)
I wish to know a method that is stupid-proof so I could just get the files, put them on BDs/DVDs/CDs without a care, then when I wish to install the games back or something, I press on an automatic installation app and it auto installs my games, or something like that

[fanin]

Yujah původně napsal:

More specifically, the game-files are decompressed as they are downloaded -- if it hasn't changed recently in approximately 1M LZMA-compressed chunks -- meaning that there's no "pre-decompression" file as per request to be had on the user's side.

oh... understood... well that kinda sucks

[rawWwRrr]

fanin původně napsal:

rawWwRrr původně napsal:

You could recreate it on your own by just zipping up the games' local files on your PC.

zipping up the games' local files would slightly compress the game files, but when uncompressed it will not automatically install a profile folder in "Documents" as Arma 3 does (at least I assume)
I wish to know a method that is stupid-proof so I could just get the files, put them on BDs/DVDs/CDs without a care, then when I wish to install the games back or something, I press on an automatic installation app and it auto installs my games, or something like that

There are no installation files like you'd find on physical media. There's no install.bat or autorun.exe. The developer loads a depot on Steam with a layout of the files as they have designed an installed version of the game to be. Then when Steam is called on to transmit those files to an end user, it compresses the entire installation layout into manageable chunks. When your client receives those chunks, it simply decompresses them into an install folder within your library folder. Steam just mirrors the depot onto your computer.

So for you, if you're wanting to make backups, you would simply do the same. Yes, it's not going to be stupid-proof, as you say. It will require some knowledge of how Steam's library is maintained on your computer. It's not too difficult, though. Each library folder has a standard layout.

Say you used the default named library folder on drive D:

D:\SteamLibrary\

At the very least you will find a \steamapps\ folder. In that folder will be a number of appmanifest_*.acf files and a \common\ folder.

D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\

In the \common\ folder is where Steam stores the games in their own sub-folder. There are some exceptions for Valve's games as they typically shared resources and were installed into the same sub-folder, but any non-Valve game should have their own unique one.

Each game will have an accompanied appmanifest_*.acf file. Each of these are numbered by a game's appid.

We'll use DOOM (2016) as an example. It has its files stored at:

D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\DOOM\

It's appid is 379720 so there should also be a appmanifest_379720.acf file.

You would use Zip, or your compression tool of choice, to create a compressed archive of the \DOOM\ folder. With the appmanifest_379720.acf you have a few choices but you'd have to keep it with the archive somehow, either separately or within the archive.

Then when you restore the game files, you'd decompress the \DOOM\ folder back into a \common\ library folder, and place the appmanifest_379720.acf into that library's \steamapps\ folder. Then when you load up Steam it should see the game as installed. It might run the files through an integrity check and determine if any need replaced, or by then an update might have taken place and start to update the old archived files.

lol... I probably made it seem more complicated than it really is. It seems simple to me. But stupid-proof there isn't. You can use the Steam's backup feature as that would be more stupid-proof than what I outlined above, but I've seen too many users having problems with it. I'm much more confident with my own skills of backing up the game files that I'd rather do it more manually.

[Satoru]

When you make a backup of games it already compresses it. Use steams tools

[fanin]

rawWwRrr původně napsal:

lol... I probably made it seem more complicated than it really is. It seems simple to me. But stupid-proof there isn't. You can use the Steam's backup feature as that would be more stupid-proof than what I outlined above, but I've seen too many users having problems with it. I'm much more confident with my own skills of backing up the game files that I'd rather do it more manually.

well, you revealed to me that the appmanifest_xxxxxx.acf files have to be compressed with the game files as well

some last questions, to hopefully finish this situation:
-would I need steam to decompress the games that I backed up with steam?
-would either back up (steam or just putting it in a 7z) save my progress files or not? (I would like to play the games from the very beggining, if I'd ever need to access the archive BDs/DVDs/CDs, to make it more exciting)

[Cathulhu]

It will only back up the game files, not savegames, mods or other files not covered by the install.

[fanin]

Cathulhu původně napsal:

It will only back up the game files, not savegames, mods or other files not covered by the install.

so just the original game folder with the original files as approved by steam after a game file check, correct?

[Yujah]

... but those games that support Steam cloud-save (many) have backed up savegames and sometimes configuration to the Steam cloud, and will get them from there when reinstalling/ starting.

[Cathulhu]

Indeed, only the files Steam can actually verify as safe and non-corrupted based on the HASH values on record.

[fanin]

Cathulhu původně napsal:

Indeed, only the files Steam can actually verify as safe and non-corrupted based on the HASH values on record.

well, one could theoretically make a sha256 file and verify the files and stuff

[Cathulhu]

Then they could only verify the file in its current state and could not verify if it is harmless.

[fanin]

Cathulhu původně napsal:

Then they could only verify the file in its current state and could not verify if it is harmless.

well, firstly verify the files with steam, then, when confirmed, make a sha256 of the files, afterwards and confirm again with steam, then make a 2nd sha256 of the files and compare, if both are the same, then write the files on disc, afterwards make a 3rd sha256 of the files on the disc and compare them with the earlier sha256 and if the same, good, if not, welp, ggs, reburn the files
that is if you meant harmless as in not corrupted
if you meant harmless as in lack of spyware and stuff, well, that's something else that is out of the reach of steam for when you write the backup files on disk or something like that

[Cathulhu]

Verify with what? If the file is not on record, there is nothing to check against. Those files are then just not added in a backup.