Support Playtime Tracking for Non-Steam Game

[SuitableFish]

I'm sure this has been suggested before but I figured I'd bring it to light nonetheless.

I love using Steam as a hub for my games. Unfortunately, many games are not available on Steam either due to exclusivity deals or expired licensing (in the case of older games). Luckily, I am able to add these games to Steam and customize their appearance so they fit in with the rest of my Steam collection. Although these entries lack many of Steam's features, most of these omissions are understandable. One such omission, however, stands out: playtime tracking.

Currently, Steam can recognize that you are playing a non-Steam game and will even tell your friends the name of said game. Unfortunately, Steam does not complete the seemingly simple task of tracking the time you've spent playing that game. What I am suggesting is for Steam to simply track this value and store it client-side. The numeral could even be manually adjusted so players could "transfer" their hours from other platforms or previous Steam installations.

This would encourage people to use Steam as a hub for all of their games. Thus, they would be more likely to buy on Steam when given the chance since that's where their collection is.

I hope this suggestion reaches someone who understands my grievance and take it to heart.

[Brian9824]

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Автор сообщения: brian9824

It's already implemented, just go here and buy games
https://store.steampowered.com/

Alright sure, let me buy Far Cry 6 on Steam
OH WAIT

Well start bugging the dev's to bring it over here so you can have the functionality. If its something you want its an incentive for the dev's to publish. Steam isn't going to give access to every feature they offer for games that aren't even sold on their store.

I mean they already give all those features to anyone who buys the game on a different store and activates in on steam despite them not getting a penny for the sale.....

[BloodShed]

What exactly is the reason you want Steam to track playtime for non-Steam games?

[not_again.exe]

Автор сообщения: BloodShed

What exactly is the reason you want Steam to track playtime for non-Steam games?

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

[Brian9824]

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Автор сообщения: BloodShed

What exactly is the reason you want Steam to track playtime for non-Steam games?

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

Not about not needing it, steam offers features for THEIR games. I mean do you walk into a restaurant and ask for free refills of Soda from your drink you bought from another restaurant for instance?

There is a reason its not offered, its an incentive and reward for those who sell their games on steam. You don't even have to BUY the game on steam to have access to it or pay steam a penny, but the game has to be at least sold on the steam store.....

[not_again.exe]

Автор сообщения: brian9824

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

Not about not needing it, steam offers features for THEIR games. I mean do you walk into a restaurant and ask for free refills of Soda from your drink you bought from another restaurant for instance?

There is a reason its not offered, its an incentive and reward for those who sell their games on steam. You don't even have to BUY the game on steam to have access to it or pay steam a penny, but the game has to be at least sold on the steam store.....

Fair point, understandable explenation.

[BloodShed]

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Автор сообщения: BloodShed

What exactly is the reason you want Steam to track playtime for non-Steam games?

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

My question was directed more at the people who necro'ed this thread who also wanted it.

For the OP (who made this thread two years ago and hasn't posted since).
Use Playnite
https://playnite.link/

[not_again.exe]

Автор сообщения: BloodShed

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

My question was directed more at the people who necro'ed this thread who also wanted it.

For the OP (who made this thread two years ago and hasn't posted since).
Use Playnite
https://playnite.link/

Agree, Playnite is quite nice, used to use it too.
... until it wiped the playtime of some games^^

[BloodShed]

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

... until it wiped the playtime of some games^^

Never had that happen.
You could always re-add them with the estimated playtimes or sync playtime from a supported platform like Steam.

[Judgmental Amaterasu]

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Автор сообщения: BloodShed

What exactly is the reason you want Steam to track playtime for non-Steam games?

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

Why do you think Steam would enable a STEAM FEATURE for NON STEAM products? The features exist for STEAM customers. If you don't like it go to a different platform.

[not_again.exe]

Автор сообщения: Big Bridge.mp4

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

Why do you think Steam would enable a STEAM FEATURE for NON STEAM products? The features exist for STEAM customers. If you don't like it go to a different platform.

Calm down, I already agreed on someone's opinion.

[Krabby]

Автор сообщения: Big Bridge.mp4

Автор сообщения: not_again.exe

Read the main post, OP Mad it pretty clear.

If you guy don't need the feature that's fine, but why do you bug those who simply wish for it?

Why do you think Steam would enable a STEAM FEATURE for NON STEAM products? The features exist for STEAM customers. If you don't like it go to a different platform.

I find this hilarious because Steam already lets you add tons of custom pictures to non-Steam games. Is all the fancy art Steam uses for their game pages not a STEAM FEATURE being used with NON STEAM products?

This is literally the same kind of thing, except it's a super basic time tracker, instead of just loading a image file.

[Brian9824]

Автор сообщения: Krabby

Автор сообщения: Big Bridge.mp4

Why do you think Steam would enable a STEAM FEATURE for NON STEAM products? The features exist for STEAM customers. If you don't like it go to a different platform.

I find this hilarious because Steam already lets you add tons of custom pictures to non-Steam games. Is all the fancy art Steam uses for their game pages not a STEAM FEATURE being used with NON STEAM products?

This is literally the same kind of thing, except it's a super basic time tracker, instead of just loading a image file.

One feature doesn't mean all features. Some of their features are held back for steam purchases, that is one of them. In all honesty they probably allow the custom pictures for it because as a non steam game it wouldn't have a picture at all.

[Jamie]

This Discussions REAKS of Entitlement

[Hostile_18]

I'd love this as well. Even just client side. It's my number one requested feature.

PS Anything Valve can do it keep people in its ecosystem is a win. If you went with the entitlement logic Steam would never allow None Steam games in the first place, or custom art work etc.

[Brian9824]

Автор сообщения: Hostile_18

I'd love this as well. Even just client side. It's my number one requested feature.

PS Anything Valve can do it keep people in its ecosystem is a win. If you went with the entitlement logic Steam would never allow None Steam games in the first place, or custom art work etc.

Just remember keeping people in its ecosystem is also balanced by getting people to buy its games. That's why they withhold some functionality as encouragement to get you to use their store and buy a copy from them vs someone else.

Having everyone in the steam ecosystem is pointless if they aren't buying your titles.