Allow Owned Games Backed Up Using Steam To Be Installed "OFFLINE"

[Ryzen_Mike]

Like the title says I feel we should be able to install games that have been registered to our account and backed up using the steam backup feature to install games in offline mode. I have over 500 games in my library. I bought a 14TB external HDD just to use as a backup for games so I don't waste my bandwith or data re-downloading games, having to wait for a 100GB game to finish downloading or for when I don't have internet. Maybe my internet goes down, maybe I go somewhere where I don't have access to the internet. Maybe I go somewhere where there is internet but I don't want to be rude and ask for permission to use the internet just to install a game that steam knows "I OWN". I'm very humble and don't enjoy relying on others when I'm more than capable of providing the means to my own needs.

I recently went camping at a friends cabin. I took my laptop and HDD with all my games. Tried installing my games and they would not install "OFFLINE". I had no reception on my phone so couldn't use my hotspot. I had to ask my friend to use there phone just so steam could go online and confirm what it already knew. WHY???? These games were also previously installed on that laptop but I uninstalled them to install other games. Again, WHY????

I sent a support ticket to steam about the issue, I'm in no way knocking the response from the customer service agent. I just feel he didn't entirely understand what I was saying and it also seems like they have never used this feature and don't quite understand it. This was his response.

"Hello,

Thank you for contacting the Steam Support team. We're sorry to hear there is a problem with the Steam backup feature.

If any of the files from the backup can be recovered when the files are moved into the steamapps folder, then Steam will change from "downloading" to "Discovering local content" and verify the files.

Unfortunately, the files cannot be verified while using Steam in offline mode and you'll need to have the games installed and updated before using them in offline mode.

We value feedback from the Steam community and I'm forwarding your comments on to the appropriate department. Additionally, if you wish to share an opinion, suggestion, or idea with the community as well, please visit the Suggestions/Ideas section of the Steam Discussion forums.

This forum is regularly read by Valve's development team.

If you have an unrelated issue please reply here and I'll be happy to help.

Steam Support"

I didn't include the rep's name because it's not important. If it's important to steam they will know who it was. Again I'm not knocking them I'm simply stating common sense logic. These are my issues with steam and it's support.

1. This is a common sense feature that should have been added since day 1 of enabling steam to backup games.

2. The steam rep doesn't seem familiar with the feature and being a customer service rep should not only be a "Steam Power User" but know the system inside and out as well as it's features to provide proper support.

3. The response about being able to recover damaged files / verify these files makes no sense.
When steam backs up a game it should do these things already and in this order:

1a. Verify the game files, if corrupt, damaged or missing obviously re-download the needed files.

2a. Backup game files and include the information needed to verify the files have been verified to be in good order and the game belongs to the account.


It's simple. The only logical reasons I can come up with as to why steam doesn't allow games to be installed from backups offline is Piracy or stupidity. As far as piracy there should be no concern, assuming I've logged into steam in "Online Mode" before and steam updated the library info on my C: Drive to match my online account library. Steam should know I own the game. If they did backups the way I suggested above they would even work on a fresh steam install with no internet connection because that info would be saved with the game.

Only other answer is stupidity. Maybe I missed something. I don't feel steam is stupid. I actually like and enjoy steam. I feel as a company they are extremely smart in business but have forgotten why steam started in the first place. To me it was a gaming company / platform for gamers by gamers. Now it seems they are lost and it's all about money. I like steam, its why I have over 500 games in my library, on my epic, GOG, Blizzard, Origin, etc I have 20 games or less because " I would rather use steam". I feel steam offers more, has less BS, and actually cares about their platform and not only maintains it but makes it better. The downside is they are usually "VERY SLOW" at doing it but it does happen eventually. To me the other companies are a joke and only focus on their market and selling games rather than the platform itself.


Before I go into details I want to say I'm not a "PIRATE". I used to be one in my younger years when I had less money. Every game on my account was purchased on steam, gamivo, eneba, kinguin, G2A, Humble Bundle, Fanatical, etc. And I have all the receipts on my accounts.

Over 10 years ago when I was a "Pirate" I found a way to in a sense "Pirate" steam games. This method still works to this day which I can't believe. You can't steal steam games but you can play games you don't own using steam in offline mode. You have to have the game files as well as certain steam files in order for this to work. I won't tell you how it works but I will say it makes the "Steam Share" look like a joke. I think that's what it's called, when a friend owns a game you don't and allows you to play it from there account but while you play it they can't play steam games.

Basically if a friend has a game you don't and want it, your friend could gather certain files in a certain order and structure and you could play that game using there account "OFFLINE" on your pc without it effecting there online account. Meaning they could still play there games. This is basically a way for users to share games, pirate games, etc. Whatever you want to call it. It can't add games to your account it's not a key generator. Its basically a way to make any steam game into "In a sense" a GOG game. Meaning anyone can play it "OFFLINE" as long as you have certain files.

I have to use this method to backup my games now just so I can play "MY GAMES THAT I OWN" when I'm offline and the games aren't installed. This is a joke!!!

I would be willing to show / tell steam what this method is so they could patch it, (if it even could be patched) if they would just add the offline feature to steams backup feature. Like I said I'm not a "PIRATE". I was. I have never used this method that I found to pirate, share, or steal steam games. If steam found these files they would be able to identify what account they were from and would ban them. I'm not losing 500+ games for something stupid like that. I found it on accident when I was a poor pirate trying to play a steam game I didn't own to keep my sanity.True story, at that time I only owned Quake 2, DOD, Counterstrike and Half-life. I was trying to play half life 2, honest truth. Not my fault if steam makes the best "Optimized" games :).

On another note steam music needs an update. I should be able to browse my music by artist instead of albums. Who the hell remembers every album name when they have over 100+ artist they listen to and hundreds of albums. WTF??

[Start_Running]

Wow. So you basically wrote an entire text wall to sayu you want tio be able to install a backup while bypassing any ownership checks hmm?


You're bright enough to figure out why thats not likely to be a thing. Especially since you mention it a few times yourself.