Track playtime locally for non-Steam games

[Hiroki Etsuko]

Please, an option to track and edit playtime to non-Steam games (just locally) would be really nice.
I like to use Steam as a hub for games, so seeing playtime for games really helps keep tracking of everything and organize what to play next. But non-Steam games don't have playtime. Being able to track/edit it locally would really help, since some games aren't available though Steam (and probably never will).

Also, an way to backup a file that contains the playtime, game names, and installed folder data for non-Steam games. In the case you need to reinstall Steam or your OS for some reason.

This was already suggested here:
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/10/2924479876979556312/

Originally posted by 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. :winter2019happyyul:

[B l u e b e r r y P o p t a r t]

This is not a beta feedback thread, should have been posted in the suggestions and ideas forum, and most of us doubt it'll be a thing, why would Valve track hours of games not on Steam, sure I'd be for it like Xfire and Raptr back in the day but it'd be a lot of work for almost no reason.

[Hiroki Etsuko]

Originally posted by B l u e b e r r y P o p t a r t:

why would Valve track hours of games not on Steam, sure I'd be for it like Xfire and Raptr back in the day but it'd be a lot of work for almost no reason.

Steam can track playtime for their games, so its obviously is capable of doing the same for non-Steam games (which wouldn't be hard to implement for such a big company like Valve. And would be nice to Steam Deck users too). I see no reason to don't track playtime just to the user and how this would be hard to implement, it's already basically there.

[B l u e b e r r y P o p t a r t]

Those games are in their database, you'd have to add in "every" other game and change how it sees those games being non-Steam games and how they'd calculate differently from the ones on Steam (if they don't mess it up).

As I said, I wouldn't be against the idea as I used those other programs back in the day before Steam did all this, but again it'd be a lot of work for not much if anything at all.

[Hiroki Etsuko]

Originally posted by B l u e b e r r y P o p t a r t:

Those games are in their database, you'd have to add in "every" other game and change how it sees those games being non-Steam games and how they'd calculate differently from the ones on Steam (if they don't mess it up).

As I said, I wouldn't be against the idea as I used those other programs back in the day before Steam did all this, but again it'd be a lot of work for not much if anything at all.

You don't seem to understand what you are talking about.
Playnite (which is open-source) and GOG Galaxy have these features. I use it, but Steam having it would be way more convenient.
Non-steam games don't show up on your profile. They don't affect your profile. It's a feature that can easily be implemented.

It's not a lot of work. Again: it's basically there. The user would only see the playtime locally.

[76561198986932637]

Use GOG. They have implemented superior instances over to their platform than steam for non-platform games.

[eram]

you dont need to track non steam games on steam

[Hiroki Etsuko]

Originally posted by SnowBlade:

Use GOG. They have implemented superior instances over to their platform than steam for non-platform games.

Thanks, but I'm already using it! But would be nice to have this on Steam, since GOG is my secondary launcher and it's way easier to organize my library on Steam.

[HikariLight]

For Steam to keep permanent track of playtime, the game needs to have the appropriate steamworks files for Steam to latch onto to track all of your play time.
Without those files, Steam cannot keep track of your playtime beyond your current play session.

[Teddybehrr]

Originally posted by eram:

you dont need to track non steam games on steam

If you’re using Steam Deck, then yes. Having Steam track my playtime across all my titles would be lovely for gaming mode. Where I show off my games and hours and achievements etc. I’m not saying they have to go all out just tell me how long I’ve spent inside the application

[eram]

Originally posted by ReineRaizel:

Originally posted by eram:

you dont need to track non steam games on steam

If you’re using Steam Deck, then yes. Having Steam track my playtime across all my titles would be lovely for gaming mode. Where I show off my games and hours and achievements etc. I’m not saying they have to go all out just tell me how long I’ve spent inside the application

it already tracks steam games on steam deck

[J0hn Bebzone]

Originally posted by Hiroki Etsuko:

Originally posted by B l u e b e r r y P o p t a r t:

why would Valve track hours of games not on Steam, sure I'd be for it like Xfire and Raptr back in the day but it'd be a lot of work for almost no reason.

Steam can track playtime for their games, so its obviously is capable of doing the same for non-Steam games (which wouldn't be hard to implement for such a big company like Valve. And would be nice to Steam Deck users too). I see no reason to don't track playtime just to the user and how this would be hard to implement, it's already basically there.

So steam can track time for non steam games to but only when this game is in their store and u buy if via this stor so is surely capable to make that feature to all of the library and it should work when u start a game via steam

[NotZachPlaysAN]

Originally posted by eram:

Originally posted by ReineRaizel:

If you’re using Steam Deck, then yes. Having Steam track my playtime across all my titles would be lovely for gaming mode. Where I show off my games and hours and achievements etc. I’m not saying they have to go all out just tell me how long I’ve spent inside the application

it already tracks steam games on steam deck

people use more then steam games on steamdeck (like emulators and games from other sites)

[Doraver]

I would love to see this feature. Although it's been so many years of people asking for this so my guess is that it won't happen...

[Belva Company]

I'm afraid it won't become a feature.

[PieceKeeper]

When you go into the Steam overlay you see it track your current session at the top left.....it's already basically doing it for every session.