Are you using a slow internet connection but own a Steam Deck? Installing the games on your handheld gaming console must be quite challenging, isn't it? Fortunately, Valve has a solution! You can now transfer the games through a local area network if you have them downloaded to your PC.
This doesn't just apply to moving Steam games from your deck and PC. It can also be useful for transferring games between PCs. The biggest question is, will it be faster than redownloading the games to your Steam Deck or other PCs? As you might have guessed, this tool will enable you to reduce internet traffic and get your games installed or updated faster. Well, essentially, it will depend on the speed and bandwidth of your internet.
A test conducted by PCGamer found that downloading the Elden Ring game from the PC to the Steam Deck was actually faster.
Hello! We've just shipped a Beta update to Steam and Steam Deck that includes a new feature: Local Network Game Transfers.
— Steam Deck (@OnDeck) February 17, 2023
This allows Steam users to install games directly from one PC to another over a local network, without having to download and install from the internet. pic.twitter.com/bv9xThZCoS
The local network and the game transfer tool were moving the files at approximately 25 MB/s in their case. On the other hand, their network was able to download the game from the Steam server at a speed of more than 35 MB/s.
Therefore, despite the new feature's greatness, not everyone might find it useful. However, the 25 MB/s transfer speed will probably be faster if you do not have a fast internet connection.
In addition, there are a few other limitations to this new feature. The Steam client must be idle for this to work. That is, you can't download or run any games while moving. Second, the game you want to move must be current. Lastly, the transfer can only be done on PCs that are running Steam desktop mode. Therefore, there are no deck-to-deck or deck-to-PC transfers.
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