Steam rolling out faster, smaller downloads

An all-new Steam content system client is bringing faster speeds and smaller patch sizes, along with new publishing tools that'll help Steam release more games.

Alice O'Connor

July 18, 2011 7:00 AM

An all-new Steam content system will bring faster speeds and smaller patch sizes for players, along new publishing tools that'll help Steam release more games, the digital store's proprietor Valve has announced. In true Valve fashion, it's also slipped in a cruel, casual tease, saying we can expect Dota 2 to be delivered by this new system "soon." The new content system uses plain old HTTP, like a regular web file download. This means those behind restrictive firewalls should have far less trouble downloading, and ISPs can cache files on their proxy servers--which many don't count towards their users' bandwidth allowance. Bandwidth will also be saved with a new approach to patching games. Rather than downloading a file all over again from scratch if it changes in a patch, as before, the client will only download the differences between the old and the new file. Anyone who's ever had to download a large game entirely from scratch with an awkward patch should be grateful for that one, as will those of us suffering tight ISP bandwidth caps. You also won't need to wait for a game to patch before you can play it, as the patch will download as you play then be applied once you stop.

DotA 2 artwork

Valve has more bandwidth to play with too, with more servers in more locations. Steam users will also finally, after years of requests, be able to schedule and prioritise downloads, and throttle bandwidth. To go along with the new content system, Valve's created new tools for developers and publishers. It says these "simplify the process of both publishing and updating a game on Steam," meaning "it takes the partner and us less time to ship each product, so we can ship more stuff to more users." Splendid. The new content system has yet to fully roll out, and presently is only used if you download HD videos from Steam. Valve says we can expect "more and more" Steam content to be delivered by the new system "over time," including the much-anticipated Dota 2 "soon." Just like that, they drop the D-word then casually move on as if it were nothing. Valve's sequel to the monumentally popular Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne mod DotA Allstars was announced in October 2010 but, a few details aside, little solid has been heard from it since. However, European games show Gamescom recently listed Valve as displaying a strategy game. Dota 2's all we know of that could fit the bill, so the grand unveiling could be coming at, or before, the show in August. Last we heard, DotA 2 was due to be released for PC and Mac some time this year. DotA Allstars' current developer, the mysterious 'IceFrog,' has joined Valve to work on it.

Alice O'Connor

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July 18, 2011 7:00 AM

Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Steam rolling out faster, smaller downloads.

An all-new Steam content system client is bringing faster speeds and smaller patch sizes, along with new publishing tools that'll help Steam release more games.
- Elsaispo
  
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  July 18, 2011 7:21 AM
  
  What i would really like from steam is a way to re-size the text in the steam client, especially the friends section and the chat.
  My pc is hooked up to my 52" hdtv and running it in 1920x1080 makes it hard sometimes to read what others are saying to me.
  I know you can re-size the text by editing some files but everytime theres an update you need to re-edit it.
  - MercFox1
    
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    July 18, 2011 7:27 AM
    
    There should be that TV-oriented interface here soon. If someone were to suggest that functionality on SteamPowered, I'm sure they would include it, considering that would be a big boost to usability on the TV.
- kaankasim
  
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  July 18, 2011 7:22 AM
  
  Finally, since steam's inception my bandwidth was fully utilized for the first time. I downloaded a trailer at 1 mB/s. Hopefully they will switch everything to the new system soon.
- soundcreepy
  
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  July 18, 2011 8:11 AM
  
  so no more 9 gb patches?!
- mastermike569
  
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  July 18, 2011 8:57 AM
  
  Vagina's will flap in a blaze of glory to this news. Flap away trusty friends, flap away.
- the archvile
  
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  July 18, 2011 8:58 AM
  
  Great, but I can't wait to see my ISP start packet shaping all HTTP traffic, and having proxy screwups on old cached files. Or better yet, get an email saying that all HTTP and HTTPS traffic has been firewalled and forbidden, and I should consider switching to Gopher.
  - ArcKnight
    
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    July 18, 2011 9:03 AM
    
    Nice to see you're keeping up the trend of never posting anything positive unless it's about Catherine.
- socom8271
  
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  July 18, 2011 10:15 AM
  
  Guess I can reinstall Witcher 2 now.
- james_austintx
  
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  July 18, 2011 10:20 AM
  
  Unless they offer BF3 i wont install.
  - g0nk
    
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    July 18, 2011 10:25 AM
    
    I don't thing they have a say in the matter. Thanks for trying though!
    - james_austintx
      
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      July 18, 2011 10:31 AM
      
      It was a joke I love Steam and can live without BF3.
      - MercFox1
        
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        July 18, 2011 10:33 AM
        
        poor g0nk :(
        
        g0nk
        
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        July 18, 2011 10:37 AM
        
        srsly, sometimes it's hard to tell. :(
- brokenjpg
  
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  July 18, 2011 10:27 AM
  
  Every time I see the words Valve, my heart rate increases, my pupils dilate, and my breath quickens hoping just hoping for some news on HL3/HL2E3. But alas, once again valves has shat on my dreams. Curses Gabe Newell!
- wytefang
  
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  July 18, 2011 10:28 AM
  
  About frikkin' time.
- abzorba
  
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  July 18, 2011 8:25 PM
  
  If only they would add the option to route voice output to a headset...