I have a question. Can I backup my steam games? What I mean is, What if steam went away or if my account was closed for whatever reason. How would I backup the games so that I can keep them forever? With D2D some games can be burned to CD and then the serial can be used, but what about games without serials? ANy Ideas? Thanks
Can I backup my games?
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You do not need steam to be online to use your games .
Many options to backup,the most obvious one is using the built in steam backup/restore utility.
Or you can just copy paste the individual game folders or the whole of the steamapps/common folder to usb etc.
I personall have a complete backup of my entire games folder on usb drive.
The idea bove regarding torrenting is the worst possible thing you could do.
Please be aware that even if you legally own a copy of your game you CAN NOT legally torrent a copy for backup due to the fact that when you download you upload as well.
If you upload then you can be held responisble for illegal file sharing,i suggest the guy who mentioned that above doesnt advise that again.
Even if you did torrent them and burnt to a CD im not actually sure that steams folders and updates are compatible with retail CD versions,i think there is a little difference with DIgital downloads,correct me if im wrong.
Basically you can just drag the content where you want and then when reinstalling into steam the steam cleint will check all files are complete and redownload any missing/corrupt files.
Also serials for all steam games can be found in steam client on games page to the right.
Many options to backup,the most obvious one is using the built in steam backup/restore utility.
Or you can just copy paste the individual game folders or the whole of the steamapps/common folder to usb etc.
I personall have a complete backup of my entire games folder on usb drive.
The idea bove regarding torrenting is the worst possible thing you could do.
Please be aware that even if you legally own a copy of your game you CAN NOT legally torrent a copy for backup due to the fact that when you download you upload as well.
If you upload then you can be held responisble for illegal file sharing,i suggest the guy who mentioned that above doesnt advise that again.
Even if you did torrent them and burnt to a CD im not actually sure that steams folders and updates are compatible with retail CD versions,i think there is a little difference with DIgital downloads,correct me if im wrong.
Basically you can just drag the content where you want and then when reinstalling into steam the steam cleint will check all files are complete and redownload any missing/corrupt files.
Also serials for all steam games can be found in steam client on games page to the right.
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You can backup all games from steam. Just right click on the game and select backup. then save it to dvd or HD. You can get serial numbers from the right clicking the game as well.
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LOL. You serious dude? If you were so worried about "uploading" them, then just turn your upload to 0. So nothing gets uploaded and it's just download.
Get out of here with that whole BS of "it's illegal". I download Windows/Linux ISO's all the time because I'd rather have a digital ISO rather some CD taking up space. You OWN a CD key, it's not like I'm asking him to download and pirate the damn game.
Pfft.
Get out of here with that whole BS of "it's illegal". I download Windows/Linux ISO's all the time because I'd rather have a digital ISO rather some CD taking up space. You OWN a CD key, it's not like I'm asking him to download and pirate the damn game.
Pfft.
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But I think the OP's main concern is based on "what if" Steam was to go under and to compound things, the games in the library were corrupted/lost. How would the user re-acquire the games in his/her library? I have about 700gb of backed up Steam games via Steam back up client. The back up client requires connection to Steam servers in order to re-install or it won't proceed. Also, many of the games don't have keys available. I know Homefront, Crysis Wars, Lara Croft G.O.L, DOW Retribution, just to name a few are not accessible.
I think your recommendation of dragging files would be best in regards to his concern.
Great info,
But I think the OP's main concern is based on "what if" Steam was to go under and to compound things, the games in the library were corrupted/lost. How would the user re-acquire the games in his/her library? I have about 700gb of backed up Steam games via Steam back up client. The back up client requires connection to Steam servers in order to re-install or it won't proceed. Also, many of the games don't have keys available. I know Homefront, Crysis Wars, Lara Croft G.O.L, DOW Retribution, just to name a few are not accessible.
I think your recommendation of dragging files would be best in regards to his concern.
Thanks for the info. From what I can tell is that if Steam were to go under I would have no choice but to pirate the games or be out all the money I spent. Unless Valve does some kind of patch that lets you DL all your games and play without steam being online. Also the games that do have serials are eay to find, they say CD KEY in the game page, unfortunately, most of my games do not have that. I guess I can just download them and look for steam DRM cracks, not the best case solution. The CD key sale sites are looking better and better every day. At least if we could have proof of ownership with each game. Only 8 of my 50+ games on steam have CD keys. I guess technically I only own the games while Steam is alive and well. I hope Valve lives forever.
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Linux is free,its fine.
Setting your upload to 0 wont work buddy.
You can not torrent a game just because you own a copy,like i pointed out to you,its the uploading that gets you in hot water.
Even with upload set to 0 you will technically still upload a tiny amount and its enough to get you in bother legally.
If you have paid for your copy thats great...but what about the others seeding and leeching on the torrent? have they all paid? doubt it.
You need to read up a bit on fileshare brother
![cheers.gif]()
You clearly have lots to learn.
Linux is free,its fine.
Setting your upload to 0 wont work buddy.
You can not torrent a game just because you own a copy,like i pointed out to you,its the uploading that gets you in hot water.
Even with upload set to 0 you will technically still upload a tiny amount and its enough to get you in bother legally.
If you have paid for your copy thats great...but what about the others seeding and leeching on the torrent? have they all paid? doubt it.
You need to read up a bit on fileshare brother
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But with all do honesty, the intention of administered gaming licenses is to allow the purchaser to use the product under possession or the life of availability....but never for life. SO, if Steam becomes unavailable in my lifetime, then I'm certain I'll just be SOL. And quite frankly, by that time....I don't think I'd care cause my interest in my current games won't last forever.
I personally don't think you have anything to fear...........if anything, it's more logical to have fear of losing internet connection (by means of natural occurrences or financial) and losing your files at the same time with no way of retrieving them.
But with all do honesty, the intention of administered gaming licenses is to allow the purchaser to use the product under possession or the life of availability....but never for life. SO, if Steam becomes unavailable in my lifetime, then I'm certain I'll just be SOL. And quite frankly, by that time....I don't think I'd care cause my interest in my current games won't last forever.
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224 Posts
Pfffft.
With all due respect, you (we) have other things to worry about than what if Steam goes out of business.
Get your CD serial numbers and you'll be fine!
With all due respect, you (we) have other things to worry about than what if Steam goes out of business.
Get your CD serial numbers and you'll be fine!
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But if i worried about other things I wouldn't exactly be playing games would I? Im sure everyone on this site has better things to do then talk about computers and related things, but we do anyway.
Originally Posted by myEZweb_net  Pfffft. With all due respect, you (we) have other things to worry about than what if Steam goes out of business. Get your CD serial numbers and you'll be fine! |
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Dude you got me wrong. I do like to talk games and computers. I play games too, a lot might I add. I've probably been playing longer than you've lived but that is irrelevant.
All I am saying is that worrying about Steam or how to back up your Steam games is not worth the time and effort. Save your serial numbers (keys) and you can get the media (the game on CD/DVD) anywhere!! Problem solved. I've been on Steam since Half Life and never had a game back up related issue.
Have fun gaming!!!!!
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Originally Posted by myEZweb_net Pfffft. With all due respect, you (we) have other things to worry about than what if Steam goes out of business. Get your CD serial numbers and you'll be fine! |
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Originally Posted by donkru But if i worried about other things I wouldn't exactly be playing games would I? Im sure everyone on this site has better things to do then talk about computers and related things, but we do anyway. |
All I am saying is that worrying about Steam or how to back up your Steam games is not worth the time and effort. Save your serial numbers (keys) and you can get the media (the game on CD/DVD) anywhere!! Problem solved. I've been on Steam since Half Life and never had a game back up related issue.
Have fun gaming!!!!!
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