Valve unveils new Steam download system
Downloads are promised to be faster with new code
Valve has announced that users can now download some of the content on Steam using all-new server and client code.
The new content system is designed to deliver better download rates in more places around the world, and also to simply streamline the publishing process on Steam. The maximum aggregate bandwidth of the system will be greater than the current system, which will help cope with the traffic spikes during game release days.
Another way that the new content system improves the bandwidth picture is by requiring each user to download less data. With the Steam content system that’s been in place for a few years now, if an individual file on disk were modified by a game update, your client had to download the whole file. The new system supports delivering only the differences between the old and new files, meaning game updates will be much smaller overall.
In addition, the new content system will allow for several new features to be implemented. Upcoming client releases include download scheduling, bandwidth throttling, and prioritizing which games get downloaded first. Downloading updates for a game while playing it will also be possible.
The new system is already in place, and users are encouraged to try it by downloading some sample HD videos.
The new content system is designed to deliver better download rates in more places around the world, and also to simply streamline the publishing process on Steam. The maximum aggregate bandwidth of the system will be greater than the current system, which will help cope with the traffic spikes during game release days.
Another way that the new content system improves the bandwidth picture is by requiring each user to download less data. With the Steam content system that’s been in place for a few years now, if an individual file on disk were modified by a game update, your client had to download the whole file. The new system supports delivering only the differences between the old and new files, meaning game updates will be much smaller overall.
In addition, the new content system will allow for several new features to be implemented. Upcoming client releases include download scheduling, bandwidth throttling, and prioritizing which games get downloaded first. Downloading updates for a game while playing it will also be possible.
The new system is already in place, and users are encouraged to try it by downloading some sample HD videos.
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