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Are Steam Games Saved on the Cloud? Unpacking the Truth About Your Game Saves

Yes, many Steam games utilize Steam Cloud to store your game saves, settings, and other user-specific data. This feature allows you to seamlessly continue your progress on different computers without manually transferring files. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all games support Steam Cloud. Whether or not your data is saved to the cloud depends on if the game developer has implemented this functionality. Let’s dive deeper into how Steam Cloud works and answer some common questions you may have.

Understanding Steam Cloud: The Basics

Steam Cloud is a service provided by Valve, the company behind Steam, that allows developers to store game data on their servers. This data can include:

Save games: The most crucial data for many players, allowing them to pick up where they left off.
Game settings: This includes graphic settings, control configurations, and other preferences.
Profile stats: Achievements, leaderboards, and other statistics related to your in-game performance.
Other user-specific bits: Anything else the developer deems important to synchronize between devices.

Many Steam client settings are also saved via the cloud, including collections, friend nicknames, and anything changed via the Steam client Settings menu.

How to Check if Steam Cloud is Enabled

By default, Steam is set up to automatically synchronize your game data with the cloud, assuming the game supports it. To ensure Steam Cloud is enabled:

Open the Steam client.
Go to Steam > Settings > Cloud.
Make sure the box labeled “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications which support it” is checked.

This ensures that any game you play that supports Steam Cloud will automatically back up your saves.

Where are Steam Games Saved Locally?

Even with Steam Cloud enabled, your save files are also stored locally on your computer. On PC (Steam, GoG, etc., every store except Microsoft Game Store): Your saves can be found under the AppDataLocalLow directory. Once there, enter the folder of game you were playing. Inside, the Save game should be named SAVE_GAME. This is useful if you ever need to manually back up or transfer your saves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Steam Cloud

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to give you a more detailed and complete picture of how Steam Cloud operates:

1. Will I lose my Steam games if I change computers?

No, you will not lose your Steam games. When you buy a game on Steam, it’s tied to your account, not your computer. Simply log in to your Steam account on the new computer, and you can download and install any games you’ve purchased. You may need to re-authorize the new computer.

2. Does Steam save game data to the cloud after I uninstall a game?

Game saves are saved to the cloud, unless the particular game does not use cloud saves. You don’t need to uninstall anything. Verify your game’s cache and it’ll restore the original files. Most games that utilize local as opposed to cloud saving will be in your my documents folder so you don’t have to wory about losing your progress if you uninstall the game.

3. Will deleting Steam delete my game data?

Uninstalling Steam removes not only the client but also all your games and associated files. This includes save data, unless those saves are safely stored in the Steam Cloud. It’s highly recommended to back up any important game data before uninstalling Steam to avoid permanent data loss.

4. Will I lose everything if I uninstall a game and reinstall it?

If the game supports Steam Cloud, your saves will be preserved. When you reinstall the game, it will automatically download your save data from the cloud. If the game doesn’t support Steam Cloud, your local save files will be deleted when you uninstall the game, so back them up manually beforehand.

5. Can I continue my Steam game on another computer?

Yes, you can! Provided that you’re using the same Steam account, and that you’ve selected “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications which support it“, your game progress can be synced across devices. Log in to the Steam client on the computer with the installed game you wish to play. Now, Log into Steam on another computer or a supported device with Steam Link app installed. From there, you can launch and play the game remotely from the Steam Library.

6. How do I restore my Steam game progress?

If you’ve lost your game progress and believe it should be backed up to Steam Cloud, you can try the following:

Verify Steam Cloud is enabled (Steam > Settings > Cloud).
Restart Steam.
Verify the game cache by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting “Properties,” going to the “Installed Files” tab, and clicking “Verify integrity of game files.”
As a last resort, you can try to restore a game backup (Steam > Backup and Restore Games > Restore a previous backup).

7. Do I have to buy Steam games again if I get a new PC?

No. The games are linked to your Steam account, not the hardware. You can redownload your purchased games on any compatible PC by simply logging into your Steam account.

8. Why can’t Steam sync with the cloud?

The most common reason is that Steam Cloud synchronization is disabled. Make sure to go to Steam > Settings > Cloud and ensure the “Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications which support it” option is checked. Also, ensure you’re using the same Steam account you used when you last played the game with Steam Cloud enabled. A bad internet connection can also prevent syncing.

9. How do I copy Steam games without backup?

Technically, you still copy files. But no problem! To move a game to another Steam library without using the backup function:

Copy and paste the game’s folder from the original steamappscommon directory to the new one.
Go to the game’s page in the Steam store and note the URL.
Go to the original steamapps directory.
Copy the appmanifest file associated with the game to the new steamapps directory.
Restart Steam.

10. How do I restore Steam Cloud saves?

There are several ways:

Ensure Steam Cloud is enabled and restart Steam. In many cases, the save files will automatically sync.
Visit the Steam Cloud page (View Steam Cloud) and log in to your account. You’ll see a list of games stored in the cloud. Locate the specific save file and choose “Download.”
Verify the integrity of the game files to force Steam to redownload any missing or corrupted cloud saves.

11. What happens if you delete Steam Cloud saves?

Deleting Steam Cloud saves will permanently remove your game progress from the cloud. This may affect your progress across multiple devices. As a general warning: Deleting the cloud save will wipe your logbook permanently. You will not lose the achievements already unlocked on this profile but progression towards achievements and the logbook information cannot be recovered.

12. Does my Steam account save my progress if I play a game connected to another account?

This depends on how the game implements account linking. If the game developer uses Steam’s standard cloud saving and integrates it properly with an in-game account (for example, linking a Sky account to your Steam account), your progress will be saved. As long as your Steam Account is linked with your current Sky account, your progress will be saved. Step 3: Your local account is now connected to your Steam Account.

13. How do I move my Steam library to a new drive?

Moving your entire Steam library can be helpful if you’re running out of space.

Go to Steam > Settings > Storage.
Click the “+” button to add a new storage location.
Select the new drive.
Select the games you want to move and click “Move.”

14. Can I use the same Steam account on two computers simultaneously?

While you can log in to the same Steam account on multiple computers, you can only actively play games on one computer at a time. If you launch a game on one computer while already playing a game on another, Steam will prompt you to stop the current game on the first computer.

15. Does uninstalling Steam games delete mods?

Uninstalling a Steam game often leaves mod files behind. This is because mods aren’t always considered part of the base game install. If you’re looking to completely remove a game and its mods, you’ll need to manually delete the game’s data folder after uninstalling the game through Steam.

Backing Up Your Steam Games

Even with Steam Cloud, it’s always a good idea to have a local backup of your games. Here’s how to create a backup:

Open your Steam Library.
Right-click the game’s title and select Properties.
From the Installed Files tab, select Backup game files.
Click Browse to choose where to create the backup.
Click Create Backup.
Once complete, choose Open folder.

Conclusion: Embrace the Cloud, But Be Prepared

Steam Cloud offers a convenient way to synchronize your game progress and settings across multiple devices. However, remember that not all games support it, and it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. By understanding how Steam Cloud works and taking the necessary precautions, you can ensure that your gaming experience is always smooth and enjoyable.

Want to learn more about the positive impact of games? Explore the world of game-based learning and research at the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Are Steam games saved on cloud?