Steam beta update makes older versions of games unplayable
Immediate synchronization prevents access to older versions
The patch notes for the update say namely, that you want to ensure that "all installed and all cloud-enabled games are synchronized as soon as possible in order to avoid delays when games are started and to prepare for possible offline play."Recommended editorial content At this point you will find external content from [PLATTFORM]. To protect your personal data, external integrations are only displayed if you confirm this by clicking on "Load all external content": Load all external content I consent to external content being displayed to me. This means that personal data is transmitted to third-party platforms. Read more about our privacy policy . External content More on this in our data protection declaration. Put simply, this means that older versions become unplayable because they are immediately updated with the latest updates. SteamDB ceator Pavel Djundik, who also uses the beta client, has also made it clear on Twitter what this is all about. He writes: "With this change it is no longer possible to download older versions of a game because the client asks directly for a code (GetManifestRequestCode) that changes every five minutes."
On SteamDB he explained the innovation and the problem that occurred in more detail for all interested parties. Modders and speed runners in particular are likely to feel offended by this change, because they have often used older versions of a game for their own purposes. The change to Steam is also bad news when it comes to game archiving.
The update is still only effective on the beta client and whether it spills over to the regular client in the same form and which games are affected by it is still unclear. If Steam receives appropriate feedback, they could in any case reconsider or adjust the change before it goes live for all users.
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