Suggestion: Native Steam Cloud Gaming Service with Full Workshop Mod Support

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Reggiedekim 7 Aug @ 5:26am

Hi everyone,

I’d like to share an idea that I believe could make a huge difference for many Steam users like myself who use cloud gaming platforms such as GeForce NOW.

Currently, while using these services, installing mods from the Steam Workshop often triggers a prompt to restart the game. However, restarting in a cloud session usually causes the game to fully shut down and reset the environment — which means any mod installations or settings changes are lost. It’s frustrating and kills the experience, especially for mod-heavy games.

That’s why I’m suggesting something simple but potentially game-changing:

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Proposal: Native Steam Cloud Gaming Mode

An official “Launch via Steam Cloud” button next to the standard “Play” option.

Seamless support for Steam Workshop mods and game saves during cloud sessions.

Cloud sessions that retain mod installations and game settings even after restarts.

Optional subscription model — many users (myself included) would gladly pay a fair fee for a high-quality, integrated cloud experience that avoids third-party limitations.

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I really believe this could elevate the Steam ecosystem and reduce reliance on third-party cloud gaming solutions, which aren’t always mod-friendly or user-centric.

Thanks for reading — and if this resonates with you, feel free to add your thoughts or support the idea.

Cheers!

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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments

Ettanin 7 Aug @ 5:58am

It takes the size of Amazon, Microsoft or nVidia to provide cloud gaming in a manner that is serviceable to the masses.

Considering the subscription prices (and it still having queues) and how aggressive nVidia now forces ads on the free plans, it will never be financially viable or even financially feasible for Valve to provide a streaming platform.

Even Google wasn't able to run such a platform with acceptable profit and had to shut it down.

Modding is not fully supported on GeForce Now because GFN needs a pure environment to protect the strict isolation between the VMs and their use cases from jailbreaking (no unauthorized software allowed).

Save up and buy a new gaming PC.

Last edited by Ettanin; 7 Aug @ 6:11am

xBCxRangers 7 Aug @ 7:15am

Right, well i use GFN for mod heavy games. But i don't download the mods, while on GFN.

I download them at the Workshop on the client, and then go and play on GFN, and before the game starts, the Mods load.

And depending it can take time, Sometimes load times are slow, sometimes fast.

I think the benefit overall though is great, being over there, if there is an update on a game, the mods don't break the game.

Before the game starts, it'll shine in red as incompatible, and just omit it before starting the game.

In fact, seeing these nightmares people have with these mods, even if i had a NASA computer, i would use GFN for mod heavy games.

As far as Steam Cloud, i myself had a thread on that, but the partnership with Ge Force Now, and now what apparently may be Xbox who may use their Cloud Service for Steam as well (we don't know), i think Mr Newell is just having other do the work for him.

In short, your idea is one i brought up, but seems GFN is the partnership Steam has with Cloud Service stream gaming.

Ben Lubar 7 Aug @ 8:57am

If you're willing to pay, why not upgrade the part of your computer that's outdated? That way, you don't get any of the downsides of playing a game over remote desktop and the benefits affect everything you do on your computer, not just games.

Years ago, I replaced my GTX 760 with an RTX 2060 and the difference in speed was magical.

cSg|mc-Hotsauce 7 Aug @ 9:14am

Valve chose to partner with Nvidia for pretty obvious reasons, mainly because their extensive infrastructure being they make most of what they use themselves.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/cloudgaming

xBCxRangers 7 Aug @ 10:18am

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:
Valve chose to partner with Nvidia for pretty obvious reasons, mainly because their extensive infrastructure being they make most of what they use themselves.

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/cloudgaming

:nkCool:

BEST decision Mr Newell ever made