Steam 100% Offline, Archival Solutions (Software Preservation)

I'm looking into if it's possible to backup and archive Steam and all games in a library for later use, in an offline situation. I found a couple videos that cover this topic, so I thought I'd share but also ask if anyone here has done this as it potentially turns Steam libraries into something like GOG:


View: https://youtu.be/LQ_Km5YSfT0

This takes it to another level by creating custom game discs which you can use to install and play from, just like the good-ol days:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYxyme7uTg

Not sure if these two solutions are compatible with each other, also not sure if this is legal and if the creators of these videos are still alive and well (I hope so).

I guess another solution is to create virtual machines that can be restored back into reality. Maybe that'd be easier than the above? Anyone try that?

seem misleading at first glance of the video, steam still need to exist and they still log in with their method at the end of the first video, seem like just regular old simple local download of the files (that many people do when they have multiple computers in a local network installing the same steam game), maybe it actually help with the never really happened yet scenario of bought game not being downloadable from steam anymore (they license them for life for the buyers), but steam itself still work fine.

LukeTbk said:

seem misleading at first glance of the video, steam still need to exist and they still log in, seem like just regular old simple local download of the files (that many people do when they have multiple computers in a local network installing the same steam game)

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And then games that integrate with either Steam login to connect, or require their own login to the game.

His main 'trick' is to set Steam to 'offline mode' lol. And that doesn't even work for all games as he said. Just buy a large HDD (sucks to do that now) and install all your Steam games locally - best you're gonna get - here's mine for 459 Steam games:



If anything ever happens to Steam - there's already 'Steam crackers'/Steam hacked-modified clients/cracked cybercafe Steam accounts that can download and play all games/etc - so I'm sure some new version of that will pop up, so long as you still have the files/games installed.

There are Steam games that use no DRM even Steam-DRM you can just launch them from the folders/.exe.

But then as mentioned there's also games that don't just rely on Steam/Steam-DRM, but 3rd party launchers/logins/Denuvo/etc - so prob just download the games again from the high seas anyway if it ever came to it.

I think GOG is really the only solution for this. Or getting pirated versions of the games you bought on Steam as a backup.

I wish Steam forced publishers to cite what DRM they're using, if any, on the game's Steam page. Then your can know what game's you can play offline and crack/pirate from there if you want.

T4rd said:

I wish Steam forced publishers to cite what DRM they're using, if any, on the game's Steam page.

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I believe they do. Maybe it's voluntary but when I go to a game's page on Steam it will show "3rd party DRM : Denuvo", "3rd party account: Ubisoft", etc.

Yeah, that how I avoid buying games with denuvo. Also with 3rd party launchers, nope on that too.