Steam may be implementing a pivotal new feature, allowing players to view an estimated framerate for games. Steam is the most popular platform for PC gaming, in large part thanks to the incredible features it consistently introduces. Tools such as Steam Input, enabling non-native controllers to be used and customized, or Steam Workshop, acting as a hub for mods directly on the platform, show support for users.
Additionally, Steam recently tackled the regional pricing issue, and it’s clear to see why the platform remains so popular. Despite this, gamers are still left wanting a feature to provide them with an estimated framerate and performance for the platform’s many titles. Especially on the Steam Deck, many players have experienced games running worse than expected, or simply not meeting their standards. These gamers may be in luck, as a potential upcoming Steam feature could tackle these issues.
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Steam’s Framerate Estimator May Be the Platform’s Next Feature
Twitter user LambdaGeneration posted a screenshot of a discovery found on SteamDB, credited to RoadRunner. The screenshot shows various lines of code, with one mentioning a ‘Framerate Estimator’, and the following lines containing various components of PC hardware, such as a CPU, GPU, and RAM. Another line reads “Select an app and PC config to get a chart of estimated framerates, based on the framerates of other Steam users,” suggesting this could be a menu or message for a future feature.
The potential feature has been largely well-received by fans, although many have been left questioning how the system would provide consistently accurate estimates for every title. Many gamers play with graphical mods enabled, which can drastically alter performance, or external apps such as ReShade, which entirely overhauls the lighting and reduces framerates. In theory, this may lead to inaccurate results if Steam hasn’t developed a method to counter the issue. A potential fix could see Steam prioritizing data collected from sessions without mods or third-party apps, or disregarding the data entirely. With the Steam Machine set for release in 2026, this feature may be more important than ever for assessing games to purchase.
Further reinforcing the idea of this being a future feature comes from a user who is part of the Bleeding Edge branch of Steam that tests experimental updates and builds. They replied to the initial post with a screenshot of Steam asking permission to anonymously collect data for game compatibility and platform improvement. It’s worth noting that the aforementioned code asks players to choose an app and PC configuration to receive an estimated framerate, likely meaning the feature will be available for different graphics settings. With the Steam Deck consistently receiving major SteamOS updates, this potential update could come sooner than expected for the handheld.
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Although this information remains compelling, Steam hasn’t officially announced a similar upcoming feature. Situations like this should always be taken with a grain of salt until confirmed, to avoid confusion and disappointment. With Steam’s free-to-play library recently expanding, this feature would be a welcome addition to help players assess which games they should play and their relative performance.
