How to Revert to an Older Version of a Steam Game

By

Navigating the constantly evolving landscape of PC gaming often means dealing with updates that can alter gameplay, remove favorite features, or introduce bugs. Steam, being one of the largest digital distribution platforms, maintains a detailed history of each game’s updates, allowing savvy users to revert to earlier versions if needed. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to downgrade Steam games, giving you control over your gaming experience and the ability to enjoy previous versions of your favorite titles.

Can I Revert Any Game on Steam to a Previous Version?

Yes, it is possible to access earlier versions of most Steam games. Steam keeps a complete record of all update variants stored as manifests within each game’s depot. However, the process isn’t as straightforward as selecting a version from a menu. Instead, you will need to utilize the Steam Console and a third-party database service known as SteamDB. This method involves retrieving specific information about the game and its update history—such as App ID, Depot ID, and Manifest ID—and then executing commands via the Steam Console to download the desired version.

While this process may seem technical, it offers a powerful way to maintain a specific game state, especially for modders or players seeking stability over the latest features. For those interested in customizing their experience further, exploring modding guides like the comprehensive guide to modding in game dev tycoon can be highly beneficial.

1. Enable the Steam Console

To begin, ensure your Steam client is running. If you’re aiming to revert a paid game, verify that you are logged into an account that owns it. The first step is to activate the Steam Console, which allows command-line interactions with your game library.

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, then type the following command:

“`plaintext

steam://open/console

“`

Press Enter, and Steam will open a new window titled Steam Console. Keep Steam active and proceed to your web browser for the next steps. This console interface enables you to input commands that facilitate downloading specific game versions, making it a crucial tool for game version management.

2. Identify the App, Depot, and Manifest IDs for Your Game

Next, you need to gather specific identifiers for the game you wish to downgrade. This step involves visiting SteamDB, a reliable resource that tracks all Steam game data.

Search for your game—let’s use Half-Life 2 as an example. The first piece of information required is the App ID, a unique number assigned to each game. Record this number, then click on the Depots link on the page. This section lists all the component parts of the game, including the base files and updates.

Identify the Depot ID for the main game files—generally, the largest depot or the one labeled ‘Base’ is your target. For Half-Life 2, the base depot might be labeled “Half-Life 2 Base” with an associated Depot ID, such as 221.

Once identified, click on the Depot ID to access its detailed page, then select Manifests. Here, you’ll find a list of past updates and their corresponding Manifest ID. Choose the version you want to revert to and note down its Manifest ID.

In our example, the combination would be:

  • App ID: 220
  • Depot ID: 221
  • Manifest ID: 2285219600326880043

This information is essential for retrieving the specific game version through the Steam Console.

3. Download the Specific Game Version Using the Steam Console

Return to the Steam Console window. To download the desired version, enter the following command:

“`plaintext

download_depot

“`

For our example, it would look like this:

“`plaintext

download_depot 220 221 2285219600326880043

“`

After executing the command, Steam will silently download the specified version. You might not see a progress indicator, but you can verify the process by checking your network activity. Once complete, the console will display a message similar to Depot download complete.

Remember, error messages may appear at this stage; however, as long as you see the completion message, your download was successful. Take note of the download location, as you’ll need to access this folder to replace or restore game files later.

4. Replace the Current Game Files with the Downloaded Version

Navigate to the folder where Steam stored the downloaded files—this is typically within your Steam directory under `steamapps/depot`. Keep this window open for reference.

Next, locate your game’s installation folder:

  • Right-click the game in your Steam Library.
  • Select Manage > Browse Local Files.

This opens the current game directory. To complete the downgrade, replace the existing files with the ones you’ve just downloaded. You can do this by either moving the original files to a backup location or deleting them entirely—both methods work, but keeping backups is safer.

Copy the downloaded files into this directory, overwriting the existing ones. With the files replaced, launching the game through Steam should now run the previous version. This process effectively restores your game to an earlier state, giving you control over updates and stability issues.

5. Disable Automatic Updates to Maintain the Downgraded Version

To prevent Steam from updating your game automatically and undoing your downgrade, modify the update settings:

  • Right-click the game in your Steam Library.
  • Select Properties.
  • Go to the Updates tab.
  • Change Always keep this game updated to Only update this game when I launch it.

This setting ensures the game remains at your chosen version until you manually update it. Alternatively, launching Steam in Offline Mode or disconnecting from the internet can also prevent automatic updates, but offline mode can limit other functionalities. Use this option cautiously, especially if you rely on online features.

Can You Downgrade Games on the Steam Deck?

The process for downgrading games on the Steam Deck is similar to that on a traditional PC. Switch your device to desktop mode, then follow the same steps outlined above. Keep in mind that the Steam Deck’s limited storage space means you’ll need to manage your downloads carefully, especially since you’ll be downloading additional copies of your games. Patience and careful planning are key when performing these procedures on handheld hardware.

—

Thanks to Steam’s meticulous version control, players can access older updates of their favorite titles, preserving stability or compatibility with mods and custom content. While some online multiplayer games may restrict downgrading to maintain online integrity, most single-player titles and even some multiplayer games still support this flexibility. This method even allows access to games that have been removed from Steam, giving you extended control over your gaming library.

For a deep dive into customizing and modding your games, explore guides like the full tutorial on modding in game dev tycoon, which can enhance your experience further.

Similar Posts