SteamDB Leaks Are In Trouble As Private Branches Are Being Enabled On More Games

As a dedicated gamer with years of experience under my belt and countless hours poured into various titles, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern as SteamDB’s latest update unveiled the growing trend of private branches for games on their platform.


As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed that modern gaming has been all about keeping us, the players, in the loop during the development process of our beloved games. A crucial resource for this is SteamDB, a tool that lets me keep tabs on game files and detect fresh content – sometimes even ahead of official announcements. It’s like being a game detective!

On the other hand, as more users opt for private branches on SteamDB, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to maintain our backstage access. Let’s explore this emerging pattern and its potential implications for gamers.

Game Leaks May Start Drying Up As More Games Use Private Branches on SteamDB

Ever since Steam was first introduced, players have relied on resources such as SteamDB to monitor game updates and gain insights into the activities of developers. SteamDB has played a crucial role in identifying minor alterations within game files, which often signal forthcoming content or updates. Additionally, it’s been an essential tool for forecasting upcoming game releases, as developers tend to update their Steam pages more frequently when they’re nearing launch.

In simpler terms, certain games on Steam are now allowed to have private update branches. This means that SteamDB won’t be able to monitor changes and updates for these specific games as they did before.

— SteamDB (@SteamDB) November 13, 2024

It was disclosed by SteamDB in a recent post about X that a concerning development has occurred: ‘Steam is now allowing certain games to have ‘private branches’ in their app details, meaning SteamDB won’t be able to monitor updates for these games anymore.’ Although this adjustment may appear insignificant to some, it could substantially decrease one of the most valuable resources players have for staying updated on game development and news, especially for highly anticipated titles.

An illustrative instance of this effect can be seen in Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited follow-up to the renowned Metroidvania game, Hollow Knight. Ever since its announcement in 2019, fans have been yearning for updates, and SteamDB modifications—indicating file alterations or additions—have served as comforting signs that development is ongoing. However, if Team Cherry chooses to work in private branches, fans might lose a significant source of information regarding the game’s advancements.

SteamDB Leaks Are In Trouble As Private Branches Are Being Enabled On More Games

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m just as thrilled when SteamDB updates create a buzz around games like Elden Ring and its DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree. The anticipation builds as we gamers eagerly await more information and release schedules, hoping for deeper insights into these fantastic worlds.

With data miners and disclosers potentially still revealing some details, moving towards private development branches could markedly decrease the amount of obtainable information, causing fans to be left in the dark for now. Players can merely cross their fingers that the use of private branches stays minimal and that developers continue to be transparent by making updates publicly available. These glimpses into game development have always been a valued aspect of the gaming community’s bond with the games they admire.

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2024-11-15 15:13