Steam client beta update enables simultaneous game installs

A recent update to the Steam client beta has made it a whole lot easier to install multiple games at the same time.

This may not qualify as the most "must-have" feature ever, but it's handy if you've ever wanted to do a big, overnight download of multiple games on Steam. In the past you'd have to start each download manually, but now you can select as many games in your library as you like, then right-click and select "install." That will open an "install—multiple games" window, from which you can make the final decision about what you will and will not dump onto your PC.

I'm not sure when exactly this feature was added, but it came to light a couple days ago by way of the Steam Database Twitter account. To take advantage of this and other handy beta updates, you will of course have to be participating in the Steam client beta program, accessible through your account settings.

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.