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Utility Examples

This section describes common usage patterns for the Steam Utility subsystem and explains how the provided nodes are typically used in real projects.

The Utility subsystem is intended for environment checks, conditional feature logic, and context-aware behavior, rather than direct gameplay mechanics.

All functionality is exposed through synchronous Blueprint nodes, with equivalent C++ access available.

Steam Environment Checks

The environment-related nodes are commonly used during startup and feature initialization.

Is Steam Running and Is Steam Initialized are used to determine whether Steam-dependent functionality can be safely accessed. This allows projects to gracefully disable Steam features when running outside the Steam client or when initialization has failed.

These checks are especially useful for development builds, standalone testing, or alternative distribution scenarios.

Overlay and Runtime Mode Detection

Overlay and runtime mode queries are used to adapt UI and interaction flow.

Is Steam Overlay Enabled is typically checked before offering overlay-based features such as invites, friends dialogs, or store pages.

Is Steam In Big Picture Mode is commonly used to switch to controller-focused UI layouts, while Is Steam Running In VR allows enabling VR-specific behavior or presentation logic.

Steam Time Access

Time-related nodes provide access to Steam-authoritative timing information.

Get Steam Server Time returns the current Steam backend time as a Unix timestamp. This is preferred over local system time for features such as daily rewards, cooldowns, or timed events.

Get Server Time Offset returns the difference between Steam server time and local UTC time, allowing projects to compensate for incorrect local clocks.

Build Information

Get Steam Build ID returns the Steam build identifier of the currently installed version of the application.

This value is typically used for diagnostics, telemetry, crash reports, or displaying build information in debug menus. Build IDs change when new builds are published through Steam.

Localization and Region Data

Localization-related nodes expose Steam-level language and region settings.

Get Steam UI Language returns the language used by the Steam client interface, while Get Current Game Language returns the language selected for the game itself in Steam.

These values are commonly used to select default localization on first launch or to align in-game language with Steam preferences.

Get User Country returns a country code based on the user’s IP address and can be used for region-based logic, compliance checks, or optional analytics.

DLC Ownership Checks

Is DLC Installed is used to verify whether a specific DLC application ID is installed for the current user.

This check is commonly used to enable or disable DLC-related content, features, or cosmetic items. The result reflects local installation state and does not require additional network requests.

Important Notes

  • Utility nodes are synchronous and safe to call frequently
  • Environment checks should precede any Steam-dependent functionality
  • Steam server time should be preferred over local system time for authoritative logic
  • Localization values reflect Steam settings, not in-game overrides
  • DLC checks should be used for feature gating, not as a security mechanism