Don't include personally identifiable information in crash reports. Keep comments concise—more isn't always better for performance during crashes.
The build ID parameter deserves special attention. According to Valve's documentation, it's a custom identifier you can set to track which version of your game generated a particular crash dump. This is distinct from Steam's own build IDs—you can use your internal version number, revision number, or build timestamp.
Once error reporting is implemented, crash data becomes visible in the Steamworks Partner backend. Navigate to the Error Reports page ( https://partner.steamgames.com/errors ) to view details for each crash, including frequency, stack traces, and any comments you embedded.
// Use build number as uBuildID for tracking SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump(nExceptionCode, pException, BUILD_NUMBER); SteamAPI WriteMiniDump
SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump is a specialized function within the Steamworks API designed to capture the "state" of your application at a specific moment—usually right when it crashes.
SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump is a utility function provided by the Steamworks API that generates a Windows minidump file and prepares it for upload to Valve's servers. A minidump is a lightweight snapshot of a process, containing: The of the crashed thread. CPU Registers and exception codes. Relevant Memory Regions (like the instruction pointer). Hardware Information about the user's machine. Function Signature
#ifdef _WIN32 #include void MiniDumpFunction(unsigned int nExceptionCode, EXCEPTION_POINTERS *pException) // Optional: Add a custom comment before writing the dump SteamAPI_SetMiniDumpComment("Level: Forest, Players: 4"); // Write and upload the dump SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump(nExceptionCode, pException, 101); // 101 is your Build ID #endif Use code with caution. 2. Setting the Translator According to Valve's documentation, it's a custom identifier
It integrates seamlessly with the Steam platform, allowing for easier crash management. Implementing SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump
The function is generally called within an exception handling block. When the game crashes (e.g., due to a null pointer reference), the OS throws an exception. A custom exception handler catches this, calls SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump , and passes in the exception details. Function Signature
At its core, SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump captures essential diagnostic data, including: Navigate to the Error Reports page ( https://partner
Within the Steamworks SDK, Valve provides a specific function to handle these catastrophic failures: SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump .
Users can send these small files (often only a few megabytes) to developers, enabling remote debugging of rare issues. Implementing SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump
: The game invokes SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump . The Steam subsystem freezes the faulting threads and creates a compact .dmp file containing call stacks, active register contexts, and memory maps.
The true power of this function is realized when paired with automated uploading. Developers can use the Steamworks API to send these .mdmp files directly to the . App Management : Log into the Steamworks dashboard.
designed to help developers capture and upload crash reports from their games directly to Valve’s backend. Technical Summary