The implementation involves setting up a crash handler that calls SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump upon detection of an exception. Prerequisites Steamworks SDK installed and integrated into your project. Your project must be a C++ application. Basic Usage Example
Leo never closed another bug report again. And somewhere out there, a ghost in the machine finally stopped writing mini-dumps—and started writing second chances.
Once implemented, you can view and download crash dumps via the Steamworks Partner Backend. Navigate to to see a categorized list of exceptions, call stacks, and the frequency of each crash. Use tools like WinDbg or Visual Studio to open the .dmp files for debugging.
return RealMain(hInstance, lpCmdLine, nCmdShow);
googlesource.com/breakpad/breakpad">Google Breakpad for 64-bit support? SteamAPI WriteMiniDump
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.
For players, this function is the difference between a bug that stays forever and a bug that gets patched in the next update. For developers, it is an essential line of defense in the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming. for this API? MiniDumpWriteDump function (minidumpapiset.h) - Win32 apps 21 Feb 2024 —
To implement this feature, developers typically follow these steps: Initialize Steamworks SteamAPI_Init() at the start of the game. Hook Exceptions : Use a Win32 exception handler, such as _set_se_translator , to intercept unhandled exceptions. Generate Dump : Inside the handler, call SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump . You can also use SteamAPI_SetMiniDumpComment
// Initialization SetUnhandledExceptionFilter(MyCustomCrashHandler); The implementation involves setting up a crash handler
if (success) printf("Mini-dump generated successfully!\n"); else printf("Failed to generate mini-dump.\n");
Interestingly, Windows documentation suggests that writing a dump file is safest when done from a separate process
You do not need to link against dbghelp.dll manually; Steamworks manages the heavy lifting.
SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump is an indispensable tool in a Steam developer's toolkit. By automating the capture of crash information, you dramatically reduce debugging time and improve the stability of your game. Implementing proper crash reporting shows professionalism and significantly enhances the user experience. Basic Usage Example Leo never closed another bug
At its core, SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump captures essential diagnostic data, including:
From a developer’s perspective, SteamAPI_WriteMiniDump is called only when an unhandled exception occurs—typically an access violation (segfault), stack overflow, or illegal instruction. The call happens inside the game’s crash handler. Common root causes include:
: The exception code provided by the operating system (e.g., 0xC0000005 for an Access Violation).
The WriteMiniDump function is a part of the Steam API's ISteamUtils interface. Its primary purpose is to generate a mini-dump file for a specified process.