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[Palliasso]

I fixed OP's title tag

 

[BadBurger]

December for me. This is going to be awesome.

 

[MrFunSocks]

Some devs will optimize performance or can create performance profiles for Steam Deck. Games can be written to detect that they are running on the deck and do whatever they want really.

Valve is also working with devs w/ launchers and whatnot to get rid of them on the deck, or make steam deck versions of them (really the point is to log in to their services first and foremost).

Have you ever played a PC game? They already offer a wealth of settings to tinker with to get the game running how you want. Many of them you just run a benchmark and then it sets them for you.

Saying devs will do extra work for the Deck is like saying they'll do extra work for the Surface Book. It's just a pc, the work has already been done.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Have you ever played a PC game? They already offer a wealth of settings to tinker with to get the game running how you want. Many of them you just run a benchmark and then it sets them for you.

Saying devs will do extra work for the Deck is like saying they'll do extra work for the Surface Book. It's just a pc, the work has already been done.

I've been PC gaming for like 35 years.

Valve's goal is to create a device that also works well for gamers who don't want to tinker. Maybe devs won't do shit but let games auto-detect, maybe they'll specifically optimize for Steam Deck.. maybe not.

PC Games aren't designed in general to be played on small screens; you lack imagination if you think devs can't or wont do anything to optimize for the device. Maybe it's a matter of increasing font sizes or changing menus, the thing has a touch screen so games could add something to do with that, etc. Mobile gaming is a huge part of the future, so if PC games can make themselves more attractive to that audience, that's a big win for PC game devs.

Valve is also just doing it for PR of course, but they want this to be a successful platform that could potentially sit on shelves at Best Buy next to the Switch.

 

[Esppiral]

Can't wait yo play some PS3 and 360 on It.

 

[MrFunSocks]

I've been PC gaming for like 35 years.

Valve's goal is to create a device that also works well for gamers who don't want to tinker. Maybe devs won't do shit but let games auto-detect, maybe they'll specifically optimize for Steam Deck.. maybe not.

PC Games aren't designed in general to be played on small screens; you lack imagination if you think devs can't or wont do anything to optimize for the device. Maybe it's a matter of increasing font sizes or changing menus, the thing has a touch screen so games could add something to do with that, etc. Mobile gaming is a huge part of the future, so if PC games can make themselves more attractive to that audience, that's a big win for PC game devs.

Valve is also just doing it for PR of course, but they want this to be a successful platform that could potentially sit on shelves at Best Buy next to the Switch.

Games won't get that sort of stuff for the deck specifically because it's a super niche device. Devs aren't going to implement touch screen things for their games just for the deck lol. Like I said, how many devs did that for the Surface Book and other devices like that?

Devs already do auto detect and benchmark to set the settings, that's nothing Deck specific. Again - it's just a low powered PC.

Can't wait yo play some PS3 and 360 on It.

Good luck with that lol.

 

[BadBurger]

Have you ever played a PC game? They already offer a wealth of settings to tinker with to get the game running how you want. Many of them you just run a benchmark and then it sets them for you.

Saying devs will do extra work for the Deck is like saying they'll do extra work for the Surface Book. It's just a pc, the work has already been done.

Well, true, but while reviewing their own games they may come across some fix or enhancement that benefits the wider audience working with Proton. Valve's ultimate goal is making their distro of Linux and chosen application compat layer (Proton) a popular and ubiquitous thing. They can then have a backdoor around Windows while having a longterm new console-ish hit on their hands.

 

[LiquidMetal14]

If there's someone who I want to hear from it's Phill. Not really. Not on this matter lol

More devs can post though as I'm highly interested.

 

[cyberheater]

I'm just wondering about the portable VR possibilities of this portable.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Why would any dev to want to lose all the sales from the desktop/laptop Steam consumers???

It's more about optimizing your pc specific games to reduce/optimize cpu/gpu usage to use less power when playing the title on battery power.

For mobile battery optimization is important especially when you are dealing with 3d rendering or 60fps (or higher) vs 30fps.
In most cases we would never give a second thought to adding that feature to a PC title.
Now there might be a bit more incentive to do this type of optimization especially if Steam gives out "optimized for steam deck" badges or specific Steam Deck software highlights on the store front.

 

[Fess]

This is pretty much the handheld of my dreams and have the 512GB version pre-ordered. Will probably give my Switch to my nephew. Switch is great but really don't have the time for 2 handhelds anyway.

Yeah if the stars align I’ll get my 512GB in Q1 2022, can’t wait!

 

[rodrigolfp]

It's more about optimizing your pc specific games to reduce/optimize cpu/gpu usage to use less power when playing the title on battery power.

For mobile battery optimization is important especially when you are dealing with 3d rendering or 60fps (or higher) vs 30fps.
In most cases we would never give a second thought to adding that feature to a PC title.
Now there might be a bit more incentive to do this type of optimization especially if Steam gives out "optimized for steam deck" badges or specific Steam Deck software highlights on the store front.

But this without a different build from the desk/laptop version?

 

[coffinbirth]

Games won't get that sort of stuff for the deck specifically because it's a super niche device. Devs aren't going to implement touch screen things for their games just for the deck lol. Like I said, how many devs did that for the Surface Book and other devices like that?

Devs already do auto detect and benchmark to set the settings, that's nothing Deck specific. Again - it's just a low powered PC.


Good luck with that lol.

Xenia would probably run fairly well, actually.

 

[Sean Mirrsen]

Games won't get that sort of stuff for the deck specifically because it's a super niche device. Devs aren't going to implement touch screen things for their games just for the deck lol. Like I said, how many devs did that for the Surface Book and other devices like that?

How many devices like the Surface Book were backed by a PC gaming company with over 70% market share in digital PC games distribution?

Devs already do auto detect and benchmark to set the settings, that's nothing Deck specific. Again - it's just a low powered PC.

Yup. But the Deck is a specific device, specific to the platform the devs rely on to get their games to the public. It's no skin off their back to check and make sure that if the surge of new owners of this "low powered PC" looks through the thousands of games available for sale, they can instantly find their game among those proven to be compatible with their device, because the platform is sure to highlight them.

Good luck with that lol.

RPCS3 already runs games on Aya Neo. Not sure about Xbox360 emulation, but PS3 is a solved case.

 

[kingpotato]

Does Phil like the Playdate? I would love if Phil will bring Gamepass to the Playdate. Imagine Dark Souls with a crank???

I already crank it to dark souls ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Here's the thing, for me:

It could be the best handheld ever.

But i don't want to hold a nearly-1ft black brick with a big old screen on the subway. And if i get somewhere discreet, I'll use a laptop.

I dunno, for me discretion is the most important part of handhelds. PSP is the best tradeoff for this, vita next, then new 3ds.. I'll never be caught dead with a switch in public. Maybe if i was the exec of a console i might feel slightly less awkward about it.

I plan to use it like my switch, docked on my desk and connected to my monitor 85% of the time. I don't usually play on the train or rides that are semi short, but it is nice to take it to play on a plane or when you travel in general.

Neat, been a while since the initial hands on impression videos. Considering its variety in controls that can be used, i wonder if theres a dev that takes the challenge to do some kind of small game which utilizes ALL of those controlleroptions!

I imagine there will be a lot of community generated profiles for controls, just like there were with the steam controller.

Good luck with that lol.

If the device can run most games for the last gen consoles smoothly, you can install software and OSes as you see fit, and there are emulation options already available.... What's the hurdle?

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

But this without a different build from the desk/laptop version?

One situation where we would ship a different exe would be if we had to optimize for install or asset size. In that case using asset delivery packages (install a launcher from steam and download the rest) would be a better approach probably.

 

[Lone Wolf]

If I can get my Stadia on this Stream Deck I'll buy one.

Why would you buy a Steam Deck only to defecate on it?

 

[kingpotato]

If I can get my Stadia on this Stream Deck I'll buy one.

I would guess there is bound to be a workaround, but who knows if the wireless connection is going to be optimal for stadia.

 

[Humdinger]

But did Kojima rike his?

That's racist.

I find myself interested in this Steam Deck thingie, but I can't see myself being an early adopter.

 

[Shmunter]

Are pc gamers genuinely interested in a console experience, a small portable one at that?

Who is this for?

 

[junguler]

Are pc gamers genuinely interested in a console experience, a small portable one at that?

Who is this for?

a console experience is there if you want it to but it's far from the only use case steam deck is going to have, it's a small form factor pc with all of the capabilities and potentials a pc has and since nothing is locked you can do all sorts of cool things with it that's just not possible on a console. i imagine most of the people who want to buy steam deck already have a pc and have an specific use case in mind for it already, like retro gaming or dual booting steam os with windows 10/11 etc ...

 

[Sean Mirrsen]

Are pc gamers genuinely interested in a console experience, a small portable one at that?

Who is this for?

PC gamers are interested in PC games, and anything that lets them have more time with PC games, or experience PC games in new ways.

Much like with the Switch, the name of the game is convenience. A desktop is very convenient but only in the very limited space around itself. A laptop is portable but inconvenient in different ways (need to carry accessories, need to set it down on something to use, vulnerable to overheat, fragile for its size, etc). A tablet PC is equally convenient everywhere but lacks controls for gaming. A Deck, not even the Steam Deck but any "Deck", which is how I choose to refer to these tablet-like portable PCs with integrated controls (so Aya Neo, GPD Win, OneX Player, etc), is perfectly convenient for gaming, only compromising on available power. Steam Deck just adds another layer of convenience on top of that, by having a console-like frontend interface perfectly suited to the integrated controls.

So basically it's PC games with the most convenience you can have them outside of the desktop experience, but available anywhere you go. Of course PC gamers (at least those not of the "master race" kind) would be interested in it.

 

[FStubbs]

It's just a low powered PC, so it's not like PC games wouldn't work on it. Don't really get the excitement over developers getting their hands on it. None of them will be making steam deck exclusive games or specific steam deck changes.

You'll definitely have a few do Steam Deck optimizations if it sells well.

 

[Bullet Club]

Someone from China has done some benchtesting on a Stream Steam Deck devkit.

Steam Deck Handheld Console Benchmarked - 60 FPS With Decent Image Quality In Several AAA Games, 30 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at Native Resolution

The first performance benchmarks of the Steam Deck handheld console in several AAA and eSports games have been published

wccftech.com

Steam Deck Gaming Performance Benchmarks:

• Shadow of The Tomb Raider (High) - 30+ FPS Average
• Shadow of The Tomb Raider (Custom) - 60+ FPS Average
• Doom Eternal (Custom) - 46 FPS Average
• Doom Eternal (Low) - 60 FPS Average
• DOTA 2 (High) - 47 FPS
• DOTA 2 (Low) - 80 FPS
• Cyberpunk 2077 (High) - 20 - 30 FPS

 

[Holammer]

Someone from China has done some benchtesting on a Stream Steam Deck devkit.

Steam Deck Handheld Console Benchmarked - 60 FPS With Decent Image Quality In Several AAA Games, 30 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at Native Resolution

The first performance benchmarks of the Steam Deck handheld console in several AAA and eSports games have been published

wccftech.com

Steam Deck Gaming Performance Benchmarks:

• Shadow of The Tomb Raider (High) - 30+ FPS Average
• Shadow of The Tomb Raider (Custom) - 60+ FPS Average
• Doom Eternal (Custom) - 46 FPS Average
• Doom Eternal (Low) - 60 FPS Average
• DOTA 2 (High) - 47 FPS
• DOTA 2 (Low) - 80 FPS
• Cyberpunk 2077 (High) - 20 - 30 FPS

Found on Twitter. This is the second time a Chinese developer fails to follow NDA directions.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

Damn, it looks good.

 

[Holammer]

Witcher 3 running on the Deck. I like how they travel in the town Digital Foundry always use for benchmarking.

 

[Romulus]

Running at these resolutions, that CPU is pretty beastly.

 

[kingpotato]

So if the deck only has the one USB c port, will I need to get a dongle to be able to keep it charged while using a second monitor? I'm guessing so. I wish they would announce more info about the dock.

 

[kiphalfton]

Didn't sign up when they were offering it. What are my chances of getting one within the next year? Steam is the only one selling them also, right?

 

[Roronoa Zoro]

Are pc gamers genuinely interested in a console experience, a small portable one at that?

Who is this for?

Long time console only gamer here who wants a nice entry PC that can be played on the go. Gonna get a lot of older games on it too.