Well today is the big day. Valve has now formally revealed the Steam Deck, a portable handheld gaming console powered by a new version of their Linux-based SteamOS operating system.
"We think Steam Deck gives people another way to play the games they love on a high-performance device at a great price," says Valve founder Gabe Newell. "As a gamer, this is a product I've always wanted. And as a game developer, it's the mobile device I've always wanted for our partners."
Since it's based on Linux, we now know a big reason why Valve has been investing in Linux gaming with the likes of Steam Play Proton. It will play your Linux native titles, with support boosted by Proton. Not only that, Valve said "we're vastly improving Proton's game compatibility and support for anti-cheat solutions by working directly with the vendors". This is pretty amazing, as anti-cheat was the big missing piece. In their FAQ, they make it clear that they are working directly with BattlEye and EAC to get support for Proton.
Anti-cheat support is coming too! That's huge!
The new SteamOS has been optimized for handheld and touchscreen gaming, while it will also have a desktop mode for those who want it. SteamOS 3.0 is also being based upon Arch Linux, with the desktop mode being powered by KDE Plasma.
We also know why Valve has been heavily investing in AMD GPU drivers for Linux too now then. It's a custom APU they partnered with AMD on for Zen 2 + RDNA 2.
Quick specs:
- Powerful, custom APU developed with AMD
- Optimized for hand-held gaming
- Full-sized controls
- 7" touchscreen
- WiFi and Bluetooth ready
- USB-C port for accessories
- microSD slot for storage expansion
- 3 different storage options available
The Steam Deck will also have a dock, much like you see with the Nintendo Switch with more ports to play with like USB, wired networking and enabling external displays. More tech info can be seen here.
It's an open system too, since it's basically a PC in your hands. Valve said "you can install third party software and operating systems".
Valve also did a session with IGN where they answered some questions. IGN also has hands-on video to give a better look at the device.
Steam Deck starts at $399, with increased storage options available for $529 and $649. The two higher models have bigger storage space, plus the two higher models actually use an NVMe drive for faster loading time and the top end has an anti-glare screen too.
Reservations open July 16th at 10 AM PDT; shipping is slated to start in December 2021. Currently it's limited to United States, Canada, European Union, and the United Kingdom with more regions becoming available in 2022.
For developers, Valve put up a video overview:
Direct Link
See more on the Steam Deck website and the Steam Deck store page.
Is this the holy grail of Linux gaming? Could be.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
But honestly at that price point I can't get anything else as powerful that's a whole PC. So I'd buy it with very little consideration.
buckysrevenge Jul 15, 2021
I realized noone is talking about the weight, 669 grams. I looked up the weight of the regular Nintendo Switch, it's 400 grams with the joy cons attached. I haven't tried out the Switch myself, but I know some people complain about the weight of it.
I don't know if it's a silly concern or if it's a deal breaker? What do you guys think?
Quoting: GuestOn a different note, what games would people think to play on this? It's not like most of the games in people's existing Steam library are designed for this form factor.
It's funny you should ask. I gave some broad strokes in the last article, but just the other day I was having a look at my Steam wishlist and thought to myself, "those Supergiant Games games would be just perfect for playing on a Steam Pal, if Valve release one. "
Last edited by CatKiller on 15 July 2021 at 7:15 pm UTC
QuoteCurrently it's limited to United States, Canada, European Union, and the United Kingdom with more regions becoming available in 2022.
Nothing for Norway then (or Switzerland, or Iceland or Luxemburg)? Or is this just a ploy to make us join the EU?
Still some hurdles in the way of success:
--Marketing & sales channels
--UI polish
--Video streaming and such
--Possible hardware hiccups like mirv was saying
If they get all that fairly right, the chance of this being big might be pretty decent.
On the plus side, even if this doesn't succeed, people who buy one won't be stranded like they would be if they bought some similar products that died. The games available for it are basically "The Steam library minus anything that won't work in Proton", and that won't go away even if the product dies ignominiously. It will officially run SteamOS 3, but if Valve drop the project and SteamOS with it, you can just install some other Linux.
Also, even if this project fails, I see a noticeable upside for Linux gamers: Because of this, Valve is going to make a big push to make Proton work real good, and probably some degree of push for native Linux titles. So for us, even worst case it's a win.
Mohandevir Jul 15, 2021
Quoting: RickAndTiredhttps://youtu.be/5Q_C5KVJbUw?t=110
"Our goal is for every game to work by the time we ship Steam Deck"
Sounds crazy, hope it happens
... And in the video, it's also said that the public version of proton is lagging behind in support (thousands of game tests and AC support), if I get it right.
We live in exciting times again!
Last edited by Mohandevir on 15 July 2021 at 7:51 pm UTC
Quote...and the top end has an anti-glare screen too...
That should be what every model has. It is a portable thing, where you can not control the light in your surrounding.
Otherwise it looks cool - hopefully they have game studios supporting it, otherwise it will go the steam machine route I think.
Quoting: CatKillerI've just had a horrible thought: am I going to be compelled to say, "I use Arch, btw," everywhere I go?
But than you can also show it, can't you?
"I use Arch btw, here I show you *takes steam deck out of the pocket*..."
I'm also concerned about the switch to Arch. I would have preferred a more stable distribution such as Ubuntu.
Still, at the price point + specs for the base model, it will be hard to talk myself out of purchasing this.
Mohandevir Jul 15, 2021
Quoting: KohlyKohlI'm also concerned about the switch to Arch. I would have preferred a more stable distribution such as Ubuntu.It's not like you're going to be installing a stack of AUR stuff. Someone's carefully set up bare-bones Arch is probably very stable.
Quoting: GuestOn a different note, what games would people think to play on this? It's not like most of the games in people's existing Steam library are designed for this form factor.
I want to load ScummVM on it.
Quoting: Purple Library GuyQuoting: KohlyKohlI'm also concerned about the switch to Arch. I would have preferred a more stable distribution such as Ubuntu.It's not like you're going to be installing a stack of AUR stuff. Someone's carefully set up bare-bones Arch is probably very stable.
Arch is inherently less stable by design. Adding in the AUR just makes it more unstable. Arch has its place I just don't think a consumer device is one of them.
Quoting: ShmerlI want to load ScummVM on it.
Quoting: GuestAnother thought: DOSBox.Steam already has the ability to use miscellaneous compatibility tools (and other versions of Proton) by just putting the relevant files in the compatibilitytools.d directory. There are already projects that set things up ready to go for those two: Roberta and Boxtron, respectively.
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