Valve has formally announced the Steam Deck, a portable handheld console with SteamOS

Quoting: elmapul

Quoting: slaapliedje

Quoting: CatKiller

Quoting: mylka

Quoting: Purple Library Guy

Quoting: mylkai think they should make it more clear, that they do not sell a WINDOWS PC and you may not be able to play some games and you wont be able to install windows software like you do on windows

Nobody expects a thing like a Nintendo Switch to be a Windows PC. I don't think they need to sweat that a whole lot.

but switch owners expect to play their switch games
steam deck players wont be able to play all their steam games

I agree with you that it's something that needs to be addressed head on, but it seems clear that compatibility will be indicated in some fashion (that's how the rumours started in the first place). I think that Valve's aspiration to remove all barriers without specific game dev intervention is unrealistic.

However, the fact that not all PCs can play all PC games has been known to PC gamers for decades. My current desktop can play every game I can throw at it, but my ultrabook, my NUC and my now-retired Sandy Bridge machine simply can't. It is a pain that there are additional technical barriers if game devs don't make their products work on this machine, but the existence of titles that can't be run shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Funny thing is, with Windows 10, the opposite can be true as well, where games haven't been updated to work with it, and you're hosed if you run anything newer than Windows 7. Linux in this case with Proton/Wine has way better compatibility.

except for, wsl...
and most people dont care that much about old games as they do care about new games

WSL is trash. I know, I'm forced to use the abomination at work every day. Oh, yeah I finally got to upgrade to WSL2...then went back to 1 because I don't have time to figure out why WSL2 needs it's own networking and breaks on the VPN...

Ooh, if there is a way to load the Steam Buddy tool onto this and easily import GOG games... that would be absolutely amazing.
This is actually everything I wanted as a gaming system. Dockable too!

Quoting: Guest

Quoting: BielFPs

Quoting: GuestDid anyone ever hear valve say anything about their asian players? no surprise, my country is not included.

I would like the opportunity to ask: how is the linux scenario in asian countries?

i dont know much, but my country has around 3.07% market share in linux(desktop) , could probably be the one of the highest in asia.

were it is?

Quoting: JozuaOoh, if there is a way to load the Steam Buddy tool onto this and easily import GOG games... that would be absolutely amazing.
This is actually everything I wanted as a gaming system. Dockable too!

It is just Linux on there, so I don't see why you couldn't load up anything that works on Linux. I think it might be time for Lutris to get a BPM mode as well.

Quoting: CatKiller

Quoting: mylka

Quoting: Purple Library Guy

Quoting: mylkai think they should make it more clear, that they do not sell a WINDOWS PC and you may not be able to play some games and you wont be able to install windows software like you do on windows

Nobody expects a thing like a Nintendo Switch to be a Windows PC. I don't think they need to sweat that a whole lot.

but switch owners expect to play their switch games
steam deck players wont be able to play all their steam games

I agree with you that it's something that needs to be addressed head on, but it seems clear that compatibility will be indicated in some fashion (that's how the rumours started in the first place). I think that Valve's aspiration to remove all barriers without specific game dev intervention is unrealistic.

However, the fact that not all PCs can play all PC games has been known to PC gamers for decades. My current desktop can play every game I can throw at it, but my ultrabook, my NUC and my now-retired Sandy Bridge machine simply can't. It is a pain that there are additional technical barriers if game devs don't make their products work on this machine, but the existence of titles that can't be run shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

you cant play a game, because you hardware is too old. thats sth all pc gamers know

but this is a new kind of "the game dont work"
hitman absolution comes in my mind. the games DRM makes it impossible to play with proton

it should run smoothly if you take a look at the system Requirements. thats new to windows users and valve should make that very clear

yes it is a problem you can easily fix with a DRM FREE .exe (the game was free on gog. steam still has DRM), but still could cause some troubles for customers

Quoting: F.Ultra

Quoting: Appelsin

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?

Nah it's a conspiracy to dismantle 7th of June 1905 and bring you guys back in the caring arms of Mother Svea

Söta bror is devious, indeed!

Quoting: Tuxee

Quoting: Appelsin

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?

Last time I checked Luxembourg was still part of the European Union. Did they leave in silence?

They are? Then you've just corrected a misunderstanding I've had since early school xD I though they were outside, like us. I could have sworn they've always been mentioned in the same breath as the non-EU-member-trade-agreements we have and such things. But that may have been for other reasons then. TIL something basic x)

To rain a little on everyone's parade (mine included), people on another gaming website I go to have been saying en masse how it's an instant Windows install for it to be even remotely useful. That's what the "general public" thinks, unfortunately :-(

Quoting: damarrinTo rain a little on everyone's parade (mine included), people on another gaming website I go to have been saying en masse how it's an instant Windows install for it to be even remotely useful. That's what the "general public" thinks, unfortunately :-(

I think realistically only a very tiny percentage of people are interested in installing OSes at all. And many of those who do, would prefer Linux. Regular user simply isn't interested or not even sure how to install an OS, no matter Linux or Windows. So I wouldn't worry about the above at all.

So if you want to analyze the "general public" - it's a major plus that device is coming with Linux preinstalled, because that's what they'll be using.


Last edited by Shmerl on 19 July 2021 at 8:26 am UTC

Quoting: damarrinTo rain a little on everyone's parade (mine included), people on another gaming website I go to have been saying en masse how it's an instant Windows install for it to be even remotely useful. That's what the "general public" thinks, unfortunately :-(

Well, while I fear too many will, taking loud people on the net for the "general public" might also lead to the impression that most people wouldn't like to have a Covid vaccination...

Heh, good point on covid vaccination... I was perhaps to general with the "general public" statement. It's probably more "Windows power users" who are proficient there and don't even consider anything other than Windows is to be used and particularly don't want to learn anything new. These are the people who go around on- and offline telling everyone who'll listen (insert "general public" here) Windows is the way to go. They are sizeable and very vocal and do MS's marketing for them.

Quoting: Shmerl

Quoting: damarrinTo rain a little on everyone's parade (mine included), people on another gaming website I go to have been saying en masse how it's an instant Windows install for it to be even remotely useful. That's what the "general public" thinks, unfortunately :-(

I think realistically only a very tiny percentage of people are interested in installing OSes at all. And many of those who do, would prefer Linux. Regular user simply isn't interested or not even sure how to install an OS, no matter Linux or Windows. So I wouldn't worry about the above at all.

So if you want to analyze the "general public" - it's a major plus that device is coming with Linux preinstalled, because that's what they'll be using.

I also share this concern than most people will put Windows on it, even if Valve nailed Proton compatibility and performance, those who use the Microsoft Gamepass will want it on the device too and we can't do anything against that.

Quoting: SpykerI also share this concern than most people will put Windows on it, even if Valve nailed Proton compatibility and performance, those who use the Microsoft Gamepass will want it on the device too and we can't do anything against that.

I think a lot of people will just play it as is, no different to any other handheld or console. If people want to install Windows, they can and probably will end up regretting it if it doesn't work exactly as hoped for. They probably will blame Valve too, but better that than it being a locked down device, and they can always go back to SteamOS setup as no warranty or secure feature tripped. As long as the majority are happy and it boosts the overall success, they can complain all they like in their reddit corners. Maybe we will even see some converted if they rage on a Windows install then realise SteamOS works well.

I would have reserved the medium model day one, but unfortunately it's not available in the EEA countries.

Quoting: slaapliedjeIt has been pointed out that the person driving the car in the image with the kid in the back seat at https://www.steamdeck.com/en/hardware is driving it wrong. That isn't how you drive a Tesla!

How so? I've only been driving a Tesla for a couple of weeks, but I can't tell what's wrong with the image.

EDIT: Assuming it's this image we're talking about: https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamdeck/images/factorio-cover.jpg

That looks perfectly normal to me.


Last edited by flesk on 19 July 2021 at 10:16 am UTC

Quoting: damarrinHeh, good point on covid vaccination... I was perhaps to general with the "general public" statement. It's probably more "Windows power users" who are proficient there and don't even consider anything other than Windows is to be used and particularly don't want to learn anything new. These are the people who go around on- and offline telling everyone who'll listen (insert "general public" here) Windows is the way to go. They are sizeable and very vocal and do MS's marketing for them.

The term for it is cognitive dissonance. If you've built up your image of yourself as being exceptionally competent in a particular field, say, being shown that you're actually clueless is deeply uncomfortable. Lashing out at the perceived cause of that discomfort is a means of (temporarily) resolving the psychological stress.

Plus some people just like punching down.


Last edited by CatKiller on 19 July 2021 at 10:50 am UTC

Quoting: Appelsin

Quoting: Tuxee

Quoting: Appelsin

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?

Last time I checked Luxembourg was still part of the European Union. Did they leave in silence?

They are? Then you've just corrected a misunderstanding I've had since early school xD I though they were outside, like us. I could have sworn they've always been mentioned in the same breath as the non-EU-member-trade-agreements we have and such things. But that may have been for other reasons then. TIL something basic x)

You're probably thinking of Liechtenstein, which is one of the EEA countries, in addition to Norway and Iceland. I get those mixed up all the time too, in spite of having worked on a case processing project to facilitate exchange of social security agreements between EU and EEA member states (plus bilateral agreements) for a couple of years.

Actually, the EEA is an agreement between the EU and those three countries, according to Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Economic_Area

See, this stuff is confusing!


Last edited by flesk on 19 July 2021 at 10:28 am UTC

Quoting: fleskI would have reserved the medium model day one, but unfortunately it's not available in the EEA countries.

Quoting: slaapliedjeIt has been pointed out that the person driving the car in the image with the kid in the back seat at https://www.steamdeck.com/en/hardware is driving it wrong. That isn't how you drive a Tesla!

How so? I've only been driving a Tesla for a couple of weeks, but I can't tell what's wrong with the image.

EDIT: Assuming it's this image we're talking about: https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamdeck/images/factorio-cover.jpg

That looks perfectly normal to me.

My guess would be it's a joke about how you're "supposed" to be using self-driving and going hands-free, but I'm just spit-balling.

Hopefully with what seems like the massive interest shown so far Valve will step up manufacturing (to the degree they're able to do so) and introduce it to more regions soon.

Quoting: Appelsin

Quoting: Tuxee

Quoting: Appelsin

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?

Last time I checked Luxembourg was still part of the European Union. Did they leave in silence?

They are? Then you've just corrected a misunderstanding I've had since early school xD I though they were outside, like us. I could have sworn they've always been mentioned in the same breath as the non-EU-member-trade-agreements we have and such things. But that may have been for other reasons then. TIL something basic x)

Luxemburg is not only one of the founding members of the EU, they are also one of the 4 official capitals of EU :-)

Quoting: Philadelphus

Quoting: fleskAssuming it's this image we're talking about: https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamdeck/images/factorio-cover.jpg

That looks perfectly normal to me.

My guess would be it's a joke about how you're "supposed" to be using self-driving and going hands-free, but I'm just spit-balling.

That sounds plausible. I haven't tried a Tesla with FSD features myself, but from what I've heard, current versions of it will complain if you try to take your hands off the steering wheel. Maybe that depends on local traffic law.

Quoting: damarrinHeh, good point on covid vaccination... I was perhaps to general with the "general public" statement. It's probably more "Windows power users" who are proficient there and don't even consider anything other than Windows is to be used and particularly don't want to learn anything new. These are the people who go around on- and offline telling everyone who'll listen (insert "general public" here) Windows is the way to go. They are sizeable and very vocal and do MS's marketing for them.

Aye. Those people are there, and in absolute numbers there are quite a few of them. But really, an awful lot of computer users don't know what Windows is.
My wife of 25 years is an intelligent person but it was only a few years ago that there was a reason to have a conversation with her and really explain just what "Windows" is, what an operating system is, what the difference is between the operating system and a program running in the operating system, such as a browser . . . didn't help that this was in the context of her new Chromebook doing its best to muddle the distinction . . . The point is, she uses computers but doesn't normally think about them, she just clicks the icon that makes it do what she wants. She's older, but as far as I can tell the younger supposedly all tech-savvy generation is pretty much the same--they're just really comfortable clicking those icons, but they mostly don't look beneath that.


Last edited by Purple Library Guy on 19 July 2021 at 6:06 pm UTC