Valve has given a short update on the dev-kits for the upcoming Linux powered handheld Steam Deck, with more developers being able to get their hands on it soon.
Writing on Steam the team said "All packaged up and ready for devs! This is one of the limited batches of Steam Deck dev-kits heading out today for partners to test their games. These engineering verification test builds allow us to connect developers with units that are functionally identical to what will ship to you.
Since we are still in the final stages of development, the dev-kit program gives us the chance to guide game developers through the process of getting their games on Steam Deck while also continuing to gather their feedback as we prepare for the official launch at the end of the year.
Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots of developer units getting their last few updates before making their way out the door."
A few developers do already have theirs though. We've seen that Garry Newman of Facepunch already commented that Rust "runs good" on the Steam Deck and they're working with Easy Anti-Cheat to get it all hooked up, we saw the Phil Spencer of Xbox had access too and commented on Halo, Age of Empires and xCloud working nicely.
Now we've also seen that Terraria developer Re-Logic also has access as they commented on Twitter to say "Terraria + @Steam Deck, perfect combination for your adventures!". What's interesting about this picture is how blue the inside of the case is. We've now seen a white one and a blue one but we still don't know which people will get as all models offer a carrying case but the top-end model has an "Exclusive carrying case".
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Quoting: BielFPsWith Valve stating that they "don't need" I doubt it, the good side is that if deck makes success in the mainstream (without most of them installing windows on it) then studios will develop native versions anyway because games perform better without the need of Proton.
Don't need to is kind of tricky here. They don't need to, but they might want to from the start, to make the quality better sooner rather than later.
I.e. I think "don't need to" is more of an attraction tactic than actual recommendation here. So it really depends on the approach of those studios and how much quality and performance are a priority in their view.
I think even CDPR CEO said in the past that if Valve will actually make a Linux console, they'll start making native versions. So I'm curious whether this will actually happen or it was empty talk.
Last edited by Shmerl on 15 September 2021 at 2:08 am UTC
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Quoting: ShmerlI think even CDPR CEO said in the past that if Valve will actually make a Linux console, they'll start making native versions. So I'm curious whether this will actually happen or it was empty talk.
Well, Valve already made a Linux console and CDPR did nothing. They have been promising Linux support for Witcher 3 and GOG Galaxy for years now, and still not managed to do so. I don't expect that to change anytime soon... so I don't buy from them.
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I don't think native games are gonna happen. I just hope developers will start fixing their games that are broken with Proton, not holding my breath though.
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slaapliedje Sep 15, 2021
Quoting: BielFPsWith Valve stating that they "don't need" I doubt it, the good side is that if deck makes success in the mainstream (without most of them installing windows on it) then studios will develop native versions anyway because games perform better without the need of Proton.The thing is, not qll games are available on Steam. Like the latest Assassins Creed games. Some of Ubisoft's best sellers are still exclusive to their store. So will they release a native... whatevever their thing is called, used to be Uplay, but they changed the name for some reason...
Games that launch their own launcher then require Proton to support both things. Definitely would be nice to get as much to be native as possible here...
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Quoting: FrawoWell, Valve already made a Linux console and CDPR did nothing.
They did something. They hired VP to do their TW2 port and they probably intended to let them continue with TW3. But since the Steam Machines went nowhere, so did their efforts.
Definitely interesting to know whether they would come back and do it for real if the Steam Deck takes off. Even a Vulkan engine in the game would be a big step.
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Quoting: EhvisThe shitstorm for the initially really bad port was probably enough to make them stay away. TW3 was never announced by CDPR.Quoting: FrawoWell, Valve already made a Linux console and CDPR did nothing.
They did something. They hired VP to do their TW2 port and they probably intended to let them continue with TW3. But since the Steam Machines went nowhere, so did their efforts.
Definitely interesting to know whether they would come back and do it for real if the Steam Deck takes off. Even a Vulkan engine in the game would be a big step.
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Quoting: ShmerlSo it really depends on the approach of those studios and how much quality and performance are a priority in their view.If it already "works with acceptable performance" with proton, then don't expect studios to "waste" money modifying games just to support linux, unless somehow this guarantee a number of new sales to compensate for it. If we're talking about new releases, then "deck support" will have to prove itself first with the mainstream market, and it's cheaper for competitors like Epic and GoG to convince users to install Windows (like they already do) rather than spent money porting it.
Of course I'm not saying this is the best pro consumer attitude, but it's the unfortunately reality of the market.
Quoting: slaapliedjeThe thing is, not qll games are available on Steam. Like the latest Assassins Creed games. Some of Ubisoft's best sellers are still exclusive to their store.Those non-steam contents are not concern to Valve, despite being able to install on steam deck somehow. And for competitors makes less sense to spent money porting their games just to benefit their main competitor system, since steam deck will be hardly attached to steam system as default.
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slaapliedje Sep 15, 2021
Quoting: BielFPsAre they really competitors though? Sure they do have their own stores, and their own sales, but the sales usually coincide... they make money off both... And it'd be in their interest to have a 'Ubiconnect' or whatever icon on the Steam Deck for purchasing straight from them if possible. The question is, would Valve allow this? Possibly as they don't like exclusives.Quoting: ShmerlSo it really depends on the approach of those studios and how much quality and performance are a priority in their view.If it already "works with acceptable performance" with proton, then don't expect studios to "waste" money modifying games just to support linux, unless somehow this guarantee a number of new sales to compensate for it. If we're talking about new releases, then "deck support" will have to prove itself first with the mainstream market, and it's cheaper for competitors like Epic and GoG to convince users to install Windows (like they already do) rather than spent money porting it.
Of course I'm not saying this is the best pro consumer attitude, but it's the unfortunately reality of the market.
Quoting: slaapliedjeThe thing is, not qll games are available on Steam. Like the latest Assassins Creed games. Some of Ubisoft's best sellers are still exclusive to their store.Those non-steam contents are not concern to Valve, despite being able to install on steam deck somehow. And for competitors makes less sense to spent money porting their games just to benefit their main competitor system, since steam deck will be hardly attached to steam system as default.
As far as the improvements to Linux versions, they may need to do something for the smaller form factor anyhow, and joystick support. Think of this as a new game system rather than just 'It runs Linux' and then think of companies thinking that. Also that if you have your Steam settings set up correctly, it'll only suggest you buy Linux native games... :)
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Quoting: slaapliedjepetitors though? Sure they do have their own stores, and their own sales, but the sales usually coincide... they make money off both... And it'd be in their interest to have a 'Ubiconnect' or whatever icon on the Steam Deck for purchasing straight from them if possible. The question is, would Valve allow this? Possibly as they don't like exclusives.Well, it comes with a browser. If you want the Ubisoft store on your Steam Deck you google it and bookmark it. I can't see Valve going to extra effort to stick a built in button front and centre.
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Quoting: FrawoWell, Valve already made a Linux console and CDPR did nothing. They have been promising Linux support for Witcher 3 and GOG Galaxy for years now, and still not managed to do so. I don't expect that to change anytime soon... so I don't buy from them.
You could argue the other side, that Valve's effort with Steam Machines was half baked, lacked marketing push and in practice didn't really succeed as a product. Valve seem to be way more serious about Steam Deck, so the above point that Marcin Iwiński was making is more relevant.
So I'm actually looking forward to CDPR commenting on feasibility of making native Linux games in the new situation.
Last edited by Shmerl on 15 September 2021 at 5:10 pm UTC
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