Valheim should now start faster and perform better when CPU bound with a fresh upgrade

While the developers of Valheim continue working on the Deep North biome, they've released another smaller update with some fixes and improvements to make the game smoother.

Patch 0.220.3 just went live to the stable branch for everyone to play. This update includes "Optimized Asset Bundles" they say will reduce "start-up times by up to 75%, build size by up to 35% and memory usage by 110 MB" and help with the size of future patches. On top of that, UI rendering has been improved and players should see improved FPS by "5-10% when CPU bound".

Changes for all platforms:

* Optimized Asset Bundles, reducing start-up times by up to 75%, build size by up to 35% and memory usage by 110 MB. Should also reduce the download size of future patches.
* Optimized UI rendering, improving FPS by 5-10% when CPU bound
* Fixed memory leak that occurred when generating subsequent new worlds
* Changed certain sound files to be loaded in background, reducing some specific lag spikes
* Added a fix for movement to behave the same when holding down secondary attack while moving with the gamepad as on keyboard.
* Removed “Detailed particle systems” from Graphics settings and make the “off” setting the default.
* Added a fix to allocate less memory and lower execution time for certain types of input
* Fixed a bug that caused inaccurate collision detection between AoEs and characters in multiplayer scenarios, e.g. sometimes catching on fire even when not walking into the fire.
* Fixed mouse being stuck held down after naming a map pin with virtual keyboard.
* Improved chat message and sign compliance with platform privileges, parental controls and local block list
* Game now shows in-game player names in Player List for cross-network users as well
* Reduced memory usage of profile pictures in Player List
* Fixed a bug where tooltips in settings menu did not show up in-game
* Fixed a freeze that could occur when changing the permitted list
* Boss and death map icons are no longer manually placeable via controller
* Asksvin trophy icon now matches the colour of the actual trophy
* Cooked Asksvin Tail and Roasted Crust Pie no longer sparkle when attached to an itemstand
* Tweaked snap points of Ashwood Stakewalls for better alignment
* Tweaked snap points for Grausten wall 2x2 for better alignment
* Grausten arches are now allowed to be placed in different orientations in the same position
* Grausten Roof Corner no longer changes position when damaged
* Blackmarble floor triangle and tip are no longer burnable
* Fixed an issue that made some events able to trigger without their conditions being met
* Hiding UI with CTRL + F3 now also hides sailing UI and Pause Menu UI
* A brief message is now shown when hiding UI using a gamepad
* Updated localization

As part of the teasers for work on the Deep North biome, they have begun a series of videos of a character going off exploring it. Parts 1 and 2 are currently available:

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It has Native Linux support and is Steam Deck Verified.