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.
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...
Quoting: ShmerlI 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: 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.
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.
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: AppelsinQuoting: TuxeeQuoting: AppelsinQuoteCurrently 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
Philadelphus Jul 19, 2021
Quoting: fleskI would have reserved the medium model day one, but unfortunately it's not available in the EEA countries.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.
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.
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: AppelsinQuoting: TuxeeQuoting: AppelsinQuoteCurrently 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: PhiladelphusQuoting: fleskAssuming it's this image we're talking about: https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steamdeck/images/factorio-cover.jpgMy 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 looks perfectly normal to me.
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.
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