We do often include affiliate links to earn us some pennies. See more here.

No Man's Sky Sentinel Update gets 'specially optimised' for Steam Deck

By - | Views: 28,805

Seems if you want to do a little space exploration and building, No Man's Sky might be the place to be - with the Sentinel update out now. This brings with it enhancements for the Steam Deck.

There is of course a huge amount of other changes, but we have a special interest right now for obvious reasons. Hello Games noted that it will "support Steam Deck from launch" plus it has: a number of specific Steam Deck optimisations, support for Steam Deck controls and support for Steam Deck touch input. So they've clearly put some effort in on this one.

As for the content included there's multiple fierce new robotic enemies, Multi-Tool overhaul with a new Neutron Cannon weapon, AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution support, a Cloaking Device, a new Exobiology Expedition, an overhaul to the combat systems, NVIDIA DLAA, more companions and the list goes on.

YouTube Thumbnail
YouTube videos require cookies, you must accept their cookies to view. View cookie preferences.
Accept Cookies & Show   Direct Link

On their special update page, the title for the Steam Deck section is "Native Steam Deck Support", although it's not clear what kind of "Native" they actually mean - as right now there's still only the Windows build on Steam. It's most likely they mean supporting it through Steam Play Proton, just with their Deck-specific upgrades.

You can buy No Man's Sky from Humble Store and Steam. Both stores have it with 50% off right now.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
13 Likes
About the author -
author picture
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
See more from me
The comments on this article are closed.
31 comments
Page: «2/4»
  Go to:

CatKiller Feb 16, 2022
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Purple Library GuyI don't see what would be in it for anyone doing that, anyway. "We've released it for the Deck, but wait! What if some Linux user goes and buys it? They might give us money and play the game, and then where would we be?!"
The thing that game developers are nervous about is someone installing it on some obscure and broken distro, it not working, and then them leaving a negative review or wanting a bug fix. The developers know that they don't want negative reviews and don't think that they'll want to do a bug fix, and aren't experienced enough to judge whether distro fragmentation or single-distro breakage are widespread problems.
Purple Library Guy Feb 16, 2022
Quoting: CatKiller
Quoting: Purple Library GuyI don't see what would be in it for anyone doing that, anyway. "We've released it for the Deck, but wait! What if some Linux user goes and buys it? They might give us money and play the game, and then where would we be?!"
The thing that game developers are nervous about is someone installing it on some obscure and broken distro, it not working, and then them leaving a negative review or wanting a bug fix. The developers know that they don't want negative reviews and don't think that they'll want to do a bug fix, and aren't experienced enough to judge whether distro fragmentation or single-distro breakage are widespread problems.
You'd think just saying, like the developers of that one game with an article today (um, Thumper) did, that it's supported on Steam Deck but not on Linux generally, would be enough to deal with that, without going to the trouble of actually blocking people from using your game.
CatKiller Feb 16, 2022
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: Purple Library GuyYou'd think just saying, like the developers of that one game with an article today (um, Thumper) did, that it's supported on Steam Deck but not on Linux generally, would be enough to deal with that, without going to the trouble of actually blocking people from using your game.
For sure, and as more developers follow Valve's guidance of installing and using actual Linux to test with I think there won't even be much of that as time goes on. But game devs in particular do find themselves drawn to This One Weird Trick and are often pressed for time.
slaapliedje Feb 16, 2022
Quoting: Purple Library Guy
Quoting: CatKiller
Quoting: slaapliedjeMy only real fear would be if companies started releasing 'native' versions for the Deck, and figure out some sort of check so you can't run it on normal Linux desktops with a game pad.

It wouldn't be especially hard to do, but it would make Valve cross. Valve have lots of ways they could dissuade that behaviour, but simply saying, "this makes us cross" would probably be sufficient.
I don't see what would be in it for anyone doing that, anyway. "We've released our game for the Deck, but wait! What if some Linux user goes and buys it? They might give us money and play the game, and then where would we be?!"
Ha, I have seriously seen some users at least be very much of that mindset where 'oh my god, if you support other users... than somehow that means you support me LESS!'

Really the thing that could prevent normal Linux users from playing Deck games is if the controller was very much tied to the inputs the Deck has, which is similar, but not quite the same as say the Steam Controller. So there is always the potential of 'plays best with X controller' type thing.

Then again, how many games written for the PS5 use Dual Sense, for example. Far too many controller gimmicks are cool, but usually under used, making them just gimmicks.
CatKiller Feb 16, 2022
View PC info
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: slaapliedjeReally the thing that could prevent normal Linux users from playing Deck games is if the controller was very much tied to the inputs the Deck has, which is similar, but not quite the same as say the Steam Controller. So there is always the potential of 'plays best with X controller' type thing.
Valve are also covering that aspect. Your game needs the touchscreen or the invoke-keyboard button (which other controllers don't have)?: no green checkmark for you.
Mountain Man Feb 16, 2022
Quoting: rustybroomhandle
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: CatKillerI expect that we'll get this kind of muddled language from developers for a while, where they're contemplating the Deck as a console and not thinking about Linux at all.
Because that's how Valve is marketing it. The Deck is not being presented as a Linux device but as a Steam device. You won't find the word "Linux" in any of their marketing.

To the consumer, yes. The OS should be irrelevant to the user experience.

The developer communication is very clear about it being Linux though.

Ultimately, the developers only care about a game running well enough to convince a customer to buy it, so I don't think they really care if they support Linux directly with native builds or indirectly through Proton as long as customers are willing to buy.
denyasis Feb 16, 2022
Good thing they added Deck Support. I'd say this is one of few developers doing Proton support properly and I'm glad they do.

I played the game last year. Ran great via proton, although I think I had the same problem with it that I had with Elite: Dangerous. I struggled to feel "connected" with the world. Everything felt very sterile (I'm not sure if that's the right word)?

Perhaps I had the wrong expectations. I don't think I'm the right target for a crafting type game.

It's still a nice game though. Hopefully that'll get more devs interested in the Deck and Linux in general.
mZSq7Fq3qs Feb 17, 2022
I truly did enjoy all the lying and misspromotion of HELLO GAMES and all that sweet drama. But after all these years it might finally be time to buy this game.
Vasya Sovari Feb 17, 2022
I'm almost impressed they've managed to get this working just fine on SteamDeck but STILL haven't managed controller support.
It's the one and only reason I never play this game.
rustybroomhandle Feb 17, 2022
Quoting: undeadbydawnI'm almost impressed they've managed to get this working just fine on SteamDeck but STILL haven't managed controller support.
It's the one and only reason I never play this game.

What specifically is wrong with its controller support?
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
The comments on this article are closed.