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Valve improves Steam Deck offline mode with more to come

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Valve has put out a small upgrade for the Steam Deck in the Beta and Preview channels that seeks to improve the offline mode. This is a much needed fix.

We've seen quite a few complaints about issues with offline mode and when the Steam Deck just doesn't have an internet connection, so it's nice to see Valve put out some adjustments.

Here's what's changed:

  • Fixed issue where rebooting while in Steam Offline Mode would cause games to fail to launch.
  • Fixed the Cloud Sync error notification popping up when offline.
  • Disabled Steam Offline Mode button when not connected to the internet, as trying to do this currently gets Steam Deck into a bad state.
    • This change disables this button but does not in any way affect your ability to play games without an active Internet connection.

Valve also said they're "continuing to look at making the user experience of playing games without an Internet connection a better, more intuitive experience".

The problem of course is that Steam is an online store, and until now they haven't really needed to do all that much with offline mode since they largely assumed people were always online. With the Steam Deck though, that's not the case, it's a handheld designed to be taken with you so it's another older area of Steam to need some effort.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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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.
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6 comments

jordicoma Aug 16, 2022
SteamDeck it's a pc, so it shouldn't have anything as guaranteed, not even a keyboard or a monitor.
I hate the "always online" policy on some games. When you have the game on the device and you don't want to play an online match, there is no need to be online.
Steam it's a launcher, so there is no need to be online, or have screen, as you can lauch even some servers that doesn't need it.
based Aug 16, 2022
Great to hear! Hope they remove the cloud sync error window when I start games in offline mode on PC version as well, as it sometimes doesn't show when you start game from tray icon, until you open Steam and interact with the window.
BlackBloodRum Aug 16, 2022
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Nice!

Now, we just need to get game devs to do the same.

Although with games I legally purchased that don't let me access DLC or play without a internet on the deck, I've just been giving them an "unofficial update" to give me access to what I paid for

(Yes, Ubisoft, I'm looking at you!)
soulsource Aug 16, 2022
I'd already be happy if I wouldn't get logged out randomly while not having internet (and therefore no way to log back in).
slaapliedje Aug 17, 2022
Nice, mine took a few tries some weeks back to go into offline mode.
Philadelphus Aug 17, 2022
That's cool. I haven't had any problems with offline mode yet, but it's clearly very important for a portable computer, so I'm glad to see Valve giving it some appropriate attention.
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