Steam Deck
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Deck.
Latest coverage
"Rockstar literally just spent over a billion dollars": Ori studio founder wants you to stop demanding 60 FPS on Xbox Series S just because GTA 6 can run on it
Moon Studios founder Thomas Mahler criticized players demanding 60 FPS on the Xbox Series S, using Grand Theft Auto 6 as a benchmark. He highlighted the vast difference in resources between Rockstar Games and smaller studios, emphasizing that GTA 6's performance is not a guaranteed standard for all games on the console. Mahler also pointed out the technical limitations of the Xbox Series S compared to PC hardware like the Steam Deck.
The Steam Frame is ‘just around the corner’ but the Steam Machine has already killed my interest — only Half-Life could save it now
Despite a developer's tease that the Steam Frame VR headset is launching soon, the author expresses a lack of excitement due to the high price and past disappointment with the Steam Machine. The article suggests that only a new exclusive Half-Life game could potentially salvage interest in Valve's upcoming VR hardware, though the author personally is not a fan of the series.
Why Are Video Game Consoles So Expensive These Days (And Games Historically Cheap)?
Video game consoles and games are becoming increasingly expensive due to a confluence of factors including tariffs, AI-driven demand for components, and a structural shift in the console business model. Experts predict hardware costs will remain high for several more years, potentially impacting future console generations like the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix.
Why Online Games Are More Accessible Than Ever | Invision Game Community
Technologies like Unreal Engine and Unity, alongside cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now, have made online games more accessible than ever. These advancements allow players to enjoy games across various devices without needing powerful hardware, fostering a broader and more engaged gaming community, though a stable internet connection remains essential.
Mortal Shell 2 review - falls short of Elden Ring's greatness
Mortal Shell 2 attempts to emulate Elden Ring's open-world success but falls short in navigation, though its combat and shell system offer a thrilling Soulslike experience. The game features interconnected areas, a dark-fantasy setting, and a unique shell mechanic where players embody fallen individuals, each with distinct backstories and skills. While the boss fights are challenging and enjoyable, and the combat offers flexibility, the open world can feel hollow and frustrating to explore, leading the reviewer to prefer Elden Ring.
Fields of Mistria review
Fields of Mistria is a farming simulator that stands out with its exceptionally well-written characters and dialogue, drawing inspiration from '90s anime. While it shares core mechanics with games like Stardew Valley, its strength lies in the depth and earnestness of its character interactions and narrative. The game encourages hands-on engagement with farming and crafting, prioritizing player involvement over automation, and offers a charming, nostalgic experience on PC.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls review
Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls offers an innovative 4v4 tag fighter experience with a low skill floor and high skill ceiling, making it accessible to both newcomers and veterans. While the gameplay and character movesets are praised, the PC version suffers from significant performance issues and a mandatory PSN sign-in, creating a clear quality difference compared to the console version.
Epic Games Store is going to support Linux 'soon' — and that's great news for Steam Deck owners
Epic Games has announced that its PC storefront will soon offer native support for Linux, a move that will greatly benefit Steam Deck owners and other Linux gamers. This development coincides with Nvidia's official launch of its GeForce Now app for Linux and GOG's work on a native Linux client for its Galaxy platform. However, games with anti-cheat measures, such as Epic's own Fortnite, will likely remain incompatible.
If you're not paying attention to retro game recompilations, you're missing the most exciting thing in gaming…
The article argues that retro game recompilations, which involve reverse-engineering and rewriting old game code for modern hardware, represent the most exciting development in gaming. These fan-made projects offer enhanced graphics, accessibility options, and improved performance, often surpassing official preservation efforts. While facing challenges like low-effort AI-generated content, the scene is rapidly growing with numerous notable recompilations and more anticipated.
Wild Blue Skies Review – Old school, new tricks
Wild Blue Skies is a charming on-rails shooter that successfully blends classic arcade gameplay with a vibrant Saturday morning cartoon aesthetic. While the narrative is surface-level and the weapon controls can be awkward, the game excels with its tight gameplay, satisfying boss encounters, branching paths, and superb art and sound direction. It offers a replayable and joyful experience, particularly on the Steam Deck, making it a standout title that doesn't rely solely on nostalgia.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the Steam Boy, a Steam Deck crammed inside a Game Boy-like chassis
A Reddit user has created a custom 'Steam Boy' by fitting a Steam Deck's motherboard, battery, and speakers into a Game Boy-sized 3D-printed chassis. While the controls have been significantly reduced, the project aims to create a more compact handheld gaming PC. The next steps involve integrating a screen and triggers.
Class Is in Session: GeForce NOW Levels Up Linux, Chromebooks and More
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service has officially launched its native Linux application out of beta, offering improved performance and stability. The service also received optimizations for DLSS Frame Generation, reducing latency and enhancing responsiveness. Additionally, GeForce NOW is enhancing its accessibility on Chromebooks, allowing students to use their school devices for high-performance PC gaming, with eligible new owners receiving a free year of service through Chromebook Fast Pass.
Big Walk review: A thoughtful puzzle game that takes co-op communication to new levels
Big Walk is a co-op puzzle game developed by House House and published by Panic, focusing on communication and cooperation between players. The game features thoughtful puzzles set on an island, with players needing to rely on each other to solve challenges and collect items. It is available on PC and has a verified status on Steam Deck.
Raptor: Call of the Shadows - An Amiga 68060 RTG / PiStorm port is in the works!
A new port of the 1994 PC DOS shoot-'em-up Raptor: Call of the Shadows is in development for the Commodore Amiga, utilizing AI assistance and open-source code. The project has achieved milestones like menu and input support on RTG graphics, with ongoing work to optimize performance on PiStorm and other accelerators. Community testing will begin once audio bugs are resolved, requiring users to provide their own original game data.
The Steam Frame needs to be more than a cool device if Valve want to reshape the VR market
The VR market is facing a decline in headset shipments and studio closures, with a shift away from mid-range devices towards high-end or AR/XR alternatives. Despite Meta's continued dominance and some internal successes with its Quest ecosystem, the overall VR gaming landscape struggles with visibility and the high cost of developing tentpole titles. Valve's upcoming Steam Frame faces challenges related to pricing and a lack of compelling exclusive content, suggesting VR may become an integrated feature rather than a standalone market.
Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 is a miracle port – and a reminder the RPG still isn't fixed
The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 is a surprisingly capable port, retaining key Unreal Engine 5 features like Lumen lighting and Nanite geometry despite visual compromises in handheld mode. While the port successfully brings the 2006 RPG to a new platform with impressive visuals, it inherits the original's technical issues, leading to stuttering and performance hiccups that tarnish the overall experience.
SteamOS's latest update includes 'preliminary support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter'
The latest beta update for SteamOS, version 3.8.25, includes preliminary support for the Steam Frame Wireless Adapter. This suggests that Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, may be closer to launch than previously anticipated, despite potential component supply issues.
Knytt, one of 2006's most charming indie platformers, has a surprise Steam re-release - and it’s still free
The charming 2006 freeware platformer Knytt has received a surprise re-release on Steam as Knytt Classic. Developed by Bit Kid, Inc. with the original creator Nifflas' blessing, this version offers a pixel-perfect port with added controller support, optional time tracking, and new difficulty modes, including one by Baba Is You developer Arvi Teikari. Knytt Classic is available for free on PC and is compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
Redditor somehow turns a Steam Deck into a Game Boy — and I'm loving the 'SteamBoy'
A modder has successfully integrated the internal components of a Valve Steam Deck into a custom case designed to resemble a classic Game Boy, creating a 'SteamBoy'. While the project is still a work in progress with the screen not yet functional, the DIY hardware mod has garnered significant interest from gamers who appreciate the retro aesthetic and the ingenuity of the build.
Ayaneo reveals yet another GBA clone colorway, but I'm not sure why it waited until it sold over 15,000 handhelds…
Ayaneo has released new colorways for its KONKR Pocket Advance GBA-style handheld, including a transparent 'Onyx Ice' variant, despite having already sold over 15,000 units. The new transparent model is priced higher than previous versions, starting at $109 and going up to $149 for the 4GB/64GB configuration. This strategy of drip-feeding new options post-launch has drawn criticism, with some buyers feeling disgruntled.
