Can You Play Any Game on Steam on the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck, a handheld gaming device from Valve, has been generating a lot of excitement in the gaming community. One of the main questions on everyone’s mind is: "Can I play any game on Steam on the Steam Deck?" In this article, we’ll dive into the answer and provide insights on what you can and cannot do with the Steam Deck.
Direct Answer: Yes, You Can Play Most Games on Steam on the Steam Deck
While the Steam Deck is capable of playing most Steam games, it’s important to note that not all games will run on the device. According to Valve, over 10,000 Steam games are fully compatible with the Steam Deck, which includes popular titles like Fortnite, Overwatch, and Rocket League. However, there are some limitations and exceptions to keep in mind, which we’ll discuss below.
Factors Affecting Compatibility
- System Requirements: Games that are too demanding for the Steam Deck’s hardware may not run smoothly or may encounter performance issues. If a game has high system requirements, it’s more likely to be incompatible.
- Proton Compatibility: Some games may have issues running on Proton, Valve’s compatibility layer for non-Linux games. Games that have been optimized for Linux may perform better on the Steam Deck.
- Controller Support: Some games may have difficulty recognizing the Steam Deck’s controller or may not be designed to accommodate the device’s controls.
- Graphics and Resolution: Older games may not be able to run at high resolutions or with the latest graphics drivers, which can affect performance and quality.
Games That Won’t Play on the Steam Deck
- ROM-based Games: The Steam Deck does not support ROM-based games, such as those downloaded from torrents or other illegal sources.
- Disc-based Games: Some disc-based games may not be compatible with the Steam Deck, especially if they have DRM (digital rights management) protection that restricts playback on other devices.
- Web-based Games: The Steam Deck is not a browser, so you cannot play web-based games or use your browser to play games.
Other Uses for the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck is not just limited to playing Steam games. You can also use it to:
• Stream Games from Your PC: The Steam Deck supports streaming of games from your PC to the device using Steam’s streaming technology.
• Browse the Steam Store: You can browse and purchase games from the Steam store on your device.
• Chat and Video-Conference: The Steam Deck allows voice chat and video-conferencing for online multiplayer gaming.
• Share Games with Friends: You can gift games to friends or join parties to play with others.
Key Takeaways
- The Steam Deck can play most Steam games that are compatible with Linux and are optimized for the device.
- Game compatibility may be affected by system requirements, controller support, and graphics capabilities.
- There are some exceptions, including ROM-based and web-based games, which are not supported on the device.
- The Steam Deck has other useful features, such as game streaming, streaming gameplay, and online multiplayer.
Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious newcomer, the Steam Deck promises to be an exciting device that combines the best of PC gaming with the portability of a handheld console. While it has its limitations, the Steam Deck opens up new possibilities for gamers to enjoy their favorite games on the go.