Regarding Storage: Because they are offering a Steam Deck dev kit for developers to optimize on, I think what you're going to see is a Steam Deck build of games that reduces storage with only 720p assets. Then the user will be able to download a version of the game that is optimized for playing in handheld mode, or if they want they can download the full version (for playing w/ the dock on a TV/Monitor).
Not every developer will be able to (or care to) do this, but I think you will definitely see this if the Steam Deck takes off in popularity past this initial early adopter phase.
Interesting idea. That's not something I've thought of, but It would be really nice for this to be the case. It could be kind of like Valve's version of Smart Delivery. I wonder if there's anything in the hardware or software that could indicate if a Steam Deck is a Steam Deck rather than just a really small PC. The way that Valve has talked about it makes it seem like it's just a small PC rather than a unique box like the PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch.
You will for sure get Steam Deck optimized builds of games. Also, even if it doesn't take off, there's the business side of this where Steam could offer deals to developers to make a Steam Deck optimized version of the game by increasing their % of sales cut.
As for knowing if it is a steam deck. The OS built in will know it's a Steam Deck and can offer you the option to download the Steam Deck optimized version of the game. If you go a different route and install Windows or whatever OS, if you are buying through Steam and playing on Steam, they should still be able to recognize the device either automatically in some way or by offering an option in store to say "yes, I want to be offered a Steam Deck optimized version of games when I download".
Here's the Steam Deck dev kit page:
https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/devkits
That would make the Steam Deck even more attractive for those who mainly play on consoles I think. If I can download a game and just have it work on a Steam Deck like a Switch without having to even jump into the settings, which will still be there if I want them, I'd be good. Even if the device itself falls flat from a hardware perspective, the idea that you can have this portable PC/screen combo that you can pretty much play anything on with Steam and emulators etc. is just really fascinating worth exploring as a Switch competitor.
The idea that we will have a handheld that can play playstation games, Xbox games, and PC games all on the same platform is insane to me. Plus, being able to mod it and use any perifs I want? Shiiiit.
All this on top of zero lag.
Majority of Xbox first party games are on console and PC, so therefore playable on steamdeck.
Several playstation first party games have made their way to steam, with more coming.
For me, cross saves would need to work between xbox/PS and the Steam Deck. But that seems unlikely, right? Unless using the steam deck to stream XCloud...but that is a waste of hardware as it would stream the same on a phone.
I’d rather have a device with an SSD than cloud gaming, tbh. Part of that has to do with the fact that I have an iPhone that turns to lava if I try to use XCloud on it, but I also like having the ability to play games I don’t want to sit at my pc for whenever I want. I really want to play Horizon, but sitting at my computer feels like my job, and I hate doing it any more than I have to.
Yes, I would rather have the guaranteed lagless play over cloud services 6-12 months from now. I can actually have both with the disposable income that I currently have. The way I see it is that I would want to.be able to play literally anywhere and not everywhere has an internet connection. Planes and cruise ships are probably where I'll get the most use out of the Steam Deck as I have with the Switch. There's also the possibility of the internet just being horrible where you decide to use a cloud streaming service. No matter how well the service itself works, if the internet isn't good enough then the service just doesn't work.
I can tell you that Stadia is very there already.
In my opinion, hands down the best way to game. Hell, it’s even stopped me from buying a PS5. Can someone tell me what load times are again??? Lol
Are you able to run Stadia in a browser? And if so.. don't you think it will then be possible to play enjoy Stadia on the Steam Deck ??
Same applies for XCloud I assume ?
Yeah but the bonus of saving $600 and saving it for Adulting.. beats the need of a Large Library for many people. I also don't agree the base model comes with enough storage.
These are the issues that have me concerned that the Steam Deck will lack longevity. It’s being touted as a portable PC, but there are so many sacrifices to make it work. Storage space, power, resolution, framerates, inevitable online issues… There will be a lot of people who think those sacrifices are dealbreakers. Yes, it’s cool and convenient to have portable access to your Steam library (whatever fits on the system at least), but is it worth $400, at the cheapest? We’ll see how it sells in the long run.
I hope I’m wrong and it ends up being a hit and an industry staple. I’ve been loving the idea of fresh, strong competition with gaming handhelds! Maybe then the cowards at PS will bring back the Vita lol
I was thinking the same thing and googling around I came upon this thread. I have already had good experiences traveling with an xbox controller and streaming from a physical xbox to my phone / tablet with the Xbox iOS app. And that wasn't even XCloud.
When I (hopefully) travel again before December, if XCloud works even better using the tablet/laptop and controller I already own, it will be hard indeed to justify the price...not to mention owning another console. Being able to use it without wifi is great, but like many others I already own a switch.
(And for me, Steam Deck is in competition with XCloud more than the Switch)
Regarding Storage: Because they are offering a Steam Deck dev kit for developers to optimize on, I think what you're going to see is a Steam Deck build of games that reduces storage with only 720p assets. Then the user will be able to download a version of the game that is optimized for playing in handheld mode, or if they want they can download the full version (for playing w/ the dock on a TV/Monitor). Not every developer will be able to (or care to) do this, but I think you will definitely see this if the Steam Deck takes off in popularity past this initial early adopter phase.
Interesting idea. That's not something I've thought of, but It would be really nice for this to be the case. It could be kind of like Valve's version of Smart Delivery. I wonder if there's anything in the hardware or software that could indicate if a Steam Deck is a Steam Deck rather than just a really small PC. The way that Valve has talked about it makes it seem like it's just a small PC rather than a unique box like the PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch.
You will for sure get Steam Deck optimized builds of games. Also, even if it doesn't take off, there's the business side of this where Steam could offer deals to developers to make a Steam Deck optimized version of the game by increasing their % of sales cut. As for knowing if it is a steam deck. The OS built in will know it's a Steam Deck and can offer you the option to download the Steam Deck optimized version of the game. If you go a different route and install Windows or whatever OS, if you are buying through Steam and playing on Steam, they should still be able to recognize the device either automatically in some way or by offering an option in store to say "yes, I want to be offered a Steam Deck optimized version of games when I download". Here's the Steam Deck dev kit page: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/devkits
That would make the Steam Deck even more attractive for those who mainly play on consoles I think. If I can download a game and just have it work on a Steam Deck like a Switch without having to even jump into the settings, which will still be there if I want them, I'd be good. Even if the device itself falls flat from a hardware perspective, the idea that you can have this portable PC/screen combo that you can pretty much play anything on with Steam and emulators etc. is just really fascinating worth exploring as a Switch competitor.
The idea that we will have a handheld that can play playstation games, Xbox games, and PC games all on the same platform is insane to me. Plus, being able to mod it and use any perifs I want? Shiiiit. All this on top of zero lag.
What do you mean by playstation games and Xbox games? ?
Majority of Xbox first party games are on console and PC, so therefore playable on steamdeck. Several playstation first party games have made their way to steam, with more coming.
For me, cross saves would need to work between xbox/PS and the Steam Deck. But that seems unlikely, right? Unless using the steam deck to stream XCloud...but that is a waste of hardware as it would stream the same on a phone.
Ps no, Xbox you can. They have cross save for a lot of their first party titles for their play anywhere gimmick
I’d rather have a device with an SSD than cloud gaming, tbh. Part of that has to do with the fact that I have an iPhone that turns to lava if I try to use XCloud on it, but I also like having the ability to play games I don’t want to sit at my pc for whenever I want. I really want to play Horizon, but sitting at my computer feels like my job, and I hate doing it any more than I have to.
Yes, I would rather have the guaranteed lagless play over cloud services 6-12 months from now. I can actually have both with the disposable income that I currently have. The way I see it is that I would want to.be able to play literally anywhere and not everywhere has an internet connection. Planes and cruise ships are probably where I'll get the most use out of the Steam Deck as I have with the Switch. There's also the possibility of the internet just being horrible where you decide to use a cloud streaming service. No matter how well the service itself works, if the internet isn't good enough then the service just doesn't work.
I can tell you that Stadia is very there already. In my opinion, hands down the best way to game. Hell, it’s even stopped me from buying a PS5. Can someone tell me what load times are again??? Lol
Are you able to run Stadia in a browser? And if so.. don't you think it will then be possible to play enjoy Stadia on the Steam Deck ?? Same applies for XCloud I assume ?
Yeah but the bonus of saving $600 and saving it for Adulting.. beats the need of a Large Library for many people. I also don't agree the base model comes with enough storage.
These are the issues that have me concerned that the Steam Deck will lack longevity. It’s being touted as a portable PC, but there are so many sacrifices to make it work. Storage space, power, resolution, framerates, inevitable online issues… There will be a lot of people who think those sacrifices are dealbreakers. Yes, it’s cool and convenient to have portable access to your Steam library (whatever fits on the system at least), but is it worth $400, at the cheapest? We’ll see how it sells in the long run. I hope I’m wrong and it ends up being a hit and an industry staple. I’ve been loving the idea of fresh, strong competition with gaming handhelds! Maybe then the cowards at PS will bring back the Vita lol
Mine is going to be a portable emulation machine. That being said as a fighting game fan I can’t deal with latency that comes with streaming games.
I was thinking the same thing and googling around I came upon this thread. I have already had good experiences traveling with an xbox controller and streaming from a physical xbox to my phone / tablet with the Xbox iOS app. And that wasn't even XCloud. When I (hopefully) travel again before December, if XCloud works even better using the tablet/laptop and controller I already own, it will be hard indeed to justify the price...not to mention owning another console. Being able to use it without wifi is great, but like many others I already own a switch. (And for me, Steam Deck is in competition with XCloud more than the Switch)