Valve's Steam deck is here and is a hybrid game console comparable to the Nintendo Switch. It is predominantly a handheld gaming device that allows players to play Steam games, can output to your TV or monitor, and lets USB accessories be connected to the dock.
While gamers eagerly await their Steam deck, Valve has unleashed a tool to inspect your games library's compatibility with the Steam Deck in one click. It's not fully functional, but Valve's history gives us reason to be both tolerant and excited.
All in working order?
Compatibility testing is generally the realm of the game developers in the long process of game testing methodologies to ascertain the functionality of their creation. Mobile devices are available in many shapes and sizes, from different manufacturers and multiple operating systems, which can lead to any number of issues. Ideally, you would check all possible permutations, but that's just not feasible and would be unproductive.
That's where compatibility testing comes into play and why it's so important for game developers. The importance of compatibility in all gaming genres can't be understated and is exemplified in the success of brands like Paddy Power Games online casino, which undeniably attributed to cross-device compatibility and HTML5 optimization. Online casinos were able to capitalize on people's desire to play games online and on any device by offering live casino games, slots, and other table games, they have been ahead of the game in recognizing the shift towards increased mobile gaming. The value of the Steam deck also hinges on players being able to assess a sizable chunk of their games library's content on the device and early signs are good.
If you want to check the compatibility of your library's compatibility with the Steam Deck in one click, click Steam Deck Compatibility and your library will be instantly categorized. The first category is Deck Verified games, which means the games are fully functional and you should be able to begin playing unmolested by bugs. Deck Playable Games are next, which require a little extra in terms of a third-party launcher or are titles that are optimal with a mouse and keyboard. The next category is Deck Unsupported, which means they simply won't work with Steam Deck. The final category is Untested Deck Games, which basically means 'we don't know, but we might get around to testing them soon'. Valve is constantly testing different titles, so if you have a large number of games falling under this category, maybe check again in a few weeks.
Image source: "Warnings from Future Self" (CC BY 2.0) by Linda Rain 714
Patience needed
Valve, as a developer and publisher of critically acclaimed and fan-loved games, can do no wrong. Their single-player hits such as Half-Life and Portal games are still warmly remembered and played today, as are the hugely successful multiplayer games Counter-Strike, Dota 2, and Left 4 Dead. They also have credit in the bank as the creators of Steam, PC gamers favored the method of buying, updating, and playing games.
Steam began back in 2003 and had the simple ambition to provide easier access to their games, control the patching process for their creations and impede cheating. The early signs were not good as Valve floundered to meet user demand, habitually locked players out of their purchases, and provided a slow and clunky interface that rendered their games almost unplayable. 2004 saw Half-Life 2 arguably save Steam, as it was hugely popular and players were required to sign up for Steam in order to play the universally-acclaimed shooter.
Over the early 2000s Steam really starts to come together as the interface, categories, discounts, design, and other elements are formed to give us the gaming platform we know today. 2013 saw Linux support arrive on Steam along with Big Picture mode and Family Sharing, all indications Valve had an ambitious view of what Steam could be in terms of a rival to console gaming. Valve's Steam deck feels like a new starting point and while it might start off a little glitchy and infuriate users initially, it might also be wonderful.
We welcome Steam deck and understand it is an early access PC game console, therefore we expect and tolerate bugs.