Steam Deck ~ PC Switch

[Paul_cz]

Everything hardware related they tried has been a colossal failure.

This is not accurate. They never released their own steam machine, and the steam machines sold by other manufacturers were normal PCs, so no real failure there. There the problem was with SteamOS not having something like Proton yet, it was too early.
Steam Controller was discontinued manufacturing, but it is a great, extremely versatile controller - just requries some getting used to. It is being supported with software updates until this day.
Steam Link was good too, but was replaced by software solution. It is however also still being updated, a month ago it got the last firmware update.
Valve Index is best in class VR headset on the market, also supported regularly.

 

[deama]

One thing I've learned over the years is that the average joe doesn't really like fiddling with stuff, he likes it when it's plug and play, or at least relatively close to it.
Yes, you'd probably have no problems with playing modern games on the Deck, but if you told someone they could play old games on it too and they bought it for that reason, but you failed to mention that it may require some tinkering/research, then it can go bust...
I think this'll get a niche after the craze dies down, no idea how big or small it'll be, but a niche nevertherless, smaller than nintendo's.
I think valve will have to do better than this to get a bigger pie off of nintendo.

What if valve decide to create an "underground" nintendo emulation scene that creates these easy-to-run packages for Deck users can download and run, they'd come with the ISOs and everything? Obviously valve would keep it a secret that they're doing this, but it's an interesting idea.

 

[ultimanecat]

What if valve decide to create an "underground" nintendo emulation scene that creates these easy-to-run packages for Deck users can download and run, they'd come with the ISOs and everything? Obviously valve would keep it a secret that they're doing this, but it's an interesting idea.

Apparently RetroArch is coming to Steam:

So the emulator part will probably be sorted. As for ROM packs, those have never been too hard to find.

 

[Zarniwoop]

Everything hardware related they tried has been a colossal failure.

This is not accurate. They never released their own steam machine, and the steam machines sold by other manufacturers were normal PCs, so no real failure there. There the problem was with SteamOS not having something like Proton yet, it was too early.
Steam Controller was discontinued manufacturing, but it is a great, extremely versatile controller - just requries some getting used to. It is being supported with software updates until this day.
Steam Link was good too, but was replaced by software solution. It is however also still being updated, a month ago it got the last firmware update.
Valve Index is best in class VR headset on the market, also supported regularly.

I never said they manufactured their own Steam machines. I said whenever they get involved with hardware, it's a failure.

Since you brought it up, the Steam Controller had massive shortages and everyone who wanted one could never get it until quite recently. They simply didn't exist. Oh and the most popular controller used with Steam is still the XBAWX controller. Same with the Valve VR - you can't get them anywhere.

Those are kind of niche products anyway - very few people care about 3D VR shit, the craze comes around every few years and then goes away again. Controllers - most people never use it on a PC, a keyboard and mouse are far superior.

This thing will be massively popular and they won't make anywhere near enough. It's basically a Switch but with actual games on it that aren't cutesy Nintendo JRPG's. That you can also use as a normal PC (almost - it's still running a shitty Linnux OS but you get the point).

 

[Gammer]

The only handheld I need is a Victoria secret models ass cheeks nahmean mang lolol

Seriously, ask yourselves deep down. "Would I even use it...." And "Do I reeeeally need to hose gaben down with more cash...."

 

[Alphard]

The only handheld I need is a Victoria secret models ass cheeks nahmean mang lolol

Seriously, ask yourselves deep down. "Would I even use it...." And "Do I reeeeally need to hose gaben down with more cash...."

Yes and yes

 

[Infinitron]

Big Picture mode has been stagnant since the failure of Steam Machines. Actually I wonder if the interface they're showing with Steam Deck is a new iteration of Big (Small?) Picture.

Yes: https://steamcommunity.com/groups/bigpicture/discussions/1/5167301764850695635/

 

[FreshCorpse]

This is fake.

The real article is here: https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/18/22579747/valve-steam-deck-steam-machines-editorial

 

[Zarniwoop]

This is fake.

The real article is here: https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/18/22579747/valve-steam-deck-steam-machines-editorial

Fabulously Optimistic: the article.

 

[KazikluBey]

Apparently RetroArch is coming to Steam:

So the emulator part will probably be sorted. As for ROM packs, those have never been too hard to find.

Not just "probably". SteamOS 3.0 is just Arch Linux, Valve devs confirmed you can use the Arch package manager, RetroArch is in the Arch repos, so just run "sudo pacman -S retroarch" (plus your choice of platform emulator, most of which are also in the Arch repos).

 

[Melcar]

Great. No every Steamtard "Linux Gaymer" will flock to Arch. It will be funny.

 

[throwaway]

This thing was built for me. I have been closely watching the GPDWin space for years. The switch has been a godsent for getting me to play some backlog stuff and the portability is 70% of the reason.
The other 30% is the lack of needing to fiddle with things (mods, patches, graphical settings etc). I'm concerned about how much tinkering will be needed for older stuff just in virtue of Linux but hopefully valve can deliver. In an ideal world games would be patched with Deck specific settings but I doubt valve has the pull for that.
Similarly my main problem with the steam controller was the need to tinker with it, maybe valve will set some touchpad default profiles that are good this time around.

It's only restraint that's keeping me from preordering this. Will either get it on first discount or whenever v2 gets on the horizon.

 

[Infinitron]

IGN sits down with Valve to dig into the Steam Deck's hardware, discussing its trackpads, how its controllers feel, and how well it handles playing modern games.

The Steam Deck, is a handheld gaming PC with a form-factor similar to that of a Nintendo Switch. No hard release date has been given, but the Steam Deck has a launch planned for Holiday 2021. The price starts at $399, with models that have more storage at $529 and $649 as well.

 

[FreshCorpse]

Great. No every Steamtard "Linux Gaymer" will flock to Arch. It will be funny.

Eh, I feel like the arch linux community specialises in taking the most clueless noobs as input and turning them into solid 3/10 users who know how to read manuals and even exhibit basic problem solving skills. It pretends to be a linux distribution - which otherwise would be a strong word for quickly repackaging upstream stuff whether it works or not - but is actually a MOOC for mooks.

That is not a slight against them: it is an enormous service to the wider community. Someone needs to upskill beginners and the vast majority of the linux community are temperamentally and psychologically unsuited to that work.

 

[rusty_shackleford]

 

[OSK]

Is that Mario or Microsoft?

 

[IDtenT]

SteamOS 3.0 being Arch Linux-based is very interesting.

Only a matter of time before they go BSD-based.

 

[Moaning_Clock]

This looks really interesting. The only thing that I don't like is the resolution on paper but it will likely be fine in practice. Now, I only need to get into handheld gaming and have the money for it lol

 

[OSK]

SteamOS 3.0 being Arch Linux-based is very interesting.

Only a matter of time before they go BSD-based.

...Why?

 

[Moaning_Clock]

Isn't part of the PS4 BSD based? And some part of MacOS? Maybe that are just rumors, I didn't verify that but it seems a viable option if you build a closed console since the BSD licensing is extremely permissive.
Since the open nature of the Steam Deck and their efforts to make Linux gaming more and more accessible I doubt that they would switch.

 

[Lyric Suite]

I think nobody gives a crap about the Linux license anymore. Look at Android they basically wiped their ass with it lmao.

 

[Star Citizen]

FUk did hell fiunally fucking freeze over? a decent tech reveal lmao this thing is appealing on so many levels

 

[Azdul]

Isn't part of the PS4 BSD based? And some part of MacOS? Maybe that are just rumors, I didn't verify that but it seems a viable option if you build a closed console since the BSD licensing is extremely permissive.

When management thinks that technology is important and powerful - but they do not understand it - they create cargo-cult, where simple act of copy-pasting outdated BSD code into company secret, private repository already makes it better and more secure.

Secret changes made to BSD - the power of 'security by obscurity' - are usually written for specific version of BSD - and quickly go out of sync with public repository. After few months they can no longer update a browser or operating system because of that secret sauce - and are stuck with old security holes and known exploits.

Then you can just casually browse public BSD repository - look at 'interesting' commits that look like they're fixing security holes - and voila - you have a way in into console that uses years old BSD code:

 

[Potato Canon]

very few people care about 3D VR shit, the craze comes around every few years and then goes away again.

This latest "craze" has been around for about 7-8 years now and is showing no sign of going away yet despite the perpetual claims of its impending demise. It may always remain niche, but like racing wheels or flight controls are probably a permanent part of gaming from here on out.

 

[rusty_shackleford]

very few people care about 3D VR shit, the craze comes around every few years and then goes away again.

This latest "craze" has been around for about 7-8 years now and is showing no sign of going away yet despite the perpetual claims of its impending demise. It may always remain niche, but like racing wheels or flight controls are probably a permanent part of gaming from here on out.

It can't go away if it's not actually there.