Tag: Steam Deck

  • GTA V Online Kernel Anti-Cheat Ruins Steam Deck and Linux Support

    GTA V Online Kernel Anti-Cheat Ruins Steam Deck and Linux Support

    Anyone who has played GTA Online knows that the game struggles with cheaters, and Rockstar Games is taking steps to tackle this issue by introducing BattleEye anti-cheat through a recent update for GTA V. While this news may be welcomed by many dedicated players, it has sparked controversy within the Steam Deck and Linux gaming communities. The implementation of kernel-level anti-cheat has rendered GTA Online incompatible with both Linux and the Steam Deck.

    Rockstar’s Stance on Compatibility Issues

    Interestingly, Rockstar’s support page regarding BattleEye cites the lack of Steam Deck support as a problem originating from Steam’s end:

    "Steam Deck does not support BattlEye for GTA Online. You will be able to play GTAV Story Mode but unable to play GTA Online."

    It seems odd for Rockstar to place the blame on Steam, especially since several titles successfully support BattleEye when played on Linux through Proton. A brief look at the Steam Deck Verified games list, Are We Anti-Cheat Yet?, and ProtonDB shows that games like DayZ, ARK: Survival Evolved, ArmA 3, Unturned, Planetside 3, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, and other BattleEye-enabled titles run smoothly on the Steam Deck and various Linux systems.

    Offline Play Still Available

    It’s worth mentioning that GTA V can still be played in offline or story mode on Linux and the Steam Deck by using the -nobattleye launch option. This allows players to start the game without BattleEye active in the background.

    This indicates that Rockstar Games may have intentionally chosen to overlook support for Linux and the Steam Deck. They might be trying to avoid a flood of support requests from Steam Deck users or Linux gamers regarding potential issues from future updates. The timing of the anti-cheat addition to GTA V and GTA Online raises eyebrows, especially since the game debuted nine years ago. Some speculate that this could serve as a test for GTA VI, which is expected to launch next year. While a PC version for GTA VI may not arrive until a year or two after its console release in 2025, Rockstar may be attempting to manage expectations for the new installment.

    If you’re in search of a handheld gaming device optimized for Windows that can also run Linux, consider the Lenovo Legion Go, priced at $699.99.

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  • Steam Deck 2 Expected to Release in 2-3 Years, Hints Valve

    Steam Deck 2 Expected to Release in 2-3 Years, Hints Valve

    Valve has recently launched an updated version of the Steam Deck, called the Steam Deck OLED. This new model boasts an OLED display and improved battery life. However, it's important to note that the Steam Deck OLED is not a true successor to the original Steam Deck but rather a mediocre upgrade.

    The eagerly awaited true successor to the original Steam Deck will not be available for at least two to three years, according to Valve. Lawrence Yang, Valve's UX designer, revealed in an interview with Gizmodo that the company is indeed working on a proper successor to the Steam Deck. However, it is not yet ready to be referred to as the Steam Deck 2.

    Yang explained that for the next iteration to earn the "2" designation, it must offer a significant increase in performance compared to its predecessor. Valve is currently waiting for advancements in chip technology before moving forward with the development of the Steam Deck 2. Yang anticipates that within the next two to three years, a suitable chip will be available for the next-generation handheld gaming device.

    This means that gamers will have to wait a couple more years before they can get their hands on a true Steam Deck 2. However, Yang assures that Valve is committed to supporting the current Steam Deck models, including both the OLED and LCD variants. The company plans to release regular updates to enhance the user experience and address any lingering issues.

    Yang also addressed the criticisms surrounding the original Steam Deck, acknowledging that many of them aligned with the company's own internal list of improvements. He explained that the design of the Deck had to make certain compromises due to time constraints, cost considerations, and the challenges faced in the supply chain during late 2021.

    Overall, while the Steam Deck OLED offers an upgraded display and improved battery life, it is not a true successor to the original Steam Deck. Gamers will have to wait a few more years for the release of the Steam Deck 2, which will feature a significant performance boost. In the meantime, Valve remains dedicated to supporting the current Steam Deck models and will continue to release updates to enhance the user experience.

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  • Introducing the New Steam Deck OLED Console: Enhanced Performance and Starting at $549

    Introducing the New Steam Deck OLED Console: Enhanced Performance and Starting at $549

    Valve has recently surprised gamers with the unexpected release of the Steam Deck OLED, featuring an OLED display. While the release of the Steam Deck 2 console is not expected until 2025, leaks about this new hardware have emerged, revealing some interesting upgrades.

    Upgraded Memory and OLED Display

    The Steam Deck OLED retains most of the specifications of the original Steam Deck, with the main difference being an upgraded memory and the addition of an OLED display. The memory has been upgraded from LPDDR5 5500 to LPDDR5 6400, which should theoretically result in better performance. However, real-life testing is needed to determine if there is a noticeable difference.

    Here are the complete specifications for the Steam Deck OLED console:

    • 6 nm AMD APU
    • Zen 2 4-core/8-thread CPU clocked at 2.4-3.5GHz
    • RDNA 2 GPU with 8 compute units running at 1.6GHz
    • 1.6 TFlops of FP32 performance
    • 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM operating at 6400 MT/s
    • Choice between a 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD
    • High-speed microSD card slot for additional storage

    Comprehensive Control Options

    The Steam Deck OLED offers a wide range of control options for gamers:

    • Gamepad controls with A, B, X, Y buttons
    • D-pad
    • L & R analog triggers
    • View & Menu buttons
    • 4 assignable grip buttons
    • 2 full-size analog sticks with capacitive touch
    • HD haptics
    • 2 square trackpads with haptic feedback
    • Pressure-sensitive features for configurable click strength
    • 6-Axis IMU for enhanced control precision

    Impressive Display and Audio Capabilities

    The Steam Deck OLED features a 7.4-inch diagonal HDR OLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 800. It offers a peak brightness of 1000 nits in HDR and 600 nits in SDR, with a contrast ratio exceeding 1,000,000:1. The display covers 110% of the P3 color gamut and supports a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, with a rapid response time of under 0.1 ms. Additionally, it boasts high-performance touch functionality.

    Audio capabilities include stereo sound with an embedded DSP, a dual microphone array, a 3.5mm stereo headphone/headset jack, and multichannel audio support via DisplayPort over USB-C, standard USB-C, or Bluetooth 5.3.

    Connectivity and Expansion Options

    The Steam Deck OLED is equipped with dual ambient light sensors for optimal lighting adjustments. It features Bluetooth 5.3 and a tri-band Wi-Fi 6E radio, supporting 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands. It also supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax standards.

    For expansion, the Steam Deck OLED offers a microSD slot with support for UHS-I. It can also serve as a display port over Type C, capable of handling up to 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz. Additionally, it includes USB3 Gen 2 support.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Steam Deck OLED will be available for purchase starting on November 16. It comes in two storage options: a 512 GB variant priced at $549 and a 1 TB version priced at $649. Valve is also offering a limited edition Steam Deck OLED exclusively available in the United States and Canada, priced at $679.

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