Valve Fixes a Steam Deck Problem

Summary

This week's update on Steam Deck highlights its significant impact on Linux's growth, doubling its user base on Steam. The script discusses Fedora's surge in popularity, possibly due to its resemblance to Steam OS. It also addresses the dilemma of native Linux game development versus using Proton, following issues with the Jackbox Mega Picker. The video covers the Steam Deck's suitability as a party console, introduces a new BenQ gaming projector, and hints at official support for the Deck HD mod. It ends with the somber news of Game Informer and romhacking.net shutting down, but also introduces new games and mods for the community to explore.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The Steam Deck is driving significant growth for Linux, doubling its usage on Steam since its release.
• 📈 Valve's hardware survey data indicates that Linux's market share on Steam has stabilized at around 2%.
• 📊 Arch Linux, used in the Steam Deck, and Fedora have seen substantial growth in popularity among Linux distributions.
• 🔧 Fedora's growth may be attributed to Basite, a Linux image modeled after Steam OS, gaining popularity among gamers.
• 🎮 The debate over whether developers should create native Linux games or rely on Proton for compatibility continues.
• 🚫 Jackbox Mega Picker initially caused issues for Steam Deck users, leading to the recommendation of using Proton for a more consistent experience.
• 🎁 Steam Deck users can now enjoy party games like Drawful 2, which is free until the end of August.
• 📹 A gaming projector from BenQ, the BenQ X300G, was highlighted for its low latency and 4K capabilities, enhancing the Steam Deck's portability.
• 🔄 Valve is updating Steam to include a feature that shows which friends are playing on a Steam Deck.
• 🛠️ There is an indication that Valve is working on official support for the Deck HD mod, which enhances the Steam Deck's display.
• 💔 The gaming community mourns the loss of Game Informer and romhacking.net, with the latter's database now archived on archive.org.

Q & A

How has the Steam Deck impacted the growth of Linux on Steam?

The Steam Deck has significantly contributed to the growth of Linux on Steam. Prior to its release, approximately 1% of Steam players used Linux, and now, two years after its release, about 2% of Steam players use Linux, effectively doubling the use of Linux on the platform.

What is the significance of the recent hardware survey result published by Valve?

The recent hardware survey result published by Valve for the month of July shows that Linux maintains its market share at approximately 2%, indicating a stabilization in the growth trend observed after the release of the Steam Deck.

What is the trend observed in the popularity of different Linux distributions over time?

The trend shows a significant growth in the use of Arch Linux, which is the distribution used in the Steam Deck, growing from 8.2% to 21.1%. Additionally, Fedora has seen explosive growth, possibly due to the influence of Basite, a Linux image based on Fedora and modeled after Steam OS on the Steam Deck.

What is Basite, and how has it influenced the growth of Fedora Linux?

Basite is a Linux image based on the Fedora distribution but modeled after how Steam OS works on the Steam Deck. Its growth has been meteoric, leading to a shift in the choice of Linux distribution among enthusiasts who prefer a gaming-centric and streamlined experience.

What issue did the Jackbox Mega Picker game launcher cause for Steam Deck users?

The Jackbox Mega Picker game launcher was reported to corrupt Steam Deck installations, forcing users to reinstall Steam OS or perform a factory reset. The issue was specifically with the native Linux version of the game.

How did Valve address the issue with the Jackbox Mega Picker game launcher on Steam Deck?

Valve issued a hot fix to select Proton by default for the Jackbox Mega Picker, allowing Steam Deck users to run the Windows version of the launcher via Proton instead of the native Linux version, thus resolving the corruption issue.

What is the general consensus on whether developers should build native Linux games or use Proton?

While Valve supports both approaches, there is a personal opinion in the script suggesting that leveraging Proton might be the better way for developers, as it results in less work for them and a more consistent experience for consumers.

What is the issue with Steam Cloud saves when transferring play between Windows and Steam Deck?

Steam Cloud saves may not work as expected when transferring play between Windows and Steam Deck because developers sometimes overlook the need to ensure that save files are compatible across both operating systems.

What was the impact of the closure of romhacking.net on the ROM hacking community?

The closure of romhacking.net is a significant loss for the ROM hacking community as it was a central hub for ROM hacks and mods for retro games. The site's closure has left a void, but the database has been archived on archive.org, preserving the availability of ROM hacks.

What is the significance of the update to Steam that shows which friends are playing on Steam Deck?

The update adds a small but noticeable feature to Steam, allowing users to easily identify which of their friends are playing on a Steam Deck through a specific icon, enhancing the social aspect of the platform.

What is the Deck HD mod, and what does it mean for its official support?

The Deck HD mod is a modification for the Steam Deck's LCD that makes the screen more vibrant and increases the resolution to 1200p. The appearance of Deck HD in the game scope source code suggests that Valve is working on official support for this modification, ensuring compatibility with future updates.

What is the 'save point' product teased by Geni for the Steam Deck, and what are its expected features?

The 'save point' product is a new Steam Deck accessory teased by Geni, likely to be an external drive with USBC pass-through. This would allow users to expand storage on their Steam Deck while maintaining the ability to charge the device, potentially offering a significant boost in storage capacity without modifications.