The Problem With Steam Deck Compatibility Ratings

Summary

The Steam Deck's compatibility with a vast array of games has been a revelation, showcasing Linux's capabilities. With over 16,000 games verified or playable, and up to 22,000 according to community reviews, the device has made Linux gaming more accessible. However, issues persist, particularly with anti-cheat systems and games erroneously marked playable or verified. The speaker suggests improvements, such as redefining 'unsupported' as 'unoptimized' and leveraging community feedback to refine game ratings. They recommend users consult ProtonDB for more accurate game compatibility information.

Takeaways

• 🆕 The Steam Deck has significantly expanded Linux gaming possibilities, with 16,000 games verified or playable by Valve, and up to 22,000 according to community reviews.
• 🚫 There are ongoing compatibility issues with certain games, particularly those with anti-cheat systems that have not enabled Linux support despite being compatible.
• 🔍 The script highlights the importance of accurate game status representation to avoid misleading users about game compatibility on the Steam Deck.
• 🛠️ Valve's Steam Deck compatibility review process categorizes games into 'Verified', 'Playable', and 'Unsupported' based on specific criteria like controller support and resolution compatibility.
• ❌ The 'Unsupported' tag is criticized for potentially causing a loss of sales for games that might work with some tweaks or updates.
• 💡 A suggestion is made to replace 'Unsupported' with 'Unoptimized' to better reflect the possibility of a game working with adjustments.
• 🔄 The script proposes improvements to the Steam Deck's compatibility rating system, including community feedback integration and reevaluation of the current rating criteria.
• 👥 Valve is encouraged to collaborate with ProtonDB to leverage community data and feedback for a more accurate and dynamic compatibility rating system.
• 🤔 The speaker recommends users to consult ProtonDB for a more reliable assessment of game compatibility on Linux and Steam Deck, rather than relying solely on Valve's ratings.
• 🎮 Personal anecdotes and recommendations are shared, such as the user's experience with the Steam Deck and suggestions for games that work well on the device.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Steam Deck in the context of Linux gaming?

The Steam Deck signifies a major step forward for Linux gaming, demonstrating that Linux is a capable system for gaming with a large library of verified and playable games, much like the initial launch of Proton showed the potential of Linux for gaming.

How many games are marked as verified or playable by Valve on the Steam Deck?

Valve directly marks 16,000 games as verified or playable on the Steam Deck, and when including community reviews, around 22,000 games are considered playable.

What are some of the issues faced by certain games on the Steam Deck?

Some games, particularly those in the top 10 list, still face issues with anti-cheat systems that do not support Linux, despite the system being Linux-supported.

What is the difference between a game being marked as 'verified' versus 'playable' on the Steam Deck?

A 'verified' game passes all compatibility checks and requires no configuration work for users, while a 'playable' game functions on the Steam Deck but may require manual user intervention.

What does the term 'unsupported' mean in the context of Steam Deck compatibility?

'Unsupported' indicates that a game has blocking bugs or performance problems specific to Proton, and it is not functional on the Steam Deck until these issues are resolved.

How does Valve's internal issue tracking system work with the Steam Deck compatibility review process?

If a game's Steam Deck compatibility review reveals issues, they are added to Valve's internal issue tracking system, and the game is marked as 'unsupported' until the issues are fixed.

What suggestions are made to improve the Steam Deck compatibility rating system?

It is suggested to eliminate the 'unsupported' tag in favor of 'unoptimized' to better communicate the game's potential performance on the Steam Deck. Additionally, incorporating community feedback more directly into the rating system is proposed.

Why is it recommended to ignore Valve's compatibility ratings according to the speaker?

The speaker recommends ignoring Valve's compatibility ratings because they may not accurately reflect the community's experience, and ProtonDB provides a more reliable and community-informed source of compatibility information.

What is ProtonDB and how does it relate to the Steam Deck?

ProtonDB is a community-driven database that provides user feedback and reviews on the compatibility of games with Proton, which is used on the Steam Deck. It is seen as a more accurate resource for game compatibility than Valve's own ratings.

How can users provide feedback on a game's compatibility with the Steam Deck?

Users can provide feedback on a game's compatibility by reporting their experience after playing the game on the Steam Deck, which can then be used to adjust the game's rating.