Launching a console / portable PC while advocating almost total compatibility with the Steam catalog is a fairly risky bet. In fact, Valve wants to introduce a certification system to simplify the lives of its users. For better and for … better?
The bet of Valve is to be able to offer a large part of its catalog on its Steam Deck with simplified accessibility. However, it is certain that some very greedy games may have a little more trouble to run. To avoid disappointment, Valve made the decision to institute a large certification program. Ask for the program … Or almost.
Compatibility with your Steam Deck at a glance
Thus, from now on, each Steam game will be assigned a badge allowing at a glance to know the level of optimization of a title. For now, 4 badges are already planned: Certified, Playable, No–supported, Unknown.
- Certified : The game works perfectly the console, from the end of the installation
- Playable : The game may require some manual adjustments on the part of the user to be playable.
- Unsupported : The game is currently not functional on Steam Deck.
- Unknown : We have not yet verified the compatibility of this game.
Note also that according to Valve for performances: The game must support Steam Deck standard definition (1280 x 800 or 1280 x 720), have good defaults and text must be readable
Valve prepares for the final assault
All this will be visible in Steam library and through the store. Indeed, it should not even be necessary to own the said console to enjoy it. We will undoubtedly see in the Steam forums summaries of the games that are the most optimized.
Recall that Valve has indicated that the first orders for Steam Deck will be honored for the month of December of that same year (2021). The ambition is to be able to offer a minimum of 30 FPS in terms of framerate for the majority of games. Deal ?
We will really know that once the console is in our hands.
