I saw no GOL links here so far. Great site, it taught me about Reddit, 10 years ago

  • Nova Ayashi
    link
    fedilink
    311 year ago

    I want one of these, but at the same time I’m not sure if I want it because everyone else wants it, or because I’d actually use it (my Switch is in a storage box because I never turn it on)

    • circuitfarmer
      link
      fedilink
      20
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      It’s an extremely comfortable device. I have larger hands and find the Switch relatively uncomfortable. Also, it’s just really awesome having that whole Steam library in the palms.

      Plus emulation. This cannot be overstated.

      For me the killer app is actually the trackpads, though. I play a lot of strategy games that are not at all controller friendly, but they’re great on the Deck with right pad as mouse. The scheme mimics what was done with the Steam Controller, and while I did find the pads on that and the haptics slightly better than those in the Deck, it’s a matter of not being able to play such games at all with other portable devices.

      • Xylia
        link
        fedilink
        41 year ago

        The trackpads get slept on heavily for fps games as well. If you get it dialed in just right with motion control at a low sensitivity as well, you can get about as accurate as a mouse honestly.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      171 year ago

      I have a gaming laptop so I can already game from the couch just fine… and yet I still want one of these so bad

      • Ninmi
        link
        fedilink
        181 year ago

        Can’t play lying on your back with a laptop. It’s glorious. Deck’s so wide too that it feels natural to play like that, holding all the device weight on your albows.

      • morgan423
        link
        8
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        I was a laptop gamer for years, but I like the Deck’s form factor much better for handheld gaming on the coach, or kicked back in a recliner.

        Laptops weren’t terrible, but it is nice to not have certain biological bits slowly crushed and overheated lol

    • @MegaUltraChicken
      link
      71 year ago

      I use my steam deck way more than the switch because there’s so many more quality games that I can play. It runs most aaa games and my steam library pretty well, and you can emulate pretty much anything.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      51 year ago

      Besides Switch-like form factor (although a bit chunkier) and Steam games on the go Steam Deck offers:

      1. Insane mount of control custamizability: you can play games that are only for mouse and keyboard from the comfort of your couch, bed, any place really
      2. Great 3rd party ecosystem: there is a shit ton of stuff for SteamOS that community prepared to be easy to setup like emulators, plugins, non-steam launchers etc. Discovering that can be fun on its own
      3. Find your own use case, customize hardware and software as much as you like with only sky being the limit.

      If that’s not your jam, move on I guess.

      • @WigglingWalrus
        link
        21 year ago

        I love the concept of it. It’s just the games I enjoy I can’t imagine would translate well to a controller instead of keyboard and mouse. Maybe someone will prove me wrong!

        • @Bael422
          link
          21 year ago

          I thought similarly until I tried it out. There’s community control schemes you can copy for games, plus there’s 4 extra buttons in the back you can quick remap them to either keyboard/mouse buttons or controller inputs, along with two click touchpads that can do that and more. Plus you can quick call a touch/navigatable keyboard to the screen. It takes a bit to get used to but once you do, it’s hard going back. I actually ended up preferring using it handheld over using a dock to hook it to a TV with a controller paired to it.

          The only games I’d say are hard to use would be like some mmorpg games that are best for keyboard & mouse.

    • @theangryseal
      link
      31 year ago

      I rarely played my Switch because most of the games I want aren’t on there or they’re too expensive.

      I practically live on my Steam Deck. I’ve been playing Fallout 4. I got all the achievements and s ranked all bosses on Cuphead and it loaded everything so much faster than on the switch (though I will say, it was prettier on the OLED).

      I’ve been playing 3DS games on my deck, currently going through Return of Samus after just finishing AM2R on the same handheld. It’s nuts that I can even do that.

      To me, it feels like I’m living in the future. My Switch didn’t see anywhere close to this much action.

    • @imBANO
      link
      English
      21 year ago

      I was in the same situation as you, even worse, my switch is hooked up to our TV, charged and ready to go, but still haven’t gotten much use.

      If it weren’t for my wife getting it for me I probably would’ve skipped the Steam Deck and I wouldn’t have been able to game as much as I had since getting it.

      I’ve had it since November last year and I’ve finished KH1, KH Re:CoM, KH2, DMC V, and am currently playing Nier Automata. It’s such a fun little device that allows me to squeeze in some gaming between work, taking care of a newborn, and other chores.

      If you have a steam backlog you’ve been itching to play, I’d say definitely go for it. Otherwise, if you find yourself wishing you squeezed in a 5 to 10 minute gaming session during idle times, I’d say that’s a good indicator a Steam Deck would be a good purchase for you.

    • @Synthead
      link
      21 year ago

      It has a form factor similar to a Switch, but that’s about where the similarities end.

    • @imBANO
      link
      English
      11 year ago

      deleted by creator

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      1
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      This is my concern as well (+ I’m a cheapskate who usually only buys consoles or computer stuff once they’re pretty much obsolete and <$100 used).

      History of every gaming device I’ve bought in adulthood including VR:

      1. Purchase with some games;
      2. If soft-modable, soft-mod and customize;
      3. Play happily for a few months;
      4. Put it in a box and never look at it again, or give to my kid who follows a similar cycle.

      Edit: Though my counterargument here is just how many options the Steam Deck opens up. Want PC games - see: all the shit I’ve never played? Got 'em. Emulators? Got em. Want to use it as a mini pc for minor pc stuff? Doable.

  • @dan1101
    link
    291 year ago

    Ok top seller by revenue, that makes a bit more sense because a lot of games will be selling for under $10. But still that’s impressive and bodes well for Linux gaming.

    • @ManosTheHandsOfFate
      link
      191 year ago

      I’ve really been enjoying my SteamDeck. Seeing Proton in action may be what finally pushes me away from Windows which I’ve been wanting to do for years. Yesterday I found myself downloading the Pop!_OS ISO.

      • @dan1101
        link
        7
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        I got Manjaro working pretty well, what surprised me is how much space the Proton compatibility files take for various games. I will probably reinstall when I can dedicate more space to it. Also I was stubborn and tried to get the Steam game install folders working on Windows and Linux on a dual-boot machine. I succeeded, but it was a lot of trouble and not worth it.

      • morgan423
        link
        61 year ago

        Hope you enjoy! Pop_OS is one of my favorite distros (along with Mint Cinnamon and Steam OS).

        I made the full leap 4 years ago (except the work laptop, my employer is still in Microsoft mode) and I’ve never regretted it for a single solitary moment.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          61 year ago

          I hoped over to Linux a few years ago as well. It’s actually reinvigorated my love for computers. Linux is such a joy to use and I’m having a blast learning about each part of the os and how it works. I love that there is config files for everything and it’s simple text with an explanation of what each setting does.

      • circuitfarmer
        link
        fedilink
        51 year ago

        Good luck! I made the switch and have gamed exclusively on Linux for about a year now. It’s gotten leaps and bounds better than it used to be in a pretty short time. The same is true on the Deck: if something doesn’t launch the first time, change to Proton Experimental in game properties and likely you’re good.

        Your experience may be different depending on your GPU, though. AMD drivers are baked into the Linux kernel now, so It Just Works™. But nvidia can be a pain, mostly because you’re still tied to their proprietary driver and they famously don’t pump a lot of resources into Linux support.

    • circuitfarmer
      link
      fedilink
      71 year ago

      Good luck! I made the switch and have gamed exclusively on Linux for about a year now. It’s gotten leaps and bounds better than it used to be in a pretty short time. The same is true on the Deck: if something doesn’t launch the first time, change to Proton Experimental in game properties and likely you’re good.

      Your experience may be different depending on your GPU, though. AMD drivers are baked into the Linux kernel now, so It Just Works™. But nvidia can be a pain, mostly because you’re still tied to their proprietary driver and they famously don’t pump a lot of resources into Linux support.

    • WorseDoughnut 🍩
      link
      fedilink
      71 year ago

      top seller by revenue

      Yeah same reason the Index was previously always on the “Top Seller” tab as well, since the damn thing is $1000 lol

  • codusM
    link
    fedilink
    201 year ago

    Before I got a Deck I thought the hype could not be real. It’s over a year later and I still can’t put it down.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      161 year ago

      If you’ve got the money for it, absolutely snag one. It doesn’t feel like a console to me (like an Xbox) but it’s got the functionality of one while still very much being a computer. I’ve owned an Xbox and have a gaming desktop and I only touch the desktop when I play VR games. It’s totally changed how I play games.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        61 year ago

        I used mine as a gaming “desktop” with a USB hub while I was moving and my desktop was in storage for a few months. I could play casual csgo and a few other games without issue.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          71 year ago

          Hell ya. I use it as a portable console and plug it into my home theatre to play games on the big screen

    • @art101
      link
      71 year ago

      Yeah been trying to get one for my eldest boy for a while now and I’ve had more luck buying rocking horse poop, hens teeth and crocodile tears.

  • MerylasFalguard
    link
    fedilink
    61 year ago

    I’m conflicted on it. I want one, but I’m not sure exactly how much I’d use it. I have a PC that I built a few years back, but at this point I spend so much time sitting inmost a desk in front of the same screens that I feel like I’d be more likely to play stuff if I could do it on a handheld while laying on the couch or something. But also I don’t want to spend the money on it only to find out I’m wrong about that….

    • Domi
      link
      fedilink
      11 year ago

      You can return any hardware on Steam within 14 days if you don’t like it.

    • tal
      link
      fedilink
      1
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      I like having a larger screen for games, if I can manage it.

      I think that the Steam Deck is particularly interesting for people who want to play games on the move. Like, you’re waiting in line at the grocery store or whatever. Especially if it’s somewhere where you can’t sit down, so a laptop – even if you’re willing to carry one – isn’t an option.

      Nothing else does a fantastic job of filling that niche. The closest thing is probably a smartphone running mobile games with a controller, but that isn’t really as convenient or, in most respects, capable. Or the mobile consoles, which aren’t as capable either.

    • Evaporate4149
      link
      fedilink
      11 year ago

      I’ve only really used mine on trips. Mostly playing games like Hades, which are quick to pickup and put down.

  • Jiberish
    link
    fedilink
    3
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    I use my deck as my personal computer (95% desktop mode, 5% gaming). It is faster than my laptop. It has more space after upgrading to the 2TB SSD (buy the the 64gb model if you own small screwdrivers). And it is more comfortable to use than my laptop or phone. It helps that i have been using Linux with KDE for years, so I had zero learning curve. I might buy a second one. It’s my favorite piece of tech that I have ever bought.

  • Backspacecentury
    link
    fedilink
    21 year ago

    I’ve been playing Zelda on Switch for a month now, and seeing that photo made me super nostalgic to go back to playing the deck. I much prefer the deck.

  • Krafty
    link
    fedilink
    21 year ago

    @AnonLordo I have had my steam deck for a year. I probably spent thousands of hours using the thing. I spent about 120 hours on the game Satisfactory alone.

    Now it doesn’t run every game perfectly, but it runs most games at an acceptable level. It’s also great if you’re into emulation. It’s also fun to go into the desktop mode and tinker with Linux. I didn’t think I was going to use the steam deck much to be honest, but it’s a game changer.

    I have a Nintendo switch, but I absolutely hate playing it in handheld mode. It’s extremely uncomfortable for my hands. I will only use it on the tv with the pro controller. However I can use the steam deck all day long with no discomfort.