الوسم: Steam Deck

  • Xbox’s Steam Deck Rival Coming Soon

    Xbox’s Steam Deck Rival Coming Soon

    For several months, speculation has been rampant about a potential Xbox handheld device. Recent reports from Windows Central suggest that fans may have to wait even longer, as Microsoft has decided to pause its handheld project to focus on enhancing the Windows 11 experience for third-party devices. While no official word has been released about the handheld’s status, several codenames have emerged online.

    It’s important to note that Xbox’s collaboration with ASUS for Project Kennan is still on track. The delay only pertains to the company’s internal handheld initiative. Although a specific reason wasn’t provided, it is believed that Microsoft aims to optimize Windows 11 for handheld devices, especially since SteamOS currently outshines Windows in performance benchmarks.

    According to sources at Windows Central, Microsoft remains committed to developing a handheld, but it has been temporarily shelved. Phil Spencer initially floated the idea for this device back in November 2024, indicating it might take time before it reaches consumers. The Xbox handheld was originally projected to debut in 2027, but that timeline may now have shifted further into the future.

    In contrast, Project Kennan is still expected to debut later this year. This device, rumored to be a variant of the ROG Ally, had its details partly leaked earlier this month, revealing a design akin to an Xbox controller, complete with a dedicated Xbox button. Images from the leaks also showcased some of its technical specifications.

    The anticipated handheld will reportedly feature an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU, a 7-inch 120Hz display, and 64GB of RAM. The non-Xbox variant is expected to have lower specifications, including a less powerful CPU. However, specifics about storage capacity and the potential inclusion of an SD card slot for expandable memory have yet to be announced.

  • Capture and Share Screenshots and Videos on Your Steam Deck

    Capture and Share Screenshots and Videos on Your Steam Deck

    Thanks to the Steam Deck, playing games while on the move has never been easier. It lets you step away from your desk and enjoy your favorite titles wherever you go. Naturally, you’ll want to capture those great gaming moments with screenshots or video recordings.

    If you’re unsure how to do this, don’t worry—it’s simpler than it might seem! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to take screenshots and recordings on the Steam Deck.

    How to Take Screenshots

    To capture a screenshot on your Steam Deck, just press the ‘Steam’ button and the ‘R1’ button at the same time.

    You’ll know it worked if a small notification pops up in the bottom right corner, along with a short camera shutter sound.

    How to Remove the Screenshot Pop-Up

    One small annoyance with the Steam Deck is that if you take multiple screenshots quickly, the screenshot notification will appear in the corner of each one. Luckily, you can turn this off:

    1. Open your Steam Settings.
    2. Select ‘In Game’.
    3. Toggle ‘Hide Steam UI elements in screenshots’ to disable the pop-up.

    How to Record Video

    Recording video clips is straightforward on the Steam Deck, thanks to its built-in functionality.

    1. Go into your Steam Settings.
    2. Select ‘Game Recording’.

    You’ll be presented with several recording options:

    Recording Off

    Your Steam Deck will not record anything.

    Record in Background

    This setting allows your Steam Deck to automatically record gameplay whenever you start a game, so you won’t miss anything. Steam will keep the last 120 minutes of gameplay in a temporary file, which you can save as permanent clips later.

    Record Manually

    You can start recording at any time by holding ‘Steam’ and ‘A’ together, and press again to stop the recording. You’ll get a notification sound, and a pop-up will appear to confirm that recording is in progress.

    How to Create Permanent Clips

    If you are using the ‘Record in Background’ option and want to save a specific moment, just press the Steam button, navigate to ‘Media’, and select your most recent video. From there, use the scissors icon to trim and save clips.

    From the Steam menu, access ‘Media’ to view all your screenshots and videos. By hitting the ‘Options’ button and then ‘Share’, you’ll get a range of sharing options:

    Send to Other Device

    This feature lets you transfer clips and images to a PC that also has the Steam client.

    Send to Phone

    You can send media files directly to your phone if you use the Steam Mobile App.

    Create a QR Link

    This option generates a QR code that allows you to view and share the image elsewhere.

    Share to a Chat

    This lets you send your media through a direct message to friends.

  • Setting Up Xbox Cloud Gaming on Your Steam Deck: A Guide

    Setting Up Xbox Cloud Gaming on Your Steam Deck: A Guide

    Quick Links

    The Steam Deck is an adaptable device that can do much more than just play games from Steam. With the right setup, you can enjoy titles from various platforms, although configuring it can be challenging. Running games exclusively through desktop mode often won’t maximize the device’s capabilities as a controller.

    Xbox Cloud enables access to the entire Game Pass library without taking up storage space with game installs. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to set it up for use on your Steam OS.

    How to Install Xbox Cloud on Your Steam Deck

    First, you need to switch your Steam Deck to desktop mode. To do this, hold down the Steam button to access the power menu where you can select desktop mode. This mode runs a variant of Linux that’s approachable for users familiar with Windows or Mac.

    If you have a dock for your Steam Deck, using a mouse and keyboard can make navigating desktop mode easier, though it’s not necessary.

    Installing Microsoft Edge:

    Xbox Cloud operates via the Microsoft Edge browser. First, let’s install Edge and grant it necessary permissions. If you’ve done this before, you can skip ahead.

    Click on the Steam Deck icon at the bottom left to open the menu, then find and open the "Discover" application, which acts like an app store. In the internet category, search for and install Microsoft Edge.

    Next, you need to authorize Edge to access and modify files on your Steam Deck, which involves some coding. Open the "Konsole" program found in the system category of the applications.

    Note: Microsoft hasn’t officially supported the Steam Deck. This process is a workaround created by community volunteers, and the package used may change without notice.

    Paste the following command into Konsole to give Edge the necessary permissions:

    flatpak --user override --filesystem=/run/udev:ro com.microsoft.Edge

    Press enter to execute, then close the Konsole.

    With Microsoft Edge installed and configured, it’s time to set it up in Steam.

    How to Add the Xbox Cloud Shortcut to Your Steam OS

    Stay in desktop mode to start this process, but once it’s complete, you’ll be able to launch Xbox Cloud directly from Steam. From the Steam Deck’s application list, find Microsoft Edge, right-click it (by pressing the right trigger), and select "Add to Steam."

    Now, launch Steam from desktop mode to make additional edits. While you could complete this step outside of desktop mode, you’d lose the ability to copy and paste.

    In the Steam library, locate Microsoft Edge and click the gear icon next to it to access the properties and customize the shortcut. You can rename it to "Xbox Cloud" and add your preferred icon and banner.

    In the launch options area, you need to add the following command, placing it at the end of whatever is already there:

    --window-size=1024,640 --force-device-scale-factor=1.25 --device-scale-factor=1.25 --kiosk "https://www.xbox.com/play"

    This command adjusts the display settings for the Steam Deck and directs the browser to the Xbox Cloud gaming page.

    If everything is set up correctly, return to the Steam OS and find your new Xbox application in the Steam library.

    The default controller setting is "gamepad with joystick trackpad," which works well for navigating Xbox Cloud. If preferred, you can change this to "gamepad with mouse trackpad" in the Steam menu for different controls.

    Once your setup is complete, log in to your Xbox account. If you encounter any issues logging in from Steam OS, you can do it from desktop mode and select the option to remember your login. This will keep you logged in even after rebooting the Steam program.

  • Maximize Your Steam Deck: The Ultimate Veilguard Guide

    Maximize Your Steam Deck: The Ultimate Veilguard Guide

    Reports indicate that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has challenges running on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. However, by adjusting some settings, you can achieve a smoother performance.

    The highly anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard has finally launched, bringing with it some initial optimization challenges. Players using handheld consoles like the Steam Deck may experience performance issues. Fortunately, by adjusting the game’s settings, you can significantly enhance your gaming experience.

    The optimization options for the Steam Deck can lead to a much more enjoyable gaming session. With battery life ranging from 1.5 to 4 hours on the Steam Deck, here’s how to set up Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

    In-Game Settings

    Active Monitor Generic non-PNP Monitor
    Window Mode Full Screen
    Screen Resolution 1280×200
    Refresh Rate 90.00Hz
    Frame Rate Limit Uncapped
    VSync Off
    Triple Buffering Off
    Brightness Default
    Contrast Default
    Enable HDR On
    HDR Calibration Adjust as needed
    Upscale Method Intel XESS
    Upsample Quality Quality
    Frame Generation Disabled
    Anti-Aliasing Disabled
    Render Scale 100%
    Dynamic Resolution Scaling On
    Target Frames Per Second 60
    Minimum Resolution Scale 70%

    Graphics Settings

    Graphics Preset Custom
    Texture Quality Low
    Texture Filtering Low
    Lighting Quality Low
    Contact Shadows Off
    Ambient Occlusion SSAO
    Screen Space Reflection Off
    Volumetric Lighting Low
    Sky Quality Low
    Ray-Traced Reflections Off
    Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion Off
    Ultra Ray Tracing Off
    Level of Detail Low
    Strand Hair Off
    Terrain Quality Low
    Terrain Decoration Quality Low
    Visual Effects Quality Low
    Depth of Field Cinematics only; adjust based on preference
    Vignette Off
    Motion Blur Disabled; adjust based on preference
    Post Processing Quality Low
    Field of View 100%

    Steam Deck-Specific Settings

    Frame Rate Limit 60
    TDP 15 W
    Battery Drain 25-20 W

    Author Avatar

    Namra is a passionate gamer and guide writer who eagerly anticipates the launch of AAA titles. Some of her favorites include The Last of Us, Uncharted, Spider-Man, Final Fantasy, and Alan Wake.

  • EA Takes Apex Legends Off Steam Deck Over Linux Cheating

    EA Takes Apex Legends Off Steam Deck Over Linux Cheating

    A Legend Upgrade ability is used in Apex Legends.
    EA

    Electronic Arts has announced that it will immediately revoke access to its popular battle royale game, Apex Legends, for Steam Deck and Linux users as part of its ongoing efforts to address cheating issues.

    In an update posted on the Apex Legends forums (as noted by The Verge), an EA representative explained that this decision was made in response to a significant number of cheating exploits linked to Linux-based installations. Since the Steam Deck operates on a Linux foundation (SteamOS is built on Debian and utilizes Proton for compatibility with Windows and Mac games), this effectively means that Steam Deck users will also lose access.

    The spokesperson elaborated, “We had to consider the impact of Linux and Steam Deck players in relation to the overall health of the game’s community. Although the number of Linux players is relatively small, their presence has negatively affected the gaming experience for many others. This led us to our current decision.”

    However, players can still enjoy Apex Legends on a Steam Deck if they install Windows, although it won’t operate through the default launcher. Additionally, PC users can continue to access the game on Steam without any restrictions.

    Previously, EA reported that since the game’s launch, it has banned over 6 million accounts, averaging more than 100,000 bans per month. Anti-cheat measures in place involve Easy Anti-Cheat to oversee cheating across EA’s games.

    This isn’t an isolated incident, as other major titles have faced similar restrictions. Last month, Rockstar removed both Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online from the Steam Deck following the integration of BattlEye Anti-Cheat, although the specific reasons for the incompatibility were not detailed.

  • Ensure You Install The Latest Steam Deck October Update

    Ensure You Install The Latest Steam Deck October Update

    A Steam Deck OLED placed on a table.
    Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends

    This week, Valve introduced a significant update for the Steam Deck through its Stable channel. According to the company, this update enhances overall performance and could extend battery life for the original Steam Deck by as much as 10% under specific conditions.

    Valve frequently rolls out hotfixes and minor updates for the Steam Deck beta channel, usually addressing subtle issues that many users might not notice. However, the latest SteamOS 3.6.19 brings major improvements, thanks largely to two pivotal changes: the adoption of a more up-to-date Arch Linux foundation and an upgrade to Mesa 24.1 for the graphics driver.

    While there are numerous fixes included in this update, they will support quicker OS updates in the future, boost the reliability of microSD and SD cards, enhance hardware stability, improve recovery methods post-crash, and refine the Steam user interface. Users who prefer desktop mode will also see an upgrade to KDE Plasma 5.27.10. While not a major overhaul, this change will allow for thumbnail previews for video files in the file launcher and resolve crashing glitches.

    The enhancement impacts both the Steam Deck OLED and the LCD model, although with some variations. It’s particularly beneficial for LCD users, who will appreciate the potential for “up to 10%” additional battery life during lighter usage. Additionally, they will receive access to overclocking controls for those prioritizing performance over battery conservation. For OLED users, Bluetooth features have been improved, along with a fix for a memory leak that affected users on version 3.5.

    Interestingly, the update notes mention that support has been added for extra keys found on the ROG Ally. This raises the question of whether we might see SteamOS being available on other platforms in the near future, possibly even on its competitor, the Asus ROG Ally. Only time will tell if this development leads anywhere.

  • Steam Deck VS Gaming Laptop: Which One To Buy?

    Everything that will let you decide between getting a Steam Deck VS Gaming Laptop is right here in our piece. Get indulgin’!

    (المزيد…)
  • Steam Deck Will Run Windows 11 at Launch!

    According to a Steam Deck designer, Valve is working with AMD to ensure that the Steam Deck will also support Windows 11 and dual-booting between SteamOS and Windows 10.

    (المزيد…)
  • All You Need to Know About Steam Deck

    Announced on July 15, 2021, Steam Deck is a powerful handheld gaming computer like a Switch console. However, it is not just a gaming console; it is a portable PC.

    (المزيد…)