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IRL (In Real Life) => Tech Talk => Topic started by: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2021, 11:21:41 AM

Title: Steam Deck?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on July 16, 2021, 11:21:41 AM
What do you guys make of this?

https://www.steamdeck.com/en/?snr=1_4_4__118 (https://www.steamdeck.com/en/?snr=1_4_4__118)

Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Grim.Reaper on July 16, 2021, 11:22:59 AM
Not sure yet, but plan to reserve anyway...can make final decision in December:)
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Sir Slash on July 16, 2021, 11:27:05 AM
If it'll also drive my truck for me while I play, I'll buy it.  :bd:
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: W8taminute on July 16, 2021, 12:09:47 PM
I saw that last night when I fired up Steam.  I'm interested but a little worried.  The Steam controller that was supposed to let you play any Steam game using just that controller never really was a big success from what I've heard. 

I'm going to wait and see for a bit on this Steam Deck. 
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Silent Disapproval Robot on July 16, 2021, 12:53:05 PM
I'm of the wait and see mindset.  The types of games that I enjoy most tend toward the higher complexity end of the spectrum.  I just don't know if most would be playable on a device with such limited controls anda small screen. 
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: al_infierno on July 16, 2021, 12:57:16 PM
I'm definitely interested, I have a bunch of games on Steam that I never get around to playing because they feel more fit for a television screen or a handheld.  This at least solves half of that problem.
Title: have U seen the STEAM DECK handheld its pre-ordering on steam
Post by: MiniHexer on July 17, 2021, 12:19:19 AM
have U seen the STEAM DECK handheld its pre-ordering on steam.

it looks like you can play all your steam games on it, handheld
Title: Re: have U seen the STEAM DECK handheld its pre-ordering on steam
Post by: Yskonyn on July 17, 2021, 03:15:49 AM
Seems like a nice piece of kit if you're looking for a handheld machine. Though the entry level model seems like more of a streaming device than a dedicated gaming console. Prices ramp up quickly for the more truely handheld gaming models.

Still a bit wary, cause its not the first time Valve tries to enter this market and so far my laptop has been pretty much sufficient to stream games from my gaming rig at home, so I am probably not their target audience. :)

It's cool to see their effort though.
Title: Re: have U seen the STEAM DECK handheld its pre-ordering on steam
Post by: Pete Dero on July 17, 2021, 03:22:24 AM
Demand looks to be high :

https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-reservations-crash-store

Steam Deck Pre-Order Reservations Bring With Them Long Waits And Error Screens



https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-deck-all-our-new-exclusive-info-ign-first-valve
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Grim.Reaper on July 17, 2021, 07:59:50 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 16, 2021, 11:22:59 AM
Not sure yet, but plan to reserve anyway...can make final decision in December:)

After thinking about it more, I was just kidding myself that I would actually play a handheld game unit, just never feel comfortable with them and the type of games I play likely wouldn't translate well for me.  Therefore, I didn't even bother reserving after all. 
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: steve58 on July 17, 2021, 08:19:01 AM
If you missed out on the pre-orders, don't worry.  You can buy confirmed pre-orders off Ebay for $4,000 or so (https://uk.pcmag.com/gaming-systems/134542/a-steam-deck-for-4000-scalpers-hit-pre-orders-for-valves-handheld-pc). :DD
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: MiniHexer on July 17, 2021, 09:37:21 AM
it will drive more 3rd party devs onto steam so their games can be handheld, one springs to mind that would suit is warthunder.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: ArizonaTank on July 19, 2021, 02:31:25 PM
I can see this doing well...  and if it really takes off it may be bad news in the long run for us desktop types....

but for me personally...no interest.  A good gaming laptop would be so much more flexible (more expensive of course)...

Steam has already taken over my gaming library, I don't want them to also control my gaming rig as well.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Dammit Carl! on July 19, 2021, 02:37:09 PM
Looks pretty spiffy.  Certainly have a few games that'd do well (control-wise that is) on a system like that.

Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on July 19, 2021, 11:47:11 PM
I shall remain part of the pc master race.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: al_infierno on July 20, 2021, 05:14:24 PM
Honestly, the more news I see about this, the less and less excited I get.  It really just seems like a somewhat crappier version of the Switch but for PC games that you don't wanna play on PC.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: MiniHexer on July 21, 2021, 01:28:20 AM
Quote from: al_infierno on July 20, 2021, 05:14:24 PM
Honestly, the more news I see about this, the less and less excited I get.  It really just seems like a somewhat crappier version of the Switch but for PC games that you don't wanna play on PC.

thats one way to look at it, but as a glass half full guy i see it like this, all my steam collection that i have bought can now be played on a handheld increasing the value of my steam collection, also its likely to be mobile as steam can run offline for a few days, and if its mobile you can take it on holiday or take it on trips in the car. you can play it at night before you sleep in bed.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: al_infierno on December 15, 2022, 12:05:11 AM
So did anyone pick one of these up?  Walking back on my last comment, the impression I get is that this is actually a superior piece of hardware to the Switch.  I'm definitely considering getting one.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Sigwolf on December 15, 2022, 09:51:56 AM
I'm just waiting for the first-gen beta testers to work out the wrinkles.  :buck2: Once version 2 is released I'll probably grab one.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 15, 2022, 10:11:51 AM
Someone tried to trade me one on OfferUp for my Radeon 6900XT. I declined, but I am certainly curious.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Sigwolf on December 15, 2022, 02:57:50 PM
Looks like I may be waiting a while for the Deck 2, but I'm going to hold fast...

https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/no-steam-deck-2-for-little-bit-longer-says-valve
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: ArizonaTank on December 15, 2022, 03:25:54 PM
Quote from: Sigwolf on December 15, 2022, 02:57:50 PM
Looks like I may be waiting a while for the Deck 2, but I'm going to hold fast...

https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/no-steam-deck-2-for-little-bit-longer-says-valve

Looks like 2023 might be a heavy business travel year for me. My lenovo legion gaming laptop is just a little heavy to be fun carrying around. My work laptop is a definite 'no-go' for any type of personal software. So while I am still a little skeptical, a Steam Deck might actually work for the road.

It seems to be optimized for console type games. Any thoughts on how it plays with strategy games? Can you play Terra Invicta with no issues?
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: al_infierno on December 15, 2022, 06:49:27 PM
Quote from: ArizonaTank on December 15, 2022, 03:25:54 PM
Quote from: Sigwolf on December 15, 2022, 02:57:50 PM
Looks like I may be waiting a while for the Deck 2, but I'm going to hold fast...

https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/no-steam-deck-2-for-little-bit-longer-says-valve

Looks like 2023 might be a heavy business travel year for me. My lenovo legion gaming laptop is just a little heavy to be fun carrying around. My work laptop is a definite 'no-go' for any type of personal software. So while I am still a little skeptical, a Steam Deck might actually work for the road.

It seems to be optimized for console type games. Any thoughts on how it plays with strategy games? Can you play Terra Invicta with no issues?

Welp, I pulled the trigger so in a couple weeks I'll be able to tell you.  Maybe even sooner if the rumors I'm hearing are true about super-fast shipping.

My impression is similar to yours about it being optimized for console style games.  That said, if you don't mind taking the docking station and some cables with you, it looks like you could hook it up to your work laptop to basically "stream" from the Deck onto your laptop screen and peripherals without installing any no-no software on your laptop.  Not 100% sure how well that works, but the capability is theoretically there.

Terra Invicta is listed on the Store page as being fully Steam Deck compatible, but not sure how comfortable it would be to play with the handheld controls.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Gusington on December 15, 2022, 08:09:20 PM
I am really intrigued by the deck but I fear I would do nothing but play games 24 hours a day if I had that kind of portability. Especially action RPGs and similar...games like that seem perfect for it.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Toonces on January 30, 2024, 04:41:05 PM
I'm finding myself looking at this again.  Any updated impressions?
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Gusington on January 30, 2024, 09:07:09 PM
A new guy at work is a gamer and he got a Steam deck a few months ago. He absolutely loves it for action games and RPGs. He does not play sims or strategy games.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: Toonces on January 31, 2024, 09:08:44 AM
I was reading through the whole thread and I'm kinda with Minihexer.  I think I'd play a lot more of my untouched Steam library if I had a little handheld system I could play on the couch.
Title: Re: Steam Deck?
Post by: al_infierno on January 31, 2024, 11:01:31 PM
Quote from: Toonces on January 30, 2024, 04:41:05 PMI'm finding myself looking at this again.  Any updated impressions?

I haven't played my deck in a while, but it's a fine piece of hardware and I'd say I got my money's worth out of it..  The battery life is a bit on the short side, but it's way more powerful than the Switch and, as you mentioned, it gives me a chance to play lots of games in my backlog that are just not quite as compelling on a keyboard and mouse.  Vampire Survivors being a pretty good example.