I haven't personally seen this before: A publisher asking journalists to make sure NOT to preview/review its game on a Steam Deck. "Steam Deck: Please play this preview on traditional PC hardware; it’s not intended for use on portable hardware." Should portable plats get their own review take? - ThreadSky

crecente.bsky.social • 4 days ago

I haven't personally seen this before:

A publisher asking journalists to make sure NOT to preview/review its game on a Steam Deck.

"Steam Deck: Please play this preview on traditional PC hardware; it’s not intended for use on portable hardware."

Should portable plats get their own review take?

Comments

albertl.bsky.social•4 days ago

honestly, yes

danstapleton.bsky.social•4 days ago

I've seen quite a bit of that, even on games that eventually are Steam Deck verified. Seems like SD optimization happens at the very end of a lot of dev processes.

neroangelo.com•3 days ago

I mean,I think it's a fair request if the game isn't SteamDeck verified yet.

geekelite.geekerific.com•4 days ago

Because of the way PC portables have positioned themselves, I'd say yes. For the most part developers are building for traditional PCs, and most PC handhelds are held together with duct tape and gum wrappers.

I think it's a different ballgame.

geekelite.geekerific.com•4 days ago

At the very least I think the default review hardware for a PC game should be an actual PC, with handhelds being a *portion* of the review, but not the whole thing.

I don't thing a handheld should be the primary review hardware for any PC game.

kanaratron.bsky.social•4 days ago

How odd. We targeted Steam Deck so would have been more than happy for it to be reviewed on that. Especially versus an ancient laptop with keyboard controls.

georgefrankly.bsky.social•4 days ago

So, if the listing makes zero claims about deck compatibility... yeah, actually, I think that's fair. Don't drag them down for not having a function they didn't claim to have.

However, even if the compatibility notice is valve's decision more than the devs, then it's fair game.

cheshirespurr.comfycozygaming.com•4 days ago

If it's not Steam Deck certified (or is awaiting certification), then this makes sense. If it IS certified, I feel like it'd be disingenuous to not put that in the same review as people would likely be buying it for both if they see it's for Steam.

But that's just me.

ginsoakedboy21.bsky.social•4 days ago

This is such a dumb question but ok here we are..

- The Steam Deck (or ROG Ally, my choice) are awesome
- For indie games, AA titles, and AAA titles from a few years back - absolutely incredible, chef's kiss, 10/10
- Anyone reviewing a new title on a Steam Deck is an idiot. Wrong use case entirely.

easbygames.bsky.social•4 days ago

I don't know that that would really be feasible. Not every game can be designed with those specs in mind, and if it would hamper the game I'd much rather be told that upfront before previewing than find out for myself

nscottg.bsky.social•4 days ago

I've always thought so

Steam Deck isn't as powerful as a modern gaming PC but the developers could have a Steam Deck mode on the game where it runs well on Steam Deck

nickmanwrites.bsky.social•4 days ago

I've seen this a few times. I still check to see if I can play it with an SD. It usually works, and they're just covering their bases.

Feel like unless it's specifically marketed as a portable game, that's a reasonable request.

sliwinski.bsky.social•4 days ago

Can’t speak directly toward this example.

However, I can speak for Siegecaster. The game is fully playable with controller (and feels good), so it’s totally playable on SD. However, some folks may find certain elements small (even if it is totally good to go ✅), so not pushing and/or steering away.

carlivelocci.com•4 days ago

no, but I think a publisher saying this is pretty smart. Not all games can be played with controller, just like not all games can be played with a mouse & keyboard.

borisbelawiz.bsky.social•4 days ago

I guess it's also more a performance question, especially if the game is more taxing on hardware.

anthonyt.bsky.social•4 days ago

I've seen it quite a bit. PR usually says whether the game is targeting Steam Deck verification but they say not to do the review/preview on the handheld. I've also seen the opposite where PR encourages giving the SD version a try to discuss performance.

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