Avowed Steam Deck Compatibility

kobexielite 𝕯𝖎𝖌𝖎𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖆

You need 3 min read

·

Post on Feb 15, 2025

31 visitor like this post

Share

Avowed Steam Deck Compatibility: Can You Play Obsidian's RPG on the Handheld?

Obsidian Entertainment's highly anticipated RPG, Avowed, has generated significant buzz among gamers. Many are wondering: Will Avowed run on the Steam Deck? The short answer is… it's complicated, but likely yes, with some caveats. Let's delve deeper into the Avowed Steam Deck compatibility and what you can expect.

Understanding Avowed's System Requirements

Before we dive into Steam Deck specifics, let's examine Avowed's anticipated system requirements. While Obsidian hasn't officially released these, we can make educated guesses based on the game's visuals and gameplay style. We expect Avowed to be a relatively demanding title, requiring a decent CPU and GPU to achieve optimal performance. This suggests that native support on the Steam Deck might be a challenge at higher graphical settings.

Expected System Requirements (Speculation):

• CPU: A relatively powerful CPU comparable to at least a Ryzen 5 3500U or Intel i5-8300H.
• GPU: A dedicated GPU with performance similar to a GTX 1650 or better. This is crucial for handling the game's visuals and potential large-scale environments.
• RAM: 16GB of RAM is likely to be recommended for optimal performance, though 8GB might be sufficient at lower settings.
• Storage: A substantial amount of storage will be needed, likely exceeding 50GB, due to the game's size and potential high-resolution textures.

Steam Deck's Capabilities

The Steam Deck, while a powerful handheld, doesn't match the capabilities of high-end gaming PCs. Its custom AMD APU provides impressive performance for its size and price point, but it does have limitations. The key factor will be how well Avowed's engine optimizes for the Deck's hardware.

Predicting Avowed's Steam Deck Performance

Given the predicted system requirements and the Steam Deck's specifications, we can predict a few scenarios:

Scenario 1: Native Playability (High Settings)

This scenario is less likely. Achieving a consistently smooth frame rate at high graphical settings on the Steam Deck will likely require significant optimization from Obsidian.

Scenario 2: Native Playability (Low to Medium Settings)

This is the more realistic scenario. Running Avowed at lower or medium graphical settings should be achievable, potentially delivering a playable experience. You might need to compromise on visual fidelity for smoother gameplay.

Scenario 3: Proton Compatibility

If native support proves challenging, Avowed might utilize Proton, Steam's compatibility layer for Windows games. Proton's capabilities have improved significantly, making it possible to run many Windows games on the Steam Deck. However, the success of Proton with Avowed will depend on the game's engine and how well it interacts with Proton.

Tips for Optimizing Avowed on Steam Deck

Regardless of the native compatibility, these tips can improve your experience:

• Lower graphical settings: Reduce resolution, texture quality, and other graphical settings to improve performance.
• FSR (Fidelity Super Resolution): If supported, utilize FSR to upscale the game's resolution, maintaining visual quality while minimizing performance impact.
• Proper power settings: Ensure the Steam Deck's power settings are optimized for performance.
• Keep the Deck cool: Overheating can significantly impact performance; make sure the Deck is well-ventilated.

Conclusion: Playable, But Expect Compromises

While a definitive answer regarding Avowed's Steam Deck compatibility awaits the game's release and subsequent testing, it's highly probable that you'll be able to play it on the handheld. However, be prepared to potentially compromise on graphical settings to achieve acceptable performance. Keep an eye on Steam reviews and community forums after release for the most accurate assessment of Avowed's Steam Deck performance. The game's optimization and the power of Proton will be key factors in determining the final verdict.