Steam Deck: Playing Avowed

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Post on Feb 15, 2025

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Steam Deck: Playing Avowed - A Perfect Pairing?

The highly anticipated RPG Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment is just around the corner, and many gamers are wondering: Can I play Avowed on my Steam Deck? The short answer is a resounding maybe. While official confirmation is still pending, the Steam Deck's capabilities and Avowed's likely specifications suggest a strong possibility, albeit with potential caveats. This article dives deep into the compatibility, exploring what we know and what we can expect.

Avowed's System Requirements: A Deck-Sized Puzzle

The biggest factor determining Avowed's Steam Deck playability is its system requirements. Obsidian hasn't yet released the official specs, but based on previous Obsidian titles and the game's advertised scope, we can make some educated guesses. Expect Avowed to require:

• A powerful CPU: The Steam Deck's custom AMD APU is surprisingly robust, but demanding games will still push it.
• Sufficient RAM: 8GB is the standard for the Steam Deck, hopefully enough for a smooth experience.
• A decent GPU: This is where things get interesting. Avowed's visuals are expected to be impressive, potentially taxing the Deck's integrated graphics.

Therefore, achieving playable frame rates might require tweaking the graphics settings. Expect to lower settings like shadows, textures, and anti-aliasing to achieve a stable experience.

Testing the Waters: Similar Games on the Steam Deck

To gauge Avowed's potential performance, let's look at comparable RPGs already playable on the Steam Deck. Games like The Outer Worlds (another Obsidian title), Fallout 4, and Divinity: Original Sin 2 offer a good benchmark. These games, while demanding, generally run well on the Steam Deck with adjustments to the graphics settings. This suggests Avowed should also be playable, albeit potentially with compromises.

Optimizing Your Steam Deck for Avowed

Even if Avowed proves to be demanding, several steps can maximize your chances of a smooth experience:

• Update your Steam Deck's firmware: Ensure you have the latest updates for optimal performance.
• Adjust in-game settings: Experiment with different graphic presets and individual settings (resolution, shadows, etc.) to find the best balance between visuals and performance.
• Utilize Proton: If the game doesn't have native Steam Deck support, Proton (Steam's compatibility layer for Windows games) will likely be necessary. Ensure you are using the latest version of Proton.
• Consider a microSD card: A larger microSD card can provide additional storage space if Avowed takes up a significant amount of space.

The Verdict: Playable, but Prepare for Compromises

While a definitive answer awaits the official release and subsequent player experiences, the signs point towards Avowed being playable on the Steam Deck, but likely requiring some graphical compromises. Don't expect to run it at maximum settings and maintain a consistently high frame rate. However, with some tweaking and patience, you should be able to enjoy this RPG on your handheld device.

Beyond the Game: Community and Support

Remember, the Steam Deck community is a fantastic resource. Once Avowed releases, countless players will be sharing their experiences, tips, and optimized settings. Forums, subreddits, and Steam discussions will be invaluable for troubleshooting and discovering the best ways to play Avowed on your Steam Deck.

Stay tuned for updates and reviews after the launch of Avowed! We'll continue to monitor its performance on the Steam Deck and update this article accordingly. Remember to check the Steam Deck compatibility database for the most up-to-date information.