What’s Next After The Steam Deck?
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The Steam Deck, a PC-powered mobile console that was released in 2022, has been receiving attention for its quality-of-life improvements and new features. The device, which earned one of CNET’s Editors’ Choice awards, has been praised for its unique blend of PC gaming power and mobile portability.
In a recent interview with The Verge, the designers of the Steam Deck, Lawrence Yang, and Pierre-Loup Griffais discussed the plans for future updates and improvements to the device. The team wants to address two main shortcomings in the next version of the Steam Deck: the screen and the battery. The current Steam Deck’s battery is difficult to remove due to its adhesive placement, and the team is working on a new hardware revision to make it easier to remove while still keeping it securely in place. This will not only make it easier for users to replace the battery but also ensure that the device is more durable in the long run.
Valve, the company behind the Steam Deck, also revealed that they will not be releasing a more powerful mid-generation Steam Deck Pro, unlike Sony and Microsoft. Instead, they plan to keep all consoles on the same performance spec to make it simpler for game developers and users to know what to expect. This approach is similar to that of Nintendo, who also refrained from making a Switch Pro despite having the capability to do so. By keeping the performance spec consistent, Valve hopes to make it easier for game developers to create games that will run well on all Steam Deck devices, and for users to know what kind of performance they can expect from their devices.
Valve has also made hardware tweaks in response to customer complaints, such as swapping out the internal fan after it was causing a high-pitched whine. The team has also introduced an “engineered foam solution” that quieted it down. This shows that Valve is dedicated to ensuring that its customers have a great experience with their device and that they are willing to make changes to improve it.
The team also plans to release updates every month for the ‘Stable’ software tier, to address bugs that have been cropping up. This will ensure that the device remains stable and that users continue to have a great experience with it.
Lastly, the team mentioned they have plans to release a Steam Controller 2, but it is a matter of when and how it will happen. The Steam Controller has been praised for its unique design and features, and the release of a new version will likely be eagerly anticipated by fans of the device.
In conclusion, the Steam Deck is an exciting and innovative device that has received positive attention since its release. Valve’s plans for future updates and improvements, as well as their commitment to customer satisfaction, suggest that the Steam Deck will continue to be a popular and successful device in the future.
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