The New Steam Deck Client Update, Patch Notes Inside

Valve, the gaming giant, has unveiled the much-anticipated patch notes for the latest Steam Deck Client update, introducing an array of bug fixes and exciting new features to enhance the overall user experience on their revolutionary handheld gaming console. This eagerly awaited update arrives approximately one month after the previous one, signifying Valve’s dedication to continually improving their cutting-edge handheld gaming solution.

General Improvements: Enhancing Stability and User Experience

Since its initial release in February 2022, the Steam Deck has been a game-changer for PC players, granting them the freedom to immerse themselves in their beloved PC games while on the move. With an extensive collection of Steam Deck verified games, ranging from blockbuster open-world AAA titles to hidden indie treasures, Valve consistently expands the roster of games compatible with their handheld wonder.

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As an added bonus, players can even indulge in classic PS1 games, effectively transforming the portable console into an emulation system for a nostalgic gaming experience.

With this recent update, Valve has invested significant effort into bolstering the overall stability of the Steam Deck. Users with extensive Steam game libraries will rejoice as they encounter fewer bugs while browsing through their backlog.

Steam Input Advancements: Copy, Paste, and Navigate with Ease

To streamline the process, Valve has enabled sorting games by date on shelves and grids, allowing for a more seamless gaming experience. Those who use custom controller inputs can now effortlessly copy and paste their mappings, while the developer console now displays timestamps in the Steam console window, enhancing the development experience.

Moreover, players now have the option to enable or disable display scaling in the overlay when the handheld is used in Desktop Mode, providing a more tailored visual experience.

Full Patch Notes For Steam Deck August 2023 Update

Category	Patch Notes
General	– Improved library performance for users with large numbers of collections.
	– Fixed a hitch that some players with large libraries might encounter every 15 minutes while playing a game.
	– Fixed presentation and localization of items in the Special Offers section.
	– Fixed notifications for achievements not firing when offline.
	– Fixed a case where the wrong FPS limit could be applied on startup.
	– Fixed a case where the controller input thread could operate at normal instead of high scheduling priority.
	– Fixed styling on the login error screen and made the retry button accessible to the gamepad.
Library	– Added the ability to sort by date added to library to shelves and game grids.
Steam Input	– Added the ability to copy and paste mappings when setting up controller inputs.
	– Improved navigation in the configurator when navigating from the Preview screen.
	– Repeatedly going to Preview then an input will no longer build up loops in the back stack and you can now go back with a single B button press if you’ve not interacted with the left column.
	– Fixed some cases where navigation changes from the previous beta could result in a blank page in the configurator.
	– Fixed changing effects on PS4 and PS5 controllers when Steam Input is not enabled.
Desktop Mode	– Added In-Game setting to allow enabling or disabling display scaling in the overlay.
	– Changed behavior of overlay tabbed browser to clear all tabs when the close button is clicked and added a minimize button to hide the browser as the close button previously did.
	– Fixed wallet balance not updating in title bar when balance hits zero.
	– Fixed incorrect display of “Notify me about additions or changes to my games…” setting in interface settings if it had never been changed before.
	– Fixed a case where the UI would show the wrong image when switching between small mode and normal mode.
	– Fixed main client window taking focus from other Steam windows when navigation menus are hovered.
Developer console	– Added a setting to display timestamps in the Steam console window.
	– Changed Steam console window to keep the last several seconds of output even if that would exceed the normal buffer length.
	– Fixed command echo sometimes appearing on the same line as the previous output.
	– Fixed clear_console command not doing anything.

The enhanced stability and quality-of-life improvements of this Steam Deck update are sure to delight players, addressing various issues reported in recent months. With this newfound stability, gamers can confidently explore a myriad of exciting titles on the handheld, including popular Steam Verified games like The Last of Us Part 1 and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart.

The anticipation builds as Valve continues to expand its library, introducing a host of new games to the Deck’s ever-growing lineup in the upcoming months.

Nevertheless, Valve’s success has not gone unnoticed, with a surge of competitors vying for a piece of the handheld console gaming market. Rivals such as the Ayaneo KUN, Lenovo’s Legion Go, and the Asus ROG Ally have entered the fray, intensifying the competition. There’s even talk of the highly anticipated Starfield game making it’s way to the Steam Deck at some point.

However, despite the growing number of contenders, the portable console retains its coveted status as the top choice for discerning PC players seeking a portable gaming companion.

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As the gaming landscape evolves and innovations continue to shape the industry, Valve’s unwavering commitment to excellence and user satisfaction ensures that the handheld remains at the forefront of portable gaming technology. Embracing player feedback and consistently enhancing their product, Valve’s Steam Deck stands tall as a testament to their enduring vision for the future of gaming on the go.

Source – Steam