Wondering what PC games will run well on the Steam Deck? Valve said today that it's working on a “Deck Verified” rating system that will signify which games will and will not be compatible with the handheld PC gaming device.
“We’ve already started reviewing titles and will continue to check games through launch and beyond,” the company wrote on a newly launched website for Deck Verified. In addition, Valve plans on reviewing the entire catalog on a continuous basis.
The system is straightforward: Across the entire Steam store, Valve will assign a Steam Deck rating: A green checkmark symbol indicates a game is fully verified to run well over the device.
To qualify for a fully verified checkmark, a game must support the Steam Deck’s default resolution of 1,280 by 720 or 1,280 by 800, show in-game text that’s readable, and offer full controller support. The title should also never display a software incompatibility warning when it runs on a Steam Deck.
Meanwhile, a yellow symbol means the game is playable, “but requires extra steps or manual work from the user.” “For example, you might need to bring up the on-screen keyboard to enter the name of your character, adjust graphics settings by hand, or use the touch screen to navigate a launcher,” Valve explains in a video.
Games assigned with a “no sign” are unsupported, and can’t run on the Steam Deck. This might include games that require a VR headset, or titles that clash with Proton, Valve’s software to run Windows games over the Linux-based operating system on the Steam Deck.
The final symbol is a question mark for games Valve’s review team has yet to verify. “This is an ongoing evaluation of the entire catalog and a game's rating can change over time,” the company adds. “Titles will be re-reviewed as the developer releases updates or the Deck's software improves.”
The company plans on using the ratings across the Steam Store for the Steam Deck. Clicking on a game's individual "compatibility badge" will also offer a breakdown on what you can expect.
When the rating system arrives was left unsaid. But Valve noted: “The team is currently working on a way for you to be able to check the compatibility category of each of the games in your own library ahead of launch.”