Valve's Steam Deck—its handheld gaming PC—is due to ship in December 2021. So, it makes sense that Valve is busy optimizing its platform to give new Steam Deck owners the Steam experience when their new rig lands.
One such optimization initiative is "Deck Verified", which Valve hopes will make Steam Deck-compatible games easier to find. Here's the details.
Valve Launches Deck Verified Program
According to the Verified page at SteamDeck.com, Valve is currently "reviewing the entire Steam catalog" to ascertain exactly which titles will and which titles won't work with the Steam Deck.
This work is currently underway, and will be a massive undertaking for Valve, considering the sheer volume of titles available through its online marketplace.
However, it does mean that gamers can tell which games in their library will work on the Steam Deck, once it is in their hands.
What Is Valve's Deck Verified Program?
The Deck Verified program is essentially a new rating system for games on the Steam marketplace and in your library. Valve is reviewing each game individually. It says:
After each game is reviewed, it is categorized for its level of compatibility of Steam Deck. You’ll see these categories on Steam, when you’re browsing your library or shopping for games on Deck.
So, you'll see the Steam Deck Verified statuses all over your Steam Deck, which is great news. But how do you find these new ratings?
How to Find a Game's Steam Deck Verified Status
Knowing which games have already gone through the Steam Deck Verified process is easy. You'll see a compatibility badge, on each game in your library or on the store, indicating Valve has reviewed the game for Steam Deck verification.
You'll see the status on the game artwork, if you're checking your library, or below the artwork and next to the price, if you're perusing the store. The front page of the Steam Store will also have a new tab, "Great On Deck", which shows all the games that have fully passed the verification process.
In each case, Valve will have assigned the title one of four categories, which makes it easier to discern which games are perfect for the Steam Deck.
What Categories Will Steam Deck Verified Use?
Valve has broken games down into four categories. These are:
- Verified: The game will work perfectly on Steam Deck straight out of the box.
- Playable: The game works, but might require some additional modification to play. This can include things like using the touch screen to access a launcher, for example.
- Unsupported: The game doesn't work on Steam Deck.
- Unknown: Valve hasn't verified the game for Steam Deck, yet.
To achieve verified status, Valve says a game must match certain criteria:
- Input: The game works with Steam Deck's on-board controls.
- Seamlessness: The game shouldn't display any compatibility warnings when you launch it.
- Display: The game should support the Steam Deck native resolution.
- System Support: If you use a platform like Proton, the game should support it and all of its functions.
So, a fairly rigorous process from Valve, then.
Will You Buy the Steam Deck?
If so, then you have plenty to look forward to, not least instantly knowing which games are compatible with your Steam Deck the second you fire it up. If you're not 100% taken with the Steam Deck, then there are plenty of other options available for you to try instead.