Steam Deck Can Be Used as a Controller for Your PC via Remote Play

Valve has published an updated Steam Deck FAQ on the official website, answering quite a few questions that we all had about the upcoming handheld gaming PC.

To brainstorm with, we got confirmation that the Steam Deck can indeed exist used as a controller for your PC games via Remote Play functionality. Given how fully featured and customizable the controller looks similar with its capacitive thumbsticks, trackpads, and additional rear buttons (not to mention the gyroscope and haptic feedback), information technology'south great news indeed. A while ago, Valve even demonstrated the controller's unique trackpad and gyroscope controls combination.

Other noteworthy tidbits from the FAQ are that the new UI will indeed supervene upon Big Picture mode on Steam, though Valve said the rollout will happen in stages. Additionally, the handheld gaming PC supports multi-boot, allowing users to select between dissimilar operating systems at each boot.

Valve'due south device will start shipping in December 2021 for those lucky users that got in the first wave of pre-orders. The rest will have to wait for 2022.

Tin can you have multiple Steam accounts on 1 Steam Deck?

Yes, and each account on a Steam Deck will keep its own local salvage data and settings.

Tin I run non-Steam games through Proton on Steam Deck?
Yes, you can run non-Steam games through Proton.

Will Steam on Steam Deck have an 'Add a Game' characteristic similar Steam on desktop?
Yep, we'll back up adding games like we do for the desktop Steam customer.

Will the UI on Steam Deck replace Big Moving picture?
That is what we're aiming for, though the rollout volition happen in stages.

Will improvements to Proton for Steam Deck (like anti-crook support) also apply to Proton on desktop?
Yes, these improvements will make information technology to all systems using Proton.

How volition SteamOS and Steam Deck handle offline way when it comes to launching games?
But like a PC, you'll need to be online to download games and play online multiplayer games. Once a game is installed on disk, y'all can play while offline unless the game requires an internet connection.

What file system format does the microSD carte du jour use on Steam Deck?
Steam Deck microSD cards utilize ext4 with casefolding - Steam Deck formats SD cards to the proper format.

Can Steam Deck exist used as a PC controller?
Yes, you can connect it to a PC via Remote Play and utilise it as a controller.

Volition Steam Deck work with PC VR headsets?
While technically a PC VR headset tin be connected, it is non optimized for PC VR experiences.

Does docking the Deck improve performance?
No, docking is more alike to plugging a USB-C hub into a PC. Information technology runs at full performance in portable way.

What kinds of screens do the 64 GB and 256 GB models have?
All models accept a glass screen (optically bonded IPS LCD). The 512 GB model'due south screen has an additional anti-glare etched treatment applied to it.

What kinds of haptics does the Steam Deck have?
It has dual LRA motors, one nether each trackpad.

Does the sound jack back up sound + mic?
Yes, CTIA standard layout.

Is the touchscreen multitouch?
Yep, 10 fingers.

How long is the charging cablevision?
1.5 meters, or four.9 anxiety.

Will Steam Deck be sold in retail stores?
It is simply available directly via Steam. We may be partnering with retailers equally nosotros make it available in more regions - more data about that soon.

What can you tell united states of america about the BIOS and does it allow dual-boot?
Multi-boot is supported - you can take multiple OSes installed and choose which i to kicking into. Users will have access to the BIOS menu.

Can yous kicking an OS off the SD card?
Aye, boot from microSD is supported.

Will Steam Deck support external GPUs?
No, external GPUs are not supported.

Tin can I change the model after I've already reserved?
No, in one case yous've reserved information technology, the only way to change your model is to cancel and reserve again (this would put you at the end of the queue for your region).