Author: Christopher Harper

What is Proton GE, and how do you install it on Steam Deck? Is it better than the standard version of Proton that comes with the Steam Deck? Stick around and I’ll walk you through these questions, so by the end you’ll have Proton GE setup on your Deck and hopefully be playing more games as a result. How does Proton Work on Steam Deck? Proton is a compatibility layer for Linux gaming developed and maintained by Valve. The purpose of Proton is to get Windows games running on Linux with as little performance, compatibility, and graphical issues as possible.…

What are the best Steam Deck alternatives, and what makes them worth considering instead of the Steam Deck? And once we’ve covered the best alternatives, does the Steam Deck still stand on its own as a viable option, or does it get washed away by the waves of competition? Stick around to find out. Establishing The Strengths of The Steam Deck Before I start going over the alternatives, let’s talk about a few compelling strengths of the Steam Deck that make it such a standout. Alternatively, you can go ahead and skip down to the competitor’s reviews or anywhere else…

What is the best console for Backward Compatibility, and which ones should you be focusing on with this feature in mind? Why does it matter to begin with? Let’s dive right in! What is Backward Compatibility? First, a quick brief for anyone not in the loop: “backward compatibility” refers to the ability of a games console to play games from its previous console generation. As a classic example, the PlayStation 2 was known for being able to play DVDs, CDs, and even PlayStation 1 games, not just PS2 games. This used to be one of the premiere features of any…

What are the Best Steam Deck Dock alternatives and why should you be considering them over Valve’s recently-released official Dock? Stick around and I’ll walk you through the best alternatives at various price points and what makes them most compelling compared to the Steam Deck Dock. Why Are We Talking About Steam Deck Dock Alternatives? Cheaper Options Are Available The first reason to consider an alternative to Valve’s Steam Deck Dock is the pricing of the official Docking Station. At $90, that’s a pretty steep price for something that feels integral for the intended docked experience of the Steam Deck.…

Looking for a Team Fortress 2 Optimization Guide or just want help getting into the game? TF2 has been out since 2007 but has reigned in Steam’s Top 10 Most Played Games ever since, and has been one of my personal favorites for the past ten years. Stick around and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get into Team Fortress 2! Guide Goals and Contents This is my definitive guide to Getting Into Team Fortress 2. As a long-time player of Team Fortress 2, including many years spent in the game’s community-run competitive leagues as a…

The Steam Deck is a portable gaming device capable of playing modern games at 30-60 FPS in a handheld form factor, but how does it fare in emulation? Pretty well, it turns out, so I’ll be showing you how to install Emulators on Steam Deck with an all-in-one solution today. How do Emulators Work on Steam Deck? Generally-speaking, the Steam Deck can comfortably emulate most consoles until you start moving into the real emulation heavyweights: Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 3*. With these consoles, it can be harder to get full performance on Steam Deck due to the relative power…

How good is Steam Deck’s battery life, and how can you improve it as a Steam Deck owner? Today, I’ll be answering both of these questions to the best of my ability, speaking as both a Deck owner and experienced PC hardware writer. Let’s get into it! How good is Steam Deck’s battery life, in general? 11/28 Update: The release of the OLED Steam Deck changes things! While non-OLED models are unchanged, OLED Steam Deck models boast a bigger battery in addition to improvements to the screen and memory bandwidth. You can expect anywhere from 30%-50% more battery life out…

What are the best Steam Deck verified games available to play right now, and what should you do if your favorite Steam game isn’t verified? I’ll be answering these and other prominent questions about gaming on the Steam Deck today, so let’s dive right in and tell you everything you need to know. What are Steam Deck Verified Games? First and foremost, a Steam Deck Verified game is a game that Valve has tested and verified to run at 30 FPS or better at the Steam Deck’s default resolution of 720p/800p. This has been Valve’s established performance target for Steam…

What is Steam Deck shader pre-caching, and what makes it so important to the system’s functionality? To explain this, I’ll need to break down what a shader actually is, as well as some deeper aspects of how the Steam Deck works. Let’s get into it! What are Shaders? Shaders are a little complicated to explain without doing a deep dive into how 3D rendering works, but let’s start with their basic function when it comes to 3D rendering. Shaders are responsible for a great deal of the lighting and shading that goes into a given 3D scene. Some shaders are…

Today, I’m going to break down the difference between headphones and a headset for gaming. What’s the difference, why does it matter, and what audio solution is best for your gaming needs? I’ll dive into all of that below. What’s The Difference Between Headphones and a Headset? First, let’s talk about the basic difference between headphones and a headset. Headphones are just that: headphones. You wear them over or inside your ear and they serve to carry all of your audio output right to your ears. However, they have no attached microphone of their own: headphones are only for receiving…