What does a game need to run on Steamdeck?

Questions
#1

Hi! We recently released a game on Steam (Save 15% on Kaiju Control Force on Steam) and someone told us that it doesn’t even launch on Steamdeck. Since this is the first commercial game we release with Defold there are still missing pieces for us - the last one we released on Steam was made with Unity and it worked on Steamdeck without us doing anything about it.

Is there something we need to do to make it work on a Steamdeck? Here are the official recommendations but I have no idea if we are not doing something. Maybe using the Vulkan API?

Would love to fix whatever it is. Thanks!

2 Likes
#2

Congratulations on the release!

Are you offering Linux builds? That’s what I do and never had any issues.

1 Like
#3

No! Maybe that’s it? But I don’t remember offering Linux versions with Unity… I could certainly build and release for Linux too. I may try today! : )

#4

Tried booting the game up on my Steam Deck and can confirm it doesn’t launch. Tried Proton Experimental as well and no luck.

If you get a Linux build up please let me know and I will try it!

#5

I tried, but kept getting an out of time error when building X( Will keep trying and report back when it’s available! Thanks!

#6

Wait, maybe it’s because there’s no 32 bit version? Because Steamdeck is not linux, is it? And I only uploaded a 64bits version…

#7

Steam Deck runs SteamOS which is Linux, 64 bit. It does use Proton which should enable Windows games to be played. I have always just put up native Linux builds however, which is why I suggested it.

1 Like
#8

Ooooh, I see. Ok, building! :smiley:

#9

This is the (known) issue for Windows builds…

3 Likes
#10

Ah. So a Linux build should not be needed, right? But also a Linux build should make it run.

Tried to build for Linux but folder came up empty. Will try again tomorrow…

#11

yes, but running a native app or game on an OS (in this case, Linux) always performs better. I highly recommend uploading a Linux build. Proton (a port of Wine) is just a compatibility layer for Windows apps and games on Linux. It’s a great tool, but it will never be as performant as a native app or game.

Any errors on console?

2 Likes
#12

Nope, just
imagen

I get a bunch of these and then it works.

#13

Ok, built and sent! I’m waiting for a contact to test it on his steamdeck ^-^