Valve, the company that owns Steam, might not really make games anymore, but it doesn't just operate the Steam storefront, either. In May, an Ars Technica report foretold that a portable Steam device would be happening, and now that forecast has come to pass. Today, Valve announced the Steam Deck, a portable PC that will come in three configurations starting at $399. We expect it to be an excellent way to take co-op Steam games on the go.
The Steam Deck utilizes a Nintendo Switch-like form factory (though it is larger), with dual analog sticks, dual touchpads, and a D-Pad and buttons built into the face of the device. It runs Steam OS and features the following tech specs:
CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz (up to 1.6 TFlops FP32)
RAM 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM (5500 MT/s)
Storage
64 GB eMMC (PCIe Gen 2 x1)
256 GB NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
512 GB high-speed NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 3 x4)
The device will be sold in three configurations with SSDs of varying sizes and speeds. All three models have a microSD card slot for additional storage.
$399 64GB
64GB eMMC internal storage Carrying case$529 256GB
256GB NVMe SSD internal storage Faster storage Carrying case Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle$649 512GB
512GB NVMe SSD internal storage Fastest storage Premium anti-glare etched glass Exclusive carrying case Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle Exclusive virtual keyboard themeThe Steam Deck can connect to TVs and monitors via a dock that will be sold separately. It also supports mice, keyboards, and controllers.
Given these impressive features (and assuming high compatibility with non-Linux Steam games), the Steam Deck should be an excellent way to play co-op games in a variety of settings. The number of cooperative Steam games is almost uncountable, but here are some co-op games that we've covered recently:
Local co-op games Capcom Arcade Stadium The Captain is Dead Gelly Break Deluxe Mina & Michi Pile Up! Box by Box Skellboy Refractured A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Ghoul Patrol Online co-op games Aliens: Fireteam Elite Allmighty: Kill Your Gods Bang-On Balls: Chronicles Borderlands 3 Earth Defense Force: World Brothers Hanako: Honor & Blade Killing Floor 2 Strange Brigade Tetris Effect: Connected Games with both local AND online co-op Blightbound Get Packed: Fully Loaded Lumberhill Streets of Rage 4The D-Pad and face buttons are a bit close to the edge of the device, aren't they?
The Steam Deck starts shipping in December. Preorders go live on Friday, July 16. A $5 deposit is required, and only Steam accounts that have made a purchase before June 2021 will be able to preorder during the first 48 hours. Visit the official SteamDeck website for more information.