Since its release, Palworld has taken the gaming community by storm, blending creature-collection gameplay with survival and crafting mechanics in a unique “Pokémon-meets-guns” formula. However, as more players look to enjoy the game on different platforms, a common question has emerged: Can Palworld be played on the Steam Deck? This article aims to dissect the compatibility of Palworld with Valve’s handheld device and clear up confusion surrounding its playability and support status.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Palworld is currently labeled as “Unsupported” on the Steam Deck by Valve, but that doesn’t mean it’s unplayable. In fact, many players are successfully running the game with some tweaks and workarounds. There are performance issues and control quirks, but overall, it’s functional. The community is hopeful that future updates from the developers or Valve might improve official support.
What Does “Unsupported” Mean on the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck uses a compatibility rating system to inform users about how well a game is expected to perform on the device. The categories are:
- Verified: Fully functional and optimized for Steam Deck.
- Playable: Works, but may require manual adjustment.
- Unsupported: Not officially supported; may not work out-of-the-box.
When Palworld is categorized as “Unsupported,” Valve is indicating that the game has not been tested extensively or it failed tests for smooth operation. This could be due to issues with the anti-cheat software, graphical performance, required launchers, or controls not mapping correctly.
Can You Still Play Palworld on Steam Deck?
Yes, Palworld can still be played on the Steam Deck with some caveats. Despite the “Unsupported” label, it launches and is mostly functional for many users. Gamers have taken to forums and Reddit to share their success stories and tips for running the game.
Here are a few details to know:
- It is best played in desktop mode using Proton or a customized compatibility layer.
- Users may need to install additional dependencies or tweak graphics settings for smoother performance.
- Some minor elements, such as font scaling or UI placement, may not display correctly on the Steam Deck’s screen.
These inconveniences aside, gameplay is largely stable and smooth in offline mode. Players should be aware, however, that online multiplayer may encounter connectivity issues due to anti-cheat incompatibilities with Proton, the compatibility layer used by Steam Deck to run Windows games.
Performance and Controls
The Steam Deck, while powerful for a handheld, has limitations when it comes to demanding 3D games like Palworld. The game’s graphical settings need to be toned down to maintain stable frame rates. Users report that running the game at medium to low settings provides acceptable performance, typically around 30 to 40 FPS.
As for the controls, Palworld does not yet have controller-friendly UI adjustments for the Steam Deck. Key mapping should be adjusted manually via Steam’s controller configuration tool. Some players have also noted that menus and inventory management are easier with a keyboard and mouse, although full play is still possible using the Steam Deck’s built-in controls.
Steps to Launch Palworld on Steam Deck
If you’re determined to try playing Palworld on your Steam Deck, here is what you need to do:
- Install the game as you would with any Steam title.
- Force Proton Compatibility. Right-click on the game in your Steam Library, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.” Choose the latest version of Proton.
- Launch in Desktop Mode. Some players find better success launching the game from Desktop mode rather than directly from Gaming Mode.
- Lower your graphic settings immediately, and consider locking your framerate for better battery performance.
- Tweak controls using Steam input configuration, or try community-created controller profiles suited for Deck play.
Why Hasn’t Palworld Been Optimized Yet for Steam Deck?
Palworld is still in its early access phase at the time of writing. The development team, Pocketpair, is actively working on game patches, bug fixes, and feature additions. Steam Deck support, while highly requested, may be on the back burner as the developers prioritize core gameplay issues and server stability.
Additionally, if the game uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) or similar software not compatible with Proton by default, implementing support demands extensive collaboration between developers and Valve. These hurdles are expected to be addressed as the game matures.
Community Workarounds and Tips
The community has stepped up to provide guides and tweaks to help make Palworld a more pleasant experience on the Steam Deck. Popular tips include:
- Using Proton GE (GloriousEggroll), a community-built Proton version with better compatibility for new games.
- Disabling anti-aliasing and shadows to improve frame rates significantly.
- Running the game with launch options like
PROTON_NO_ESYNC=1to reduce stuttering. - Joining forums like the Steam Community and Reddit r/SteamDeck for the latest updates and settings.
With these adjustments, countless players report that Palworld is very playable and enjoyable on the Deck, even if it’s not officially marked as such.
What Does the Future Hold?
Valve and Pocketpair have both made strides in supporting new titles on Steam Deck. With the increasing popularity of Palworld, it’s likely that pressure from the community will encourage Pocketpair to prioritize full compatibility.
Valve frequently updates Proton and SteamOS to increase compatibility with Unreal Engine-based and multiplayer titles. It’s highly likely that an update in the near future might move Palworld from “Unsupported” to “Playable,” if not fully “Verified.”
Conclusion
Despite its “Unsupported” rating, Palworld is indeed playable on the Steam Deck with the right settings and a bit of patience. Enthusiastic players have found ways to enjoy the full experience, and support is likely to improve in upcoming patches. It’s a classic case of “unsupported” not equaling “unplayable,” especially in the vibrant and adaptive world of PC gaming.
FAQ: Palworld on Steam Deck
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Q: Is Palworld available on Steam Deck?
A: Yes, it can be installed and run, though currently marked as “Unsupported”. -
Q: Will Palworld damage my Steam Deck if I play it?
A: No, the worst that might happen is poor performance or glitches—nothing hardware-related. -
Q: Is multiplayer functional on Steam Deck?
A: Multiplayer may face issues due to anti-cheat incompatibilities, but some users make it work in offline or LAN mode. -
Q: What kind of performance can I expect?
A: With medium to low settings, expect 30–40 FPS on average. -
Q: Do I need to install Proton GE to play?
A: You don’t have to, but Proton GE can improve stability and compatibility with modern games like Palworld.
As always, user experiences can vary based on game updates, software versions, and your personal tweaks. Keep an eye on community forums for the latest info!