Liam @ GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮

PCGamesN: "The Steam Deck is missing an important element – exclusives"

Me: With much respect: no.

Exclusives suck. The Steam Deck is a PC. It runs games made for Linux and Windows. It would mean making a game only for Linux and locking it to Steam Deck - just no. Can we please not entertain that idea?

Only console fanboy zealots like exclusives.

Dec 27, 2022 at 8:06pmWeb
Show threadLiam @ GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮Dec 27, 2022

Buying a game for Linux or Windows and knowing it will quite likely run on Steam Deck is its Superpower.

Lets not add soul-sucking Kryptonite.

Show threadLiam @ GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮Dec 27, 2022

Previously exclusive games from PlayStation make its way to Windows and can run on Steam Deck / Linux desktop thanks to Proton.

THAT is what we should continue to champion, bringing *more*, not locking things down.

Show threadivoryDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux a console shouldn't be hampered by the exclusive games on the console, but the price, form factor, specs, and ergonomics.
Show threadLucky☆Star  Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Love playing uncharted on linux
Show threadNicholas-ITSuluDec 28, 2022

@gamingonlinux

I boosted this because #Proton and #WINE are both amazing. They allow you to run a large amount of software written for #Widows to run on #Linux. Proton is focus on #games, including AAA games.

There are many use cases for business, especially when combined with #k8s #containers #microservices #automation

Show threadAndrzej StamburskiDec 28, 2022
@gamingonlinux I'm playing mostly massively multiplayer games. From this perspective, the more people play the same games as me, the better. I don't care which computer they play on.
Show threadLorenzoDec 29, 2022
@gamingonlinux I just want to be able to play anything anywhere with anyone 😵‍💫
Show threadbdmphotoDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux same people that like platform exclusives like loot boxes and micro transactions. 🤮
Show threadPelle WessmanDec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux And the Steam Deck is just the first of the new Proton generation of #SteamOS devices

Google and Valve are already enabling Chromebooks to run Steam games using Proton and Tesla also did.

Making it a Steam Deck exclusive would stop it from working on any of the other devices, which would be insane.

(Although, I guess Epic would do this if there were an “Epic Deck”)

Show threadテンセイ ・ tensei Dec 28, 2022
@voxpelli @gamingonlinux I don't think Epic is that far gone that they would make something exclusive to a hardware device (outside of technical requirements/special interfaces), which makes it rather weird that one would suggest a *device* exclusive title on Steam, rather than just Steam platform exclusive (which to be fair, there are quite a few).
Show threadAlexis LAMEIRE #Apero 🌈🍺🖧Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux and protondb is a good and easy way to check.
It's had been never so easy to play games on linux
Show threaddylan Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux considering it can run a switch emulator, you could credit it with all of nintendo’s exclusives!
Show threadmetallcorn 🐧Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I always thought that the main idea of Steam Deck was the тщ exclusives. Only your library is everywhere with you.
Show threadBrett ADec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux OMG, that is soo annoying. Exclusives are never a welcome feature, always an annoyance.
Show threadOmonarc Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I would say the lack of exclusives is the superpower of the #SteamDeck Buy a game once and you can run it on any PC you want (so long as it can actually run it.)
Show threadRobin BairnDec 27, 2022

@the9thdude @gamingonlinux The fact that I already had a collection of games that I could play day one was a deciding factor in getting a Steam Deck.

...I then went and got a bunch more games specifically for the Deck, but that's beside the point.

Show threadLuigi de GuzmanDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux The one good thing about the Steam Deck is that it's giving a consistent hardware/software target for developers. That's valuable.
Show threadMudManDec 27, 2022

@Ouij @gamingonlinux It really does not, though.

There are already less and more powerful handheld PCs in the market, some getting dangerously close to the Deck's top end pricing while beating it on performance.

The Deck ensured that market segment is viable, which is a big deal, but it is far from a static, console-like target.

Which is fine. I don't even know what "exclusives" is supposed to mean in the handheld PC ecosystem, either.

Show threadPelle WessmanDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux 💯💯
Show threadHitaloDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux One of the biggest alienations is the idea that exclusivity is what makes a console good.
Show threadDr. Guillermo Power Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux this! Exactly this. A console and a Steam Deck are not the same thing.
Show threaddeltatuxDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux

No reason for exclusives and Valve has previously stated that they see it as another PC form factor and won't push for exclusives. Exclusives suck for gamers, they're only good for platform holders.
Show threadomg! ubuntuDec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux C'mon Liam, stop sitting on the fence dude. Say how you really feel! xP

But yeah, what you said 100%. exclusives kinda defeat the point: like, art is something to be enjoyed, and when it's an exclusive and % of people can't enjoy it, meh.

Show threadFabian【ファビアン】🏳️‍🌈Dec 27, 2022
@omgubuntu @gamingonlinux What do you talk about? The exclusive is the linux system it's based on. Good luck trying to run an office suite on your Switch, PS5 or Xbox$Number.
Show threadRedCyberLizzie   Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux exclusives will always make their way to PC, usually with help from free open source software such as emulators, wine, and the amazing people who crack games so they remove bad DRM that does nothing but lock these games away. They need to go ahead and stop with the exclusives. I doubt thats something that gabe newell will even put a thought into seeing as how he hated windows 8 because of the exclusivity of the microsoft store and immediately started focusing to linux.
Show threadSylver W. PoulsenDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Exclusives would be insane, and the fact that they exist at all I will never understand.
What I feel would be better were if the developers instead added something along the lines of the consoles 30/60fps options, for people who do not want to fiddle with settings.
Just have two different steam deck presets, but leave it up to us to still be able to tweak everything.
Or instead of 30/60, instead have it be fidelity/battery life.
Show threadkirkiscoolDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Stadia never had big exclusives and people ripped it to shreds. Stadia was awesome, you just weren't allowed to say it in public.
Show threadGmr LeonDec 27, 2022

@kirkiscool People didn't rip Stadia to shreds for a lack of exclusives, so much as the nonsense business model of paying full price (at least initially) for what were essentially rentals.

Plus internet infrastructure for many around the world, particularly outside of cities, is still woefully inadequate for playing streamed games. Big combo of factors went against Stadia, even before getting to Google being flaky af on new stuff.

Show threadkirkiscoolDec 27, 2022
@gmr_leon it was definitely one of the gripes I remember hearing. The business and marketing side of it was problematic but it worked like a charm on my 14mbps internet and I never had to wait for anything to load or download.
Show threaduzayranDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux you only need exclusives when you don't have other appealing features that differentiate yourself from the competition. Walled gardens are not a good thing.
Show thread0ddfactoryDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux
Show threadLudicDaveDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Here's my hottake of the day: People who like exclusives on any platform, are idiots.
You notice this a lot at game shows, where the audience is cheering for something to be exclusive on Playstation or Xbox. Why? "Yay, less people get to play this game!"..
Show threadEduardo Lisboa 👨🏾‍💻Dec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux I'd rather play "designed for" than "exclusive for". It would be a much better reason to invest in a Steamdeck, being it relatively expensive yet

EDIT: typo

Show threadErik EllsingerDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I want to live in a world with no exclusives.
Show threadsc42b00d 🌶Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux semi-patiently waiting for Bloodborne
Show threadLutruloDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Exclusives are bad for literally everyone except console manufacturers. But if we want to be technical about it, the Steam Deck has loads of exclusives, probably thousands. The most of any console! Tons of PC games never come to consoles, and the Deck can play them just fine. The Deck can play most of the console exclusives too!
Show threadJondy OwensDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux the actual worst idea I've ever heard.
Show threadlaxsillDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux yeah I was so relieved when the steam deck sales pitch wasn't an exclusive but rather a "this game's optimized for steam deck, but feel free to play it on your computer of choice". Brilliant.
Show threadAGTMADCAT 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼🇵🇸Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Man I don't know why you'd say no with "much respect", that's crazy magnanimous of you!
Show threadalethenorioDec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux while I agree, to be honest, I often thought it would have been amazing to see an exclusive triple A game for Linux (not necessarily for Steam Deck).

If nothing else, to push the industry to start taking Linux more serious and I suppose I wouldn't mind having a game everybody wants to play but only people on Linux can, at least for a short while 😁

Show threadCeremus Dec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux Rather than exclusives it may be worth going the route of Aperture Desk Job and make titles that show off the strength of the Deck's controls, without being necessarily exclusive to platform.

One of the reasons the Steam Controller failed despite having superior capability and function of control is that everyone tried approaching it like it was a Xbox controller, which it was bad at.

Show threadCeremus Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux This is where a game maker like Nintendo had an advantage, they made innovative control schemes and also had the leverage to make games which took full advantage of them. Even today, the default control scheme for Splatoon is gyro aim, and competitive players figured out quickly what a better experience it was compared to dual analog.
Show threadCeremus Dec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux
Valve did a hell of a lot of work on Steam Input, and the Deck might the opportunity to push things like gyro aim and touch input onto platforms like the Playstation who have motion control but barely ever take advantage of it, or Xbox whose controllers haven't developed in 2 decades, where every FPS on their platform relies on thumbstick + auto-aim.
Show threadbuckysrevengeDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux lol, this is hilarious and will hopefully help them reevaluate everyone else's stance on the issue
Show threadCAI-TAn (ケィたん)Dec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux @rogueren
"Open source software is missing an important element - closed source"
"Mega Man X is missing an important element - a distinct lack of vertical traversal options"
"Titanfall 2 is missing an important element - ground-based cover shooter gameplay"
"My coffee is missing an important element - tasting like shit and requiring sweeteners / creamer"

let me tell you what important element the steam deck is missing: not being in my hands right now ;w;

Show threadDarkestDotDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux that's where Linux exclusive games will come in. What are some of your favorite Linux exclusive games?
Show threadInfosecsieDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I agree. I don’t think exclusives are necessary. They’re often something that compels people to buy a console, however, that’s just a marketing tactic. It’s better when someone doesn’t have to choose based on content available.
Show threadNick WanningerDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux @fasterthanlime I don't think anyone even likes exclusives. Having to own every console just cause you want to play god of war and halo sucks for everyone
Show threadJPDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux exclusives become such weird tiresome battlegrounds for fan tribalism. it's no longer even about the merits of a particular game past a certain point. if i had a nickel for every petty, childish argument i've witnessed between console partisans about exclusives i'd be a very rich man. sigh
Show threadeevee 🦊Dec 27, 2022

@gamingonlinux there are so, so many steam games with only windows releases. are those not exclusives?

if they want to play linux-only games... no problem, linux is free? they can dual-boot into their linux gaming partition

Show threaduwu1baDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I read the article, and it has a point.

It's not about the exclusives, like on the typical game console, but about a game made specifically to use everything that Deck have. Like Aperture Desk Job but in the scale of a game that PS5 have to show off its controllers.

Or porting real exclusives from PSP or Vita that would just fit the nature of Deck.
Show threaduwu1baDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux I'm still against exclusives, by the way. I love emulators from a technical standpoint, but dislike setting them up and actually playing with them. Also, EmuDeck supposed to make emulating easier, but in reality it fucking sucks. :)

There is nothing technically impossible in having PC ports, it's just Sony/Nintendo have a lot of money to buy the exclusivity from game developers.
Show threadOwl!🦉Dec 28, 2022
@a1ba @gamingonlinux
I don't think that in terms of attractiveness to the buyer, it's generally worth doing something exclusive if you have an unique piece of hardware that is Interesting in itself.
I assume that most of switch buyers purchased it because of portable gaems, not for exclusives or anything else.
Show threaduwu1baDec 28, 2022
@lonelyowl @gamingonlinux it doesn't matter because exclusives as vendor lock mechanism for these platforms still exist.
Show threaddavidDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Even Aperture Desk Job runs on Windows.
Show threadHarryDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Without knowing the context myself, they may be on to something: anti-consumer as they are, exclusives are what make customers come to the product whether they like it or not. Deck doesn't have any of those hooks like a Switch might, but it might not matter as it's not ready for the casual gaming market anyway. It does however have novelty appeal in that place (look it can run God of War, Cyberpunk, etc portably!) which I think encourages adoption with core gamers just the same.
Show threadHarryDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux And its kind of funny anyway since the Deck basically the strongest argument against exclusives. This thing is giving me the chance to play Spider-Man and it's a handheld so holy fuck
Show threadRobin BairnDec 27, 2022
@gamingonlinux Steam Deck's openness is a major selling point.
Show threadjordanDec 28, 2022

@gamingonlinux

Me with zero respect and a healthy amount of derision: NO.