Steam Deck's versatility makes it a model for success

Although it seems absurd now, gaming machines were static for a very long time until the introduction of the first handheld devices.

17:27 03 November 2022

Although it seems absurd now, gaming machines were static for a very long time until the introduction of the first handheld devices. The first portable gaming console and the first to use interchangeable game cartridges were both introduced in 1979 with the LCD-based Microvision, which was created by Smith Engineering and sold by Milton-Bradley.

Nintendo started releasing a line of electronic games called Game & Watch in 1980 - the tentative beginnings of the Nintendo Game Boy - but handheld and static gaming have always been different animals.

Different beasts

Despite this clear distinction, rivals like the Atari Lynx and PlayStation Portable have made claims to the throne. Now, this ostensible truism is being questioned by the Steam Deck from Valve. Currently, the Steam Deck brings up the possibility for greater handheld video game involvement than ever before.

Simple internalisation is one of the reasons why mobile gaming has been distinguished from static gaming. Due to the hardware being more constrained, Game Boy games were straightforward, and subsequent systems would continue this trend. As time went on, we unwittingly came to accept this discrepancy, which was helped along by the first mobile games adopting a similar simplicity.

Even though smartphone gaming has become increasingly popular, we still frequently don't think of mobile devices as being on the same level as grounded consoles because of their limited controls and simplistic design. Casino software providers rapidly disproved this notion when they started offering us cutting-edge slots and live games. Online casino games played just as well as they would on more capable platforms, and as a result, they were a huge success.

New machines 

The Steam Deck represents a substantial expansion into entirely uncharted territory, even while we can't anticipate these video games to perform at their highest possible quality.

That's not to say we should underestimate its potential. There are other sectors where gaming on the go was once a pipe dream but has arguably now overtaken its fixed counterpart. Online casinos have never been so popular and the array of games supplied by many providers is the same regardless of the system they are played from. And what an array there is: look at a guide to find the most suitable site for you and you'll see the extensive casino options available to play on any device. Audiences have reacted favourably to this potential because all these games can be played without sacrificing quality on laptops, desktops, tablets, smartphones, and even smart TVs.

And now, a previously unheard-of level of possibilities for mobile video game experiences is offered by Valve's portable technology and the games catalogue is already impressive. The Steam Deck exceeds even the Nintendo Switch by a wide margin because of its 16 gigabytes of RAM and strong CPU and GPU capabilities.

It is yet unclear what great success may portend for the future of the larger gaming industry. It might lead to more games with handheld settings for improved performance or games specifically designed for both stationary and mobile play. What's key is that it may turn out to be very satisfactory.