Hey everyone, A few weeks ago, I finally got my hands on a Steam Deck. From the start, I knew I wanted to use it as a dev kit for Spaceman Memories, but its also been a blast to play on. Theres something special about testing a game youve been pouring your heart into on such a unique deviceand yes, sneaking in some gaming sessions in between tests has definitely happened.

Testing the Game

Right now, Spaceman Memories runs on the Steam Deck as a Windows build using DirectX 11. Thanks to Proton, it works really well, but Im always on the lookout for ways to improve the experience. Running the game on the Deck has given me a better perspective on things like performance, controls, and UIelements that feel different when youre playing on a handheld.

Aiming for Native Linux

While the Windows build works fine, I want to go further. My goal is to release Spaceman Memories as a native Linux build to make the most of the Decks SteamOS. This means switching to Vulkan, which takes a bit more work, but itll ensure the game feels like it was made for this platform. Plus, theres something satisfying about knowing the game runs directly on the system without needing a compatibility layer.

The Fun of Development on Deck

Using the Steam Deck as a dev kit has been an interesting balance. On one hand, its super convenientI can test Spaceman Memories directly on the device itll be played on. On the other hand, its hard not to get distracted by other games (lets just say its a great device for research). But even while gaming for fun, Im always paying attention to how other games handle performance and design for handheld play.

Whats Next?

Im currently fine-tuning the Windows build to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible on the Deck while working on the transition to a native Linux build. My goal is to make Spaceman Memories not just compatible, but a perfect fit for the Steam Deck. In the upcoming months I will be uploading recorded videos of my Steam Deck running Spaceman Memories so watch out for my social media posts. If youre a Steam Deck owneror just curiousId love to hear your thoughts! What do you look for in a handheld experience? Any features you think would make Spaceman Memories shine on the Deck? Thanks for following along, Tulio AKA NerdyPunkDev

[ 2024-11-23 07:29:40 CET ] [ Original post ]