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November 2024 Steam Deck Client Update: New Game Recording Feature and Key Fixes

    Valve rolled out a major Steam Deck Client update on November 5th, 2024, packed with new features and fixes that will make handheld gaming on the Deck even smoother and more customizable. Here’s a rundown of the highlights:

New Steam Game Recording Feature

    One of the most exciting parts of this update is the introduction of Steam Game Recording, now available to all Steam Deck users. With this built-in recording tool, players can capture gameplay effortlessly. Steam Game Recording runs seamlessly in the background, so you never have to worry about missing a crucial moment. Users can quickly find, clip, and share their best highlights or even entire playthroughs. Valve has also launched a Game Recording website for those looking to learn more about this new feature.

Deck-Specific Changes and Bug Fixes

• External Drives: Games stored on external drives will no longer display as available if the drive is removed, ensuring cleaner game libraries.

• Login Improvement: The login process is now quicker with an update allowing users to hit “enter” to submit their password without extra navigation.

• Compatibility Enhancements: Compatibility has been improved for native titles that haven't yet been reviewed, making gameplay smoother by running these titles in the same environment as verified games.

• Bluetooth Fixes: A bug that caused the Bluetooth settings tab to disappear after sleep mode has been resolved, so users can expect more reliable Bluetooth settings.

General Enhancements

This update also applies to the Steam Client across platforms, though it won’t be available for outdated systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8, and older versions of macOS. Highlights include:

• Improved Streaming and Peer Detection: Enhanced streaming and peer downloading functions when using secondary wireless interfaces.

• Smoother Offline Mode: Valve addressed a bug that prevented Offline Mode login on the first restart after an update, improving reliability.

• File Handling Fixes: File move and update operations are smoother, and drag-and-drop text no longer instantly sends messages, instead allowing you to place it in the edit area.

Remote Play and Overlay Updates

• Remote Play Enhancements: AV1 video streaming is now available on high-end systems, while smaller bugs, like an oversized cursor, have been corrected.

• Overlay Stability: Fixed crashes in certain games using D3D9, improving stability across different titles.

Steam Input and Controller Adjustments

• Better Controller Compatibility: Valve added support for wired Xbox controllers on macOS Sequoia and increased joystick sensitivity.

• New Input Options: Players can now invert X and Y axes and select scroll wheel modes in Steam Input settings.

• Streamlined Configurations: Mode Shifts now support D-Pad directions, joystick, and touchpad modes across multiple controllers.

Linux-Specific Improvements

For Linux users, Valve has made several valuable updates:

• Improved Startup Speed: Reverse hostname lookup is now faster, speeding up the Steam Client’s startup on Linux systems.

• Enhanced Compatibility: Native titles on Linux now use a modern runtime environment by default, aligning compatibility across Steam Deck and Linux desktop distributions.

• Steam Play Always Enabled: Valve has removed the toggle to disable Steam Play on Linux since the feature is essential for the client’s operation.

Big Picture Mode and Discovery Queue Fixes

    In Big Picture Mode, the update fixed several issues, like the on-screen keyboard not appearing correctly and dialogs losing focus. The Discovery Queue also got a smoother animation overhaul, improving the browsing experience.

Final Thoughts

    The November 2024 Steam Deck Client update brings robust features, quality-of-life improvements, and critical fixes. The new Steam Game Recording is a standout addition for content creators and gamers alike. With these updates, Valve is continuously refining the Steam Deck experience, and this release is a clear sign of their commitment to bringing PC gaming portability to the next level.