Baldur’s Gate 3 has recently received a significant update aimed at enhancing its performance on the Steam Deck. This initiative, spearheaded by a single engineer as a personal endeavor, seeks to address long-standing questions regarding the game’s verified status on the platform.
Performance Enhancements
While the Steam Deck remains a leading choice among gaming handhelds, it has faced challenges with larger, triple-A titles like Baldur’s Gate 3. Many users have reported issues primarily during Act 2 of the game, leading to misconceptions about its verified rating suggesting flawless performance throughout.
The newly released Hotfix 34 introduces a native version of Baldur’s Gate 3 for the Steam Deck, promising notable improvements over the previously utilized Proton version. According to Larian, the enhancements include:
- Reduced loading times
- Smoother gameplay experience
- Increased frame rate stability
Upon downloading the update, players who previously accessed the game via Proton will not automatically boot into the new native version. To facilitate a smooth transition, Larian has made available a detailed guide both within the update and on their website, covering the update process, troubleshooting common issues, and locating saved game files.
Despite being two years since its initial launch, Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to rank among the top 10 most played games on Steam over the past week, month, and year. This latest native mode is expected to attract even more players, reinforcing the game’s enduring popularity and showcasing Larian’s commitment to supporting the Steam Deck with valuable updates.
The origin of this update is quite intriguing. Larian CEO Swen Vincke shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the project was initiated by an engineer seeking a smoother gameplay experience on the Deck during personal time. After fellow developers had the opportunity to test it, they were persuaded to advance the project for an official release.
Baldur’s Gate 3 already holds a prominent place on our list of the best Steam Deck games, and this update promises to enhance its appeal further. For those interested in upgrading their handheld experience, our guide to the best Steam Deck accessories may provide some useful insights.
Are you considering trying out this new version of Baldur’s Gate 3? We invite you to share your thoughts with us on our community Discord server.