Baldur's Gate 3 Steam Deck – Native Version

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Scope of the Steam Deck Native Build & Linux Support

  • The “native” version is a Linux/SteamOS build specifically targeting Steam Deck hardware; Larian explicitly says it’s only supported on Deck.
  • Commenters expect it to run on other Linux systems via Steam’s runtimes and report success on various distros, but agree Larian understandably won’t debug arbitrary setups.
  • Several people emphasize that “not supported” ≠ “won’t work”; it just means no help unless you can reproduce issues on a stock Deck.

Proton vs Native Linux Builds

  • Many note BG3 already ran “perfectly” via Proton on desktop Linux; the main weakness was Steam Deck performance.
  • Benchmarks shared in the thread show the native Deck build gives roughly ~10% better FPS in Act 3 vs Proton, with similar performance earlier, implying Proton’s overhead is small.
  • Multiple examples from other games: sometimes Proton/Windows builds outperform poor native ports; sometimes native is better.
  • Several argue studios should just target Proton (stable Win32 ABI, existing toolchains) unless they’re fully committed to long‑term Linux support.

Performance, Act 3, and Low‑Power Hardware

  • Experiences on Deck vary: some played entire campaigns at ~30 FPS and found it acceptable; others say late‑game city areas once “chugged” on both Deck and decent PCs.
  • Others report later patches significantly improved Act 3 on PC and Deck.
  • There’s appreciation that Deck pressure is pushing devs toward robust “Steam Deck”/“low” presets that benefit all low‑power handhelds.

Linux Fragmentation, Steam Runtime, and Containers

  • One line of discussion blames Linux’s fragmented userland (glibc, Mesa, kernels, X/Wayland) for making native support costly.
  • Others counter that Valve’s Steam Linux Runtime and containerized “Sniper/Scout” environments now give devs a stable target, though drivers/compositors can still differ.
  • Some lament that shipping games in containers feels over‑engineered compared to Windows’ longstanding compatibility shims, while others note Proton itself is effectively a structured compatibility/container stack.

Input, UX, and Hardware

  • Opinions split on Deck vs KB+M for BG3: some consider Deck a “system seller” and like the controller UI; others find radial menus chaotic or say this is a game that shines with mouse.
  • A side thread debates Deck ergonomics (heavy, wrist strain) and alternatives like other handhelds, streaming from a desktop, AR glasses, or simply using a gaming laptop.

Larian’s Reputation and Culture

  • Larian receives widespread praise for continuing heavy post‑launch support, Mac and Deck ports, and deep bug‑fixing without paid DLC.
  • A popular anecdote: the Deck native port reportedly started as an after‑hours passion project by a single engineer that the studio then adopted and polished, seen as evidence of strong internal culture.

Broader Gaming & Hardware Debates

  • Some argue Steam Deck shows “any” game can run on modest hardware if low settings are engineered properly; others say modern engines (especially UE5) are intrinsically heavy and often poorly optimized.
  • There is recurring tension between players with older/low‑end hardware expecting scalability and others who feel 10–15‑year‑old or iGPU‑only systems are now below reasonable “minimum spec.”
  • Several commenters express hope that Deck, Proton, and SteamOS momentum will steadily erode Windows’ dominance in PC gaming.