After much adieu, and much more anticipation frustration, the Steam Deck finally shipped. And now it is in the hands of gamers. Of course, the Steam Deck was delayed due to processing chip production issues. Supply chain issues suck. We know this.
So it wasn’t as if Valve, Steam’s parent company, created the dramas. Many tech products, including home Generators, also suffered similar consequences.
But the Steam Deck launch has arrived, and it is going incredibly well.
Valve officially says that it will produce Steam Decks “in the hundreds.” That spells a successful launch, no doubt.
Steam Deck is a ground breaking, extremely functional portable gaming device. It is expected to ramp up the entire portable gaming sector with its innovation and usability.
But alas, Steam Deck is here. But now, the gamer community already wants enhancements and add ons. This means no one is happy, or everyone is too happy. One can never tell.
So let’s look at some of the 40+ Steam Deck enhancement requests.
Friend’s List Icons
In essence, one gamer suggested that an icon be created that shows your Steam friends when you are using the device. I would guess that Valve has high concerns over privacy issues, which might relate to why an active friend’s list icon isn’t currently working. But I’m guessing and I’m not the smartest of the bunch.
Split Trackpad Typing
The Steam Controller allows gamers to leverage trackpads and triggers for typing purposes. This isn’t happening on Steam Deck. Split Trackpad Typing on Steam Deck is one of the most popular gamer desires atop the wishlist.
It is possible that this is merely a configuration issue in the waiting. Or, Valve just shelved it in Steam Deck’s case. We shall see.
TiMidity++
If you don’t know what TiMidity++ is, it is likely because you don’t play retrogames. If you do, this component allows for MIDI playback essential to much older games. We are talking decades old games, to be clear.
Valve probably isn’t focused on appeasing what’s likely a smaller niche, but one never knows. Retro always seems to be making a comeback.
SteamOS Screenlock
Steam Deck doesn’t appear to allow for locking down the device. That’s odd, of course, and it has triggered a lot of users thus far. Gamers desire an ability to lock down users, whether that’s through a default process, or manually via a menu option.
To be clear, you can do this on the desktop mode by way of password protection. So we assume such an enhancement could be met relatively soon.
Manual Keyboard Layout Changes
As it stands, Steam Deck only supports a QWERTY layout. While you can change the keyboard theme or turn on/off haptics, you can’t change layout. There are also no foreign language layouts. At least, so far.
Steam Deck is setting out to rule the portable gaming device market. Its off to a great start, but they won’t please everyone. However, we anticipate a lot of enhancements in the future, so maybe some of these folks will get what’s on their wishlists.