Steam Deck engineers promise improved display and battery life

I think we'll opt to keep the one performance level for a little bit longer, and only look at changing the performance level when there is a significant gain to be had. The Steam Deck offers you a high quality gaming experience everywhere you go

The pair of designers also added that a Steam Controller 2 was also in their plans, but that they were focusing on Steam Deck right now. This makes complete sense, considering that the Steam Deck is their newest hardware project. The console has proven itself adequate for running demanding titles like the Remastered version of Marvel's Spiderman.

Despite its compact design and limited battery capabilities, it can also handle emulating Xbox 360 games and we're promised support for next-gen console exclusives like Returnal.

With the console already supporting more than half of Steam's top 100 games, users should be ecstatic to hear that Valve is also working on anti-cheat support compatibility for titles like Fall Guys and Halo MCC. And while Valve is unlikely to juice up the graphical prowess of this Steam Deck generation, improvements shouldn't be ruled out if the benefits warrant it.

In the meantime, Valve has spent most of 2022 focusing on completing the accumulated Steam Deck pre-orders. So much so that as of October 2022, you can purchase one without having to make a reservation. The waiting lines might be cut, but the price still holds for the next-gen console. The 64GB model is still commanding the equivalent of $500 after taxes in most markets, with the 256 GB version going for $700 and the 512 GB model sells for of $850.

This might sound like a huge investment, but it's the price gamers have to pay for carrying a fully functional PC gaming setup in their back pocket.

Fingers crossed, a more powerful Steam Deck will be out not long after Nintendo releases its Switch successor.