Valve is seemingly using the extra time to get things ready for when the Steam Deck is finally release early next year. With the Steam Deck being delayed by a couple of months, most likely due to the ongoing tech shortages, many are probably a little disappointed that they aren't going to be able to get one in time for the holidays, which was the original launch window. However, the company is saying that, in preparation for the device, it's looking at updating some notable titles ready for it. Specifically, it's updating its own range of games.
According to a recent report, based on an interview with Valve, some of the company's own IPs will be having some work done to them to make them a "better experience" for the upcoming Steam Deck. The games in question are, the Half-Life series, Counterstrike: Global Offensive, often simply called CS:GO, and Dota 2. Each series will be seemingly having a different type of update, or something different being done to them. For example, the team behind Dota are engaged in "something pretty innovative" such as a new mode that will allow players to use thumbsticks.
CS:GO will be having its controls tightened up, especially for those who have been using the now discontinued Steam Controller. It seems the main focus on this update has to do with the controller's "gyro aiming" with there being controller support for the Steam Deck. One of the things being given some attention, according to Valve designer Christen Coomer, is touching up the radial menu.
Naturally, Half-Life, probably the company's most successful and beloved franchise, will be getting some tweaks in time for the hand-held PC, which are most likely going to involve navigating the game's menus. The report doesn't suggest that the games themselves will be getting any sort of graphical update or something along those lines, just that there are some neglected aspects of the experience which will be given an update. Seeing as there's less chance of Half-Life 3 ever seeing the light of day, a tweaked version of the previous two games is at least something.
As for other Valve games. While the Portal games are already fully compatible with the Steam Deck, there's a chance that 2009's Left 4 Dead 2 will be getting an update as well. There doesn't seem to be any mention of the first L4D game, but maybe that's because Left 4 Dead 2 is seemingly winning out over the likes of Back 4 Blood.
The Steam Deck is set to launch in February 2022.
Source: PC Gamer
