do you all like to play the GOG version of games over the Steam version?
With the use of Heroic game launcher, I’m wondering if you all preferred to play your GOG version of games over the Steam version. I can go either way but sometimes I pause and think, having two copies of the same game, one on steam and one on GOG, which one would give me a better gaming experience. For example, I may choose the GOG version because I don’t have to deal with pre-shader work being downloaded every so often. I can just into my games. Yet, Steam achievements and seeing the game’s metadata is always life: seeing the game info, store page, community stuff about the game, and more all there. So what do you chose? GOG game or the Steam game.
I used to be a huge fan of GOG with the whole DRM free thing. But their poor Linux support just drove me to Steam. They promised a Linux version of their launcher for years. The request has 14,000 up votes. But they still won't create a Linux version. I honestly don't particularly care about the launcher, it's just the fact that Linux is not a priority for them.
Combining that with the lack of GeForce Now support I've basically gone to only using them for older classic games.
And Proton wouldn't be an option if it were not for Valve. There was Wine but it was not nearly as easy to setup nor as compatible with games before Valve made Proton. I'll give Valve my money for better supporting Linux.
I guess I should also note that I've been using Linux as my primary OS for over 15 years, so good Linux support has been my priority for a while.
I understand. We're kindred spirits. I'm at 15 years earlier this year too. It would have been since 2001, but all I owned was a Dell laptop back then, and with only dialup internet it wasn't possible to get it functional enough as my primary OS. No wifi back then either.
Linux is such a thing of beauty, especially now. I bought a Linux native game on Steam the day they went live with Linux support just to show my appreciation because I didn't use my PC for gaming then. I also just got a LE OLED Steam Deck to replace my original, again because it's such a thing of beauty now and I want to support Valve's investment in Linux and efforts to pry open Microsoft's iron grip on PC gaming.
It's great! There are so many little tweaks that didn't get highlighted by reviews such as the carrying strap on the case is slightly longer, meaning I can get my large hand into it more comfortably. The small weight reduction is welcome, the joysticks are improved with the deeper indent and rubberized texture. The screen is of course really good looking and seems brighter than I anticipated.
I own a 64 GB version that I upgraded to a 512 GB drive, so the etched screen is a nice difference, but you'd already have that. It does have the 1 TB drive, but I don't think it's a faster drive. The RAM speed increase can be felt. The system is a bit snappier on menus and when switching back and forth from game to desktop mode.
Whether or not it's worth it is highly subjective. I engaged in a little bit of a retail therapy splurge since I've had a pretty rough year and I love my Deck a lot. I own a launch day Nintendo Switch, but I felt no motivation to get an OLED Switch in contrast. I think there are more meaningful upgrades to the OLED Deck compared to the OLED Switch.
I'll be selling my original Deck to offset the expense of the Limited Edition, but even with that, it's a good chuck of change for what's essentially the same system. I'm happy with it, but you might feel different.