Helldivers 2’s CEO talks potential Steam Deck support — but what about the Xbox Ally?

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Following its release on Xbox, Helldivers 2 has sparked a lot of conversation among gamers. The CEO, Shams Jorjani, has addressed numerous queries about the game on the official Discord platform, ranging from split-screen compatibility to issues with the game’s servers and reporting on bugs (not the kind you might find in a Terminid). In fact, there have even been instances of Xbox and PlayStation users exchanging profile banners, demonstrating the game’s wide appeal.

Currently, Jorjani has weighed in on the potential of Helldivers 2 functioning smoothly on the Steam Deck. His statement sparks a significant query: Could full portable compatibility truly be attainable, or is it still a stretch for Arrowhead to achieve this goal?

Helldivers 2’s CEO addresses Steam Deck Support

Previously, we’ve discussed Jorjani’s and other developers’ feedback regarding Helldivers 2 on our official Discord server. Recently, someone inquired about the game receiving official Steam Deck support, to which Jorjani responded with an explanation.

Our main focus is ensuring the game functions optimally within our targeted system requirements. Achieving this would also enhance performance on the Steam Deck. Once we’ve made significant progress, we may decide to offer formal support for the Steam Deck.

In simpler terms, Helldivers 2 currently offers a “Steam Deck” preset configuration, but this doesn’t equate to full official support at the moment. The developers, Arrowhead, have hinted that Steam Deck compatibility isn’t a pressing concern in the near future, but they are keeping an eye on it as the game continues to develop.

As a dedicated analyst, my focus is predominantly on ensuring optimal game performance within our targeted system specifications. Achieving this milestone would undoubtedly enhance the Steam Deck’s functionality. Subsequently, with improved performance and user experience, formal support for the platform could be considered as the next logical step in our development strategy.

Arrowhead CEO – Shams Jorjani

It’s important to note that the Steam Deck was initially released over three years ago, which might impact its ability to offer full support due to hardware constraints. Currently, Arrowhead seems to be prioritizing fixing bugs and ensuring stability rather than implementing new features. The latest update, “Into the Unjust,” previously caused crashing problems (now presumably resolved) that had been a source of irritation for gamers.

What would Steam Deck performance mean for Helldivers 2?

On the Steam Deck, Helldivers 2 can theoretically be played, but it doesn’t perform as well as other games on the device. Players frequently need to refer to community resources and adjustments for better frame rates and stability.

Officially enhancing the support might bring about that change. Not only would a better tuning help the game operate more efficiently on the Steam Deck, but it could also boost performance across various other platforms. Previous experiences have shown us this-when Larian optimized Baldur’s Gate 3 to run on Xbox Series S, these enhancements were beneficial for the broader game as well.

Another aspect that’s intriguing is the convenience factor. The thought of promoting democracy in a portable manner captivates numerous participants, including myself. And with Helldivers 2 now available on Xbox, the prospect of wider compatibility for handheld devices seems more plausible, although hardware constraints still exist.

This raises an intriguing point: if the Steam Deck continues to evolve, what potential implications might this have for the ROG Xbox Ally?

Steam Deck may improve, but Xbox Ally faces bigger challenges

Jorjani’s remark focused on the Steam Deck, yet its influence might extend to how Arrowhead handles other portable PC gaming systems. Unlike the Steam Deck, the Xbox Ally operates on Windows and has slightly superior hardware. The upcoming Xbox Ally X is equipped with AMD’s Z2 Extreme chipset, providing it a minor but significant edge over Valve’s device.

We’re currently experiencing a surge of portable devices, as demonstrated by offerings from Lenovo, AYANEO, and MSI. It seems the demand for taking gaming libraries on-the-go is high, and Helldivers 2 could potentially capitalize on this trend. However, there are significant challenges that need to be addressed first.

A significant issue is the lack of cross-progression between Steam and Xbox accounts. At present, it’s impossible to link these accounts, and the game doesn’t support Xbox Play Anywhere. In addition, Helldivers 2 isn’t available on the Xbox Store for Windows. This means that players using handheld devices are compelled to commit to one ecosystem, making any potential cross-platform support for the Ally feel incomplete.

The community manager from Arrowhead Games has emphasized again that they currently have no intentions of implementing features for cross-progression or cross-saving. This implies that if Xbox Series owners purchase the Steam version, their progress will not transfer over, which can be a significant drawback as it hinders the portability experience in handheld gaming.

Helldivers 2’s handheld future remains uncertain — but I’m hopeful

Although the possibility of Steam Deck compatibility might be considered by Arrowhead, it’s not particularly exciting news for Xbox enthusiasts since there’s no equivalent to features like Xbox Play Anywhere or interoperability between Steam and Xbox progression. It’s rather frustrating, especially considering that numerous other games are implementing these functionalities.

As an outsider looking in, it seems that technical hurdles could potentially dictate Arrowhead’s priorities. It might appear that they would find it more beneficial to invest their time in addressing stability issues and implementing features that the community is actively advocating for. However, it’s also worth noting that cross-progression is a request that resonates strongly within the community.

At present, we’re propagating democracy traditionally – by battling hordes of Terminids in the latest upgrade, and eagerly anticipating future developments from a game that seems endless in its generosity.

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2025-09-04 22:41