We waited 14 years to get Red Dead Redemption on PC, and we’ll have to wait even longer to find out how well it plays on Steam Deck

We waited 14 years to get Red Dead Redemption on PC, and we'll have to wait even longer to find out how well it plays on Steam Deck

What you need to know

  • Red Dead Redemption is now available on PC and can be purchased through Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Rockstar.
  • Despite making the game available through Steam, Rockstar did not test Red Dead Redemption on Steam Deck.
  • The game should work on Steam Deck thanks to the handheld console’s use of Proton, but surprisingly, Rockstar did not test the game for such a popular device.
  • Red Dead Redemption launched 14 years ago on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
  • The game was ported to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2023 and is playable on Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility.

As a seasoned PC gamer who has been through the ups and downs of waiting for game releases, I must say that the wait for Red Dead Redemption on PC felt like an eternity. The anticipation was palpable, and when it finally dropped, it was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, we got to play this classic masterpiece; on the other, Rockstar’s decision not to test Red Dead Redemption on Steam Deck left many of us scratching our heads.


After a long 14-year wait that felt like an eternity even for Sirius Black in Azkaban, Red Dead Redemption is now available to play on PC today. Interestingly, while Rockstar Games has the financial means, they haven’t tested the game’s compatibility with the Steam Deck, which is a bit unusual. The release of Red Dead Redemption for PC is exciting news, but this lack of testing for the Steam Deck is somewhat peculiar.

The Red Dead Redemption version offers numerous PC enhancements for an optimal gaming experience. These include compatibility with 144Hz refresh rates, ultrawide screens, customizable shadows and draw distance, AMD FSR, and NVIDIA’s DLSS 3.7 technology, which improves frame generation. The game can be purchased through Steam, the Epic Games Store, or Rockstar Store, and it comes with the Undead Nightmare expansion pack.

If you navigate to Red Dead Redemption’s page on Steam, you’ll notice a question mark and “Undetermined” in regards to compatibility with the Steam Deck. “Undetermined” does not imply the game is unsupported; rather, it signifies that Valve lacks specific information about the title. Regrettably, Rockstar has yet to assist Valve by testing Red Dead Redemption on the Steam Deck. As a result, we’ll have to rely on the community to assess compatibility. Although there are likely numerous players eager to share their opinions, it’s unfortunate that this information wasn’t addressed prior to the game’s release on Steam.

PC gaming on Steam Deck

We waited 14 years to get Red Dead Redemption on PC, and we'll have to wait even longer to find out how well it plays on Steam Deck

The Steam Deck by Valve operates on a Linux-based system instead of Windows, yet it’s capable of running numerous PC games. A crucial component behind the Steam Deck’s success is a compatibility layer known as Proton. Contrary to common belief, Proton isn’t an emulator; rather, it converts APIs like DirectX to make them compatible with SteamOS. Essentially, the game compatibility on the Steam Deck is achieved through translation, not emulation – this is due to its roots in WINE (Wine Is Not an Emulator).

Most people prioritize whether games function smoothly rather than the specific techniques employed to make them run; fortunately, this is exactly what Proton and the Steam Deck-compatible game lists offer. They showcase numerous top PC games such as Diablo IV, Elden Ring, and Baldur’s Gate 3.

What’s up Rockstar?

It’s quite likely that Rockstar Games is occupied right now, given the long wait fans have endured to experience Red Dead Redemption on PC. I understand that the Steam Deck, which operates under Linux, is one of the top-tier portable gaming devices, and it’s popular among gamers for playing PC games. It would have been great if there was official support for the Steam Deck when Red Dead Redemption was released.

While it’s likely that Red Dead Redemption will function smoothly on the Steam Deck, users should avoid unnecessary risks, particularly with a renowned game title like this one.

To avoid potential compatibility problems when playing PC games on Steam Deck, explore top-tier early Black Friday discounts on portable gaming devices. Gadgets such as the Lenovo Legion Go operate on Windows, offering greater versatility.

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2024-10-29 23:41