Summary
- The Steam Deck can handle demanding open-world games like Elden Ring and Days Gone, though some sacrifices may be required.
- GTA V is not optimized for the Deck and this could result in Rockstar missing out on potential financial gains.
- Having GTA 6 optimized for the Deck could lead to record-breaking sales for Rockstar due to the device's large install base.
The Steam Deck is a nifty device from Valve that allows players to game on the go. Though the machine is compact, it's quite powerful, and it has been able to handle many modern games. Gamers can check a game's playability by looking for the "Verified" seal of approval.
Grand Theft Auto 5 is currently unsupported, and many players complain that it is troublesome on the Steam Deck. This is an unfortunate situation, as being able to play GTA 5 on a portable device could equal a stream of sales for Rockstar. If the studio wants to kill two birds with one stone, however, it should ensure this mistake isn't repeated with GTA 6.
Steam Deck: How To Install Decky Loader
Decky Loader can unlock the potential of the Steam Deck. Here's how to install it.
The Steam Deck is Home to Many Great Open-World Games
The Deck is proof that dynamite comes in small packages. The tiny device has time and time again shown its ability to handle some demanding games, including those in the open-world genre. Elden Ring is a great game to play on the device for players looking for some tough action, while Days Gone is a delight for fans of the zombie subgenre.
When playing open-world games on the Deck, sometimes sacrifices have to be made. For example, the graphical settings may have to be turned down, or gamers may have to resort to playing at 30fps. However, in many cases, the sacrifice can be worth it, and most games manage to retain their beauty on the Deck's screen.
GTA 5 has the potential to be a great Verified Steam Deck game, but Rockstar hasn't optimized the game enough for the handheld. One of the biggest problems complained about on ProtonDB is the fact that GTA Online is inaccessible on the Deck due to the anti-cheat software being used. With a little tweaking, this could be changed, and the game could finally earn the "Verified" status, something that has the potential to be a financial boon for Rockstar.
It May Be a Little Too Late for GTA 5
If Rockstar wanted a Verified version of GTA 5 on the Deck, it should have acted fast. Currently, fans are looking ahead and eagerly awaiting GTA 6. Consequently, gamers may not pay much attention if the 2013 game suddenly gets Verified. To avoid this problem, GTA 6 should be Verified on day one.
Gamers May Have to Wait a While to Play GTA 6 on the Steam Deck
GTA 6 is slated for a 2025 release date, though it's only been announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. This isn't too much of a surprise, as Rockstar has a habit of releasing games on consoles first before focusing on the PC ports. This was the case with GTA 5, and gamers waited roughly two years before the PC version was rolled out. This means that gamers probably won't be playing GTA 6 on the Steam Deck when it initially launches, regardless of whether it's Verified or not.
Rockstar has always had high sales numbers to show, and the studio will most likely be looking to make another record-breaking game with GTA 6. Having the game Verified on the Steam Deck could help the game rack up sales, as the device has a large install base. The Steam Deck and GTA 6 could be a match made in heaven if Rockstar goes through the trouble of optimizing the game for the device.
The Deck has been around for a few years, but it still manages to thrive in the modern gaming landscape. Having GTA 6 Verified on the Deck would be proof that the handheld still has plenty of life left in it, and there's no need for a Steam Deck 2 just yet.
Grand Theft Auto 5
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- September 17, 2013
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar North
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
WHERE TO PLAY
When a young street hustler, a retired bank robber and a terrifying psychopath find themselves entangled with some of the most frightening and deranged elements of the criminal underworld, the U.S. Government and the entertainment industry, they must pull off a series of dangerous heists to survive in a ruthless city in which they can trust nobody, least of all each other.
Grand Theft Auto V for PC offers players the option to explore the award-winning world of Los Santos and Blaine County in resolutions of up to 4k and beyond, as well as the chance to experience the game running at 60 frames per second.
The game offers players a huge range of PC-specific customization options, including over 25 separate configurable settings for texture quality, shaders, tessellation, anti-aliasing and more, as well as support and extensive customization for mouse and keyboard controls. Additional options include a population density slider to control car and pedestrian traffic, as well as dual and triple monitor support, 3D compatibility, and plug-and-play controller support.
- Engine
- Rockstar Advanced Game Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- no
- Cross Save
- yes
- Franchise
- Grand Theft Auto
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action
- How Long To Beat
- 32 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- File Size Xbox Series
- 84 GB (July 2023)
