With the Avalanche Software action-RPG Hogwarts Legacy set to release soon, details continue to emerge such as the official verification for Steam Deck. Hogwarts Legacy was first announced during a PlayStation event in 2020, and since then it has delayed the older-gen versions of the game to focus console development on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.Developers at Avalanche Software have confirmed that among the myriad of platforms Hogwarts Legacy will be on, it has also been verified for the Steam Deck. While Hogwarts Legacy will be coming to Steam Deck and other consoles this month, it has been delayed for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, with the prior having the latest launch. Despite the delay, Hogwarts Legacy has hit some impressive pre-order statistics which may bode well for the prolonged ports to last-gen consoles and the players that are waiting to upgrade their platforms. Avalanche Software Community Manager Chandler Wood has confirmed on Twitter that Hogwarts Legacy is verified on Steam Deck just in time for the February 10 launch. The announcement included a screenshot that shows based on Valve's testing that it works with default control configurations and the release graphical configurations work well on the Steam Deck as well. The in-game interface text isn't too small on the Steam Deck according to this testing, while Hogwarts Legacy gameplay also controls effectively after the first install which requires an internet connection.
Beyond the Steam Deck announcement, Wood also stated that Hogwarts Legacy will not offer cross-save functionality between consoles and Steam, meaning console players won't be able to just move their files over to the handheld unit. Because Hogwarts Legacy releases for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S the same day that it does for PC, it's likely that gamepad controls will also work for anyone that still prefers a controller over the Steam Deck functionality. Given that Hogwarts Legacy is already a success on Steam and the Deck links with many accessories and controllers, it's currently unclear if it will be able to accommodate everything beyond what's been tested and verified by Valve.
Hogwarts Legacy's arrival on the Steam Deck is an expansion on how PC players will be able to play the game by offering a portable method akin to the Nintendo Switch ahead of its release on that console. Although Valve's Steam Deck won't have cross-save with consoles, the ability to swap between PC and the handheld unit effortlessly may entice some players to buy the game through Steam.
Hogwarts Legacy will release on February 10 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, April 4 for PS4 and Xbox One, and July 25 for Nintendo Switch.