Doom: The Dark Ages Saved by Last-Minute SteamOS Update for Steam Deck
Doom: The Dark Ages, the latest installment in the iconic Doom franchise, faced a rocky start on the Steam Deck. Initial reports indicated the game was unplayable due to persistent crashing issues, leaving many handheld gamers disappointed. However, a timely SteamOS update emerged as a savior, breathing life into the game on the portable device just in time for its launch.
Prior to the update, players like those at Rock Paper Shotgun were unable to even reach the main menu due to crashing. The root cause seemed to stem from the game's mandatory ray tracing effects, which proved too demanding for the Steam Deck's hardware. While the Deck can usually handle many games, ray tracing has often resulted in poor performance. But the series that brought functional RT effects to the Deck in the first place, this most recent, most demanding instalment can still run around a playable 30fps. Without resorting to its lowest settings, too.
The crucial update, SteamOS Preview 3.7.6, specifically addresses the launch failure that plagued Doom: The Dark Ages. To access this fix, players need to switch to the SteamOS Preview branch in their system settings. This update has been tested for stability, but stutters may still occur.
With the update, the game launches, supports 1280x800 resolution, features functional default controls, readable small text, and smooth cloud save syncing. However, performance remains a concern. Frame rates fluctuate between 30-40fps on the Low preset with Performance upscaling enabled. Medium and High settings are achievable with some compromises. Battery life takes a significant hit, draining a fully charged original LCD-screen model in 1 hour and 20min.
While the Steam Deck update helped save Doom: The Dark Ages from launch failure, it did not completely solve the performance challenges. In the case of ROG Ally user, for example, old GPU drivers also caused crash. This is due to lack of better drivers release from Asus. Unlike with AMD's desktop and laptop graphics processors, where latest Adrenalin software is available, users are stuck waiting for Asus to release drivers. This creates issue, since the handheld vendors need to do a better job at staying up-to-date with drivers.
Despite these hurdles, the fact that Doom: The Dark Ages is even playable on the Steam Deck is a testament to the device's capabilities. Given the system requirements, it should not even be happening at all, let alone running at a stable 30fps within reach. The game's relatively small install size of 69GB is also a pleasant surprise.
As players delve into Doom: The Dark Ages on the Steam Deck, experimenting with graphics settings is crucial. While Ultra Nightmare settings are out of reach, Medium and High options are viable with strategic adjustments. Disabling Chromatic aberration, Depth of Field and FSR frame generation is recommended.
The game's reliance on ray tracing, though, remains a point of contention. Nu-Doom games have previously thrived at 60fps without ray tracing, but it looks like enforced RT games are here to stay judging by this, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. The hope remains that future updates will optimize performance further and provide options for a ray-tracing-less experience.
The successful, albeit imperfect, launch of Doom: The Dark Ages on the Steam Deck demonstrates the power of timely software updates and the resilience of handheld gaming. The SteamOS update not only fixed the launch failure, but also improved cloud saves, control, and 1280x800 resolution support, ensuring a minimum level of experience. What are your thoughts on ray tracing on handheld gaming devices? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below!
