I'm considering buying a Steam Deck, but my main concern is compatibility with my existing library, which has a lot of older AAA titles and some indie games that aren't officially verified. I don't mind tinkering with settings, but I want to avoid games that are fundamentally broken or require excessive workarounds. For current owners, how accurate do you find the official verification system, and what's your process for checking if an unsupported game will actually run well through Proton or community configurations?
Short version: official verification helps, but it's not all-encompassing. A lot of 'Playable' tags still require tweaks, especially with older AAA and indie titles. I always cross-check ProtonDB and community guides before trusting a game will run well on Deck.
My typical workflow: assemble a small test list (5–8 titles), review their status on Steam's Deck compatibility pages, then test with the default Proton. If you hit issues, try a different Proton (like Proton Experimental or a community fork such as Proton GE) and document what changed. Use the Proton logs (steamapps/compatdata) to see missing DLLs or libraries; keeping a simple spreadsheet helps track outcomes and any online features that are functional.
Note about anti-cheat and DRM: many big games won't run on Deck unless they support Steam Play or have patches/workarounds. You might see a 'Playable' tag but lose multiplayer, cloud saves, or achieving consistent performance. Plan for potential workarounds or designate some titles as offline-capable. Also remember overlays and background processes can affect stability; test with overlays off and no third-party launchers during initial checks.
Here's a practical 4-step test plan you can copy-paste: 1) list 10 target games; 2) check Steam's Deck compatibility and Proton DB notes; 3) test with the default Proton and then a second pass with Proton Experimental or GE; 4) test multiplayer features or cloud saves; 5) keep a one-page verdict per game: runs well, works with caveats, or not recommended. Build a short chart to compare results and decide what to play first.
What titles are in your library? Are you aiming for mostly single-player or some MP multiplayer as well? If you want, share a few examples and I’ll map a tailored testing plan and a mini checklist you can follow.