Proton Experimental Fixes Starfield, ARC Raiders on Steam Deck
Valve has just pushed a significant new update to Proton Experimental, its forward-thinking compatibility layer that allows Windows games to run on Linux and the Steam Deck. The latest release, dated November 7th, is packed with crucial fixes targeting a slate of high-profile titles, with a particular focus on games from the Xbox Game Studios portfolio, bringing welcome stability and performance improvements for players on SteamOS.
For the uninitiated, Proton is the magic that powers much of the Steam Deck's incredible versatility. It's a powerful tool developed by Valve that translates Windows-based game instructions into a language that Linux-based operating systems, like SteamOS, can understand. The "Experimental" branch is the bleeding edge, where Valve tests the very latest fixes and features before they roll out to the wider public. This new update is a testament to the team's ongoing commitment to refining the experience, ensuring more games run better, faster, and with fewer issues.
Key Fixes for Xbox Game Studios Titles
A substantial portion of this update is dedicated to enhancing the experience across several popular games published by Xbox Game Studios and its subsidiaries. This concerted effort ensures that some of the biggest titles in their catalog now run more reliably on Valve's handheld and Linux desktops.
Players diving into the vast universe of Bethesda's Starfield will be relieved to hear that a particularly troublesome bug has been squashed. The update addresses an issue where the game could hang indefinitely for some users while attempting to load a save file. This fix eliminates a major point of friction, allowing aspiring space explorers to seamlessly continue their interstellar journeys without fear of a progress-blocking freeze.
The update also delivers a critical fix for the cooperative survival adventure, Grounded. Players have been experiencing crashes, especially during multiplayer sessions. This patch specifically targets those multiplayer stability problems, allowing friends to shrink down and explore the backyard ecosystem together without unexpected interruptions. Stable multiplayer is the lifeblood of a game like Grounded, making this a vital improvement.
Other notable fixes for the publisher's lineup include:
- Pentiment: The critically-acclaimed narrative adventure game from Obsidian Entertainment received a fix for an issue causing it to hang when transitioning between scenes, ensuring the captivating story flows without a hitch.
- Minecraft Legends: Controller input problems have been resolved in this action-strategy title, providing a much smoother and more responsive gameplay experience for those using a gamepad.
- The Lamplighters League: A fix has been implemented to address video playback issues, allowing the game's cinematic cutscenes to play correctly and immerse the player in its pulp-adventure world.
ARC Raiders and Broader System Enhancements
Beyond the extensive work on Xbox Game Studios titles, the update also brings a crucial fix for the highly anticipated free-to-play shooter, ARC Raiders. The patch resolves a key login issue that was preventing players from accessing the game. As anticipation for the game's full release builds, ensuring a smooth entry point for players on Steam Deck and Linux is a significant step forward.
Under the hood, this Proton Experimental release also includes updated core components that benefit the entire ecosystem. Key translation layers like vkd3d-proton and DXVK, which handle the complex task of converting DirectX 11, 12, and older graphics commands to the Vulkan API that Linux uses, have been refreshed. These updates often bring widespread performance gains, reduce graphical glitches, and improve compatibility across a vast library of games, even those not explicitly mentioned in the patch notes. These foundational improvements are what make Proton an ever-evolving and increasingly robust platform for PC gaming.
What This Means for the Steam Deck Community
Each Proton Experimental update reinforces Valve's deep investment in the Steam Deck and the broader Linux gaming landscape. While a stable, verified experience is the goal for all titles, these rapid-fire experimental patches are essential for addressing issues in new releases and popular ongoing games.
This update demonstrates a proactive approach, targeting specific, user-reported problems in some of the most-played games on the market today. For Steam Deck owners, it means more time playing and less time troubleshooting. It solidifies the handheld's reputation as a viable, and often excellent, platform for playing the latest and greatest PC titles, regardless of their native operating system.
How to Get the Latest Proton Experimental Update
If you're playing any of the titles mentioned above or simply want to be on the cutting edge of Steam Play compatibility, switching to Proton Experimental is easy.
- Open your Steam Library on your Steam Deck or Linux PC.
- Use the search bar to find "Proton Experimental."
- If it is not already in your library, select it and click the "Install" button. It's a small download.
- To use it for a specific game, navigate to that game in your library.
- Select the gear icon on the right and choose "Properties."
- In the new window, go to the "Compatibility" tab.
- Check the box that says "Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool."
- From the dropdown menu below, select "Proton Experimental."
Close the window, and the next time you launch the game, it will use the latest version of Proton Experimental, including all the fixes from this November 7th update.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is Proton?Proton is a compatibility layer for Steam Play, developed by Valve. It allows games created exclusively for Windows to run on Linux and SteamOS. It's the core technology that makes the vast majority of the Steam library playable on the Steam Deck.
Q2: Is Proton Experimental stable?As the name suggests, it is an experimental "beta" branch. While it contains the very latest fixes, it can sometimes introduce new, temporary issues. However, it is often the best way to play the newest games that may have problems on older, stable Proton versions.
Q3: Do I need to use Proton Experimental for all my games?No. It is best to only force Proton Experimental on games that are having issues or are known to benefit from it. For most games, the default or a numbered stable version of Proton will work perfectly fine.
Q4: How do I switch back from Proton Experimental?You can easily switch back by following the same steps listed above. Simply go to the game's "Properties," then "Compatibility," and either uncheck the "Force the use..." box to return to the default setting, or select a different numbered Proton version from the list.