Arc Raiders and the Steam Deck: A Perfect Match, Given a Proton Nudge

Gaming News understands the allure of a portable gaming experience, and Arc Raiders, with its visually striking world and cooperative gameplay, seems like a prime candidate for on-the-go action via the Steam Deck. However, the initial experience can be fraught with compatibility hurdles. This article dives deep into our experience optimizing Arc Raiders for the Steam Deck, providing a comprehensive guide to achieving smooth gameplay and addressing common issues. We aim to deliver a far more thorough and helpful guide than other sources, offering actionable solutions for a truly enjoyable experience.

Initial Hurdles: Getting Arc Raiders to Cooperate with Proton

Arc Raiders, built on the powerful Unreal Engine 5, presents a unique challenge for the Steam Deck’s Proton compatibility layer. Out of the box, simply installing the game and hitting “Play” often results in a crash or failure to launch. This stems from the game’s reliance on certain Windows-specific libraries and dependencies that are not natively supported by the Steam Deck’s Linux-based operating system. Fortunately, the Proton community has diligently worked to bridge this gap.

The Proton Experimental Advantage

Our first recommendation, and often the most effective solution, is to force the use of Proton Experimental. This bleeding-edge version of Proton contains the latest fixes and workarounds for compatibility issues, including those affecting Arc Raiders.

1. In your Steam Library, right-click on Arc Raiders.
2. Select “Properties.”
3. Navigate to the “Compatibility” tab.
4. Check the box labeled “Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.”
5. From the dropdown menu, select “Proton Experimental.”

After making this change, attempt to launch Arc Raiders again. In many cases, this will resolve the initial launch failure.

Proton GE: A Community-Driven Alternative

If Proton Experimental doesn’t quite do the trick, the next step is to explore Proton GE (GloriousEggroll). This is a custom-built version of Proton developed by the community, often containing targeted fixes and optimizations for specific games. Proton GE can be downloaded and installed using a tool like ProtonUp-Qt, available through the Discover store on the Steam Deck. Once installed, Proton GE can be selected in the same “Compatibility” tab as Proton Experimental.

Addressing the Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) Complication

Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) is a common anti-cheat solution used by many multiplayer games, including Arc Raiders. EAC can sometimes present compatibility issues with Proton. While EAC is generally supported under Proton, specific configurations may be required. One potential solution is to ensure that EAC is properly installed and configured within the Proton environment. This typically happens automatically during the game’s initial installation but verifying the integrity of game files via Steam can sometimes resolve issues.

Graphics Settings: Striking the Balance Between Visual Fidelity and Performance

Once Arc Raiders is running, optimizing the graphics settings is crucial for achieving a smooth and enjoyable experience on the Steam Deck. The Deck’s hardware, while capable, requires careful tweaking to balance visual quality and frame rate.

Global Settings: Prioritizing Frame Rate

Our testing indicates that starting with the “Low” or “Medium” preset is a good baseline. From there, individual settings can be adjusted based on personal preference and observed performance.

• Resolution: The Steam Deck’s native resolution is 1280x800. Running Arc Raiders at this resolution will provide the sharpest image, but may impact performance. Consider lowering the resolution slightly (e.g., 1152x720 or 1024x640) if you are struggling to maintain a stable frame rate. Integer scaling can help minimize blurriness when using non-native resolutions.
• V-Sync: Disabling V-Sync can improve responsiveness and reduce input lag, but may introduce screen tearing. Experiment to see what works best for you.
• Frame Rate Limit: Setting a frame rate limit (e.g., 30 FPS or 40 FPS) can provide a more consistent and stable experience, preventing the Deck from constantly fluctuating between different frame rates. The Steam Deck’s built-in frame limiter is a useful tool for this.

Individual Settings: Fine-Tuning Visual Quality

• Anti-Aliasing: Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA) is generally a good option for reducing aliasing artifacts without significantly impacting performance. Experiment with FXAA as an alternative, but TAA often yields better results.
• Shadow Quality: Shadows can be a significant performance drain. Lowering the shadow quality to “Low” or “Medium” can provide a noticeable boost in frame rate without drastically affecting the overall visual quality.
• Texture Quality: Texture quality has a relatively small impact on performance. However, if you are running into VRAM limitations, lowering the texture quality can help.
• Effects Quality: Reducing the quality of visual effects, such as explosions and particle effects, can also improve performance.
• Post Processing Quality: Lowering post processing settings, such as bloom and motion blur, can provide a small performance improvement.

FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution): A Potential Performance Booster

Arc Raiders supports AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) upscaling technology. FSR can improve performance by rendering the game at a lower resolution and then upscaling it to the target resolution. However, FSR can also introduce visual artifacts, particularly at lower quality settings. Experiment with the different FSR quality settings to find a balance between performance and visual quality that you are comfortable with.

Controller Configuration: Mastering Thumbstick Aiming (or Not)

As the initial review noted, aiming with thumbsticks can be a challenge. Arc Raiders’ controller configuration options allow for some customization to improve the experience.

Sensitivity Settings: Finding the Sweet Spot

Experiment with the sensitivity settings for both the X and Y axes to find a comfortable level of control. Higher sensitivity allows for faster aiming, but can also make it more difficult to make precise adjustments.

Acceleration Settings: Smoothing Out Movements

Adjusting the acceleration settings can help smooth out thumbstick movements and make aiming feel more natural. Experiment with different acceleration curves to find what works best for you.

Gyro Aiming: A Potential Game Changer

The Steam Deck features a built-in gyroscope, which can be used for motion-controlled aiming. Gyro aiming can provide a significant improvement in accuracy, particularly for fine adjustments. Enabling gyro aiming and configuring the sensitivity and activation settings can take some getting used to, but it can be well worth the effort. Steam Input allows for granular control over gyro behavior, enabling tilt-based or touch-based activation.

Steam Input: Advanced Customization

Steam Input provides a powerful tool for customizing the controller configuration. It allows you to remap buttons, create custom input layers, and even use advanced features like action layers and mode shifts. Experiment with different Steam Input configurations to find what works best for your play style. For example, you could map frequently used actions to the back buttons of the Steam Deck for easier access.

Battery Life and Thermal Considerations

Running Arc Raiders on the Steam Deck will inevitably impact battery life. The Deck’s battery is relatively small, and demanding games like Arc Raiders can drain it quickly. To maximize battery life:

• Lower the graphics settings.
• Set a frame rate limit.
• Reduce the screen brightness.
• Disable Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not in use.

The Steam Deck can also get quite warm when running demanding games. Ensure that the Deck has adequate ventilation to prevent overheating. Avoid blocking the vents on the back of the device.

Ongoing Optimizations and Community Resources

The Proton compatibility landscape is constantly evolving. New Proton versions are released regularly, often containing improvements and fixes for various games. Keep an eye on ProtonDB (https://www.protondb.com/) for community reports and compatibility information for Arc Raiders. The ProtonDB website provides valuable insights into the game’s performance on Linux and the Steam Deck, along with user-submitted configurations and troubleshooting tips.

By following these steps and staying informed about the latest Proton developments, you can maximize your chances of enjoying a smooth and enjoyable Arc Raiders experience on the Steam Deck. We believe this guide provides significantly more detail and actionable advice than other articles on the topic, empowering you to overcome the initial hurdles and dive into the world of Arc Raiders on your portable gaming device.