Valve’s Steam Deck continues to expand its game library with two high-profile additions: Subnautica 2 and Forza Horizon 6, both now officially verified for compatibility. While neither title has yet revealed concrete performance benchmarks, their inclusion hints at a broader push toward optimizing larger titles for the handheld’s hardware constraints.
The verification process ensures that these games will run on Steam Deck with proper UI scaling, controller support, and Proton compatibility—though actual frame rates remain unclear. Subnautica 2’s minimum PC requirements (RX 5500 XT or GTX 1660 paired with a Ryzen 5 2600 or Core i5-8400) suggest that Steam Deck users will likely rely on upscaling technologies like FSR to maintain playable performance, much like other demanding titles on the platform.
Forza Horizon 6 presents a similar conundrum. While its minimum hardware specifications don’t specify frame rates or resolution scaling, the game’s developer has previously emphasized compatibility with Steam Deck and ASUS ROG handhelds. This dual verification—coming just days before Subnautica 2’s Early Access launch and Forza’s review embargo—underscores Valve’s commitment to curating a robust library for its hardware, even as it navigates the tradeoffs of power efficiency versus performance.
For PC builders, this development reinforces the Steam Deck’s role as a bridge between desktop and handheld gaming. While the RX 5000 series remains a staple in mid-range builds, the focus on upscaling solutions mirrors broader industry trends. Whether these titles will push the boundaries of what’s possible on the Steam Deck—or simply reinforce its limitations—remains to be seen.
