Valve's latest Steam Client update includes significant improvements for Linux gaming, including automatic Proton assignment for manually added non-Steam Windows games and a streamlined UI for compatibility tools.
Developers and power users will also find fixes for Vulkan performance, Steam Overlay stability, and new experimental support for the Pyrowave video encoder in Remote Play.
Better support for games on Linux
The update simplifies the process for those who play games designed for Windows on Linux systems. Now, when you manually add such a game to Steam, the program automatically uses the necessary compatibility tools. At the same time, the options menu for these settings has become more functional, always suggesting the best option.
Additionally, Steam now provides warnings if a game is incompatible with your computer's hardware or the tool used to run it. Several technical issues have also been fixed, such as glitches that prevented games from launching smoothly outside of Steam or applications from closing properly.
Improvements to controls and performance
Controller handling has been made more stable, with fixes to virtual device recognition and improvements to the speed of loading settings. Owners of the original Steam Controller will see fixes to the analog triggers, the ability to adjust vibration, and a new option to connect via Bluetooth. A more modern interface for defining button combinations has also been added.
For those using Vulkan technology in their games, the new version reduces crashes and improves the performance of the menu that appears above the game.
New features in Big Picture and Remote Play
The application is enriched with additional features, such as:
- RemotePlay: An experimental video encoding technology has been added for better image quality when streaming.
- Big Picture: A new display format for games (Big Art Mode) and a personal calendar for the user are introduced.
The update will be performed automatically the next time you launch Steam. If it hasn't been done yet, you can manually check for available updates through the application menu.
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