Valve has recently released a series of updates for the Steam Deck Beta Client, introducing several new features and improvements to enhance the gaming experience on the handheld gaming PC. One of the most notable additions is the introduction of a global game resolution setting, something fans have been asking for, for a while. Useful if you don’t want to use the display’s native resolution by default.

Previously, users had to manually adjust the resolution for each game individually. This could be time-consuming, especially for those with extensive libraries of games. With the new global game resolution setting, players can now set a default resolution that will be applied to all games, unless specified otherwise. This feature offers greater flexibility and convenience, allowing users to quickly and easily adjust their gaming experience with a blanket setting.

More changes to the Steam Deck in the past week

In addition to the global game resolution setting, the latest updates also include several other enhancements. A new Sign Out button has been added to the power menu, making it easier for users to switch between accounts. Game recording settings have also been expanded, allowing players to enable or disable recording on a per-game basis, control the duration and bitrate of background recordings, and view all recorded media in a new list view.

Furthermore, smaller updates have addressed various bugs and issues, such as the controller configurator in the desktop overlay not responding to escape key presses and the list view not updating correctly when a game exits. These improvements contribute to a more stable and reliable gaming experience overall.

How to download the new Steam Deck beta update

To access these new features, Steam Deck users can download the latest Steam Client Beta or Preview update from the System Settings. Follow the steps below, as detailed by Steam itself:

• Press the ‘Steam’ button on your Deck
• Go to Settings > System
• Locate the System Update Channel dropdown option and select ‘Beta’
• Follow the prompt and restart your Steam Deck

These updates are available to users who have opted into the Beta or Preview channels. Overall, the recent updates to the Steam Deck Beta Client offer a range of enhancements that improve the gaming experience on this popular console. The global game resolution setting, in particular, is a significant addition that will benefit many users.

About the Author

Tom Valentine

Tom is a tech writer with a detailed view on ensuring the best buying advice, most useful information, and latest news makes its way into PC Guide's articles.