Throne and Liberty, the latest fantasy MMORPG from NCSoft, has undeniably made waves since its release, skyrocketing to the upper echelons of the Steam charts almost instantly. This success, however, has been met with an unexpected hurdle for gamers using the Steam Deck. While the game functioned smoothly during beta testing on this handheld device, the official launch revealed a critical flaw—players utilizing the Steam Deck were facing server disconnections and gameplay errors. Upon further investigation, the problematic culprit was traced back to Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), the game’s chosen anti-hacking measure, which erroneously blocked access for those playing on Linux-based systems.
Reports indicate that shortly after Throne and Liberty’s release, players found themselves abruptly removed from game servers. Initial speculation suggested that perhaps a lapse in the deployment process could have led to EAC not functioning correctly on the Steam Deck, preventing those users from participating in online play. Fortunately, as of early October, these issues appear to have been rectified, and the game is functioning smoothly on the handheld console once more. Many players, myself included, have been able to enjoy the game seamlessly, immersing ourselves in its expansive world without further complications.
The underlying issue is thought to stem from a failure on the part of either NCSoft or Amazon Games to properly configure EAC for SteamOS in the final product. This oversight highlights the complexity of ensuring compatibility across different systems. The EAC system is designed to protect the integrity of online play, and as a fail-safe, any perceived absence of the software triggers a complete block for online access, causing more trouble than it solves for legitimate players on the Steam Deck.
Despite its initial troubles, the outcome for Throne and Liberty players on the Steam Deck has remained relatively fortunate compared to other titles that have struggled with anti-cheat implementations. For instance, Wuthering Waves had to be briefly unplayable on the platform following an update. Similarly, the addition of BattlEye to GTA Online manifested challenges that were unexplained and seemingly arbitrary. In contrast, Throne and Liberty managed to resolve its issues fairly rapidly, securing a more favorable position in the ongoing discourse surrounding the compatibility of games on portable systems.
It’s also notable that, according to Valve’s policies, the process to ensure EAC’s functionality on SteamOS is not particularly complex but does necessitate careful attention during the development phase. The nature of the oversight indicates a lack of thorough testing or perhaps a rushed deployment, raising questions about quality assurance practices within the teams involved.
For those players who can access Throne and Liberty now on their Steam Deck, the experience remains a mixed bag. While the game runs at commendable frame rates and maintains decent graphics on lower settings, the user interface can prove challenging. Text on the 7-inch screen can appear exceedingly small, sometimes making it difficult for players to read critical information. Adjusting settings such as FSR upscaling can mitigate this issue somewhat, allowing for a better visual experience overall. However, players might still find themselves wrestling with graphical fidelity and performance balance, as character models can occasionally resemble crumbling figures rather than polished avatars.
In this context, the question arises—how will Throne and Liberty be classified in the Steam Deck Verified ranking system? Given the current realities, it seems destined to land in the ‘Playable’ category. While functional, it is evident that there are elements that still require fine-tuning to ensure an optimal gaming experience on handheld devices.
Throne and Liberty’s tumultuous start on the Steam Deck serves as a broader reminder of the responsibilities developers carry when releasing new titles across multiple platforms. The gaming community thrives on accessibility, and any barriers to entry—especially concerning anti-cheat measures—can breed discontent. The industry must learn from these instances to not only foster robust gameplay but also ensure that players do not feel alienated by their hardware choices.
As Throne and Liberty continues to evolve, its developers must remain vigilant, adapting to player feedback and technological challenges alike. Ultimately, the melding of high-profile titles and innovative platforms like the Steam Deck represents the future of gaming, and ensuring seamless integration there can reflect well on game developers and bolster the gamer community.
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