On December 5, 2024, Phoenix Labs announced the launch of their popular free-to-play monster-hunting game, Dauntless, on Steam. This exciting development allows players to dive into the immersive world of monster hunting without any financial commitment. The game is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, including those using the Steam Deck and desktop Linux systems.

With the game’s arrival on Steam, the developers have made it clear that they have no intention of blocking compatibility for the Steam Deck. Their commitment to accessibility was highlighted in a statement made in late November, emphasizing their focus on ensuring that players can enjoy Dauntless across various platforms.

At launch, the game features Easy Anti-Cheat, a system designed to maintain fair play and integrity within the gaming environment. However, as of now, Valve has not provided an official Steam Deck compatibility rating for Dauntless, and the developers have yet to release specific compatibility details for the Steam Deck.

Testing the game on the Steam Deck using Proton 9.0-3, it was observed that Dauntless launches successfully, with Easy Anti-Cheat initializing as expected. Players are required to have an Epic Games Account to play, which can be easily linked through the Steam interface using the touch screen. Once linked, gamepad controls function seamlessly, allowing for an enjoyable gaming experience.

Initial performance tests on the Steam Deck showed promising results, with the game maintaining over 50 frames per second (FPS) on low overall settings. While it occasionally dipped into the 40s during intense combat scenarios, the overall performance remained satisfactory for players seeking an engaging experience.

However, some users reported issues with display modes that affected the resolution in the game’s menu. A workaround for this issue is to use the Borderless Window mode, which seems to resolve the problem effectively. Players also have the option to adjust text scaling within the game, although some text remains small despite these adjustments.

For those attempting to play Dauntless on desktop Linux, particularly with Kubuntu 24.10, there have been challenges with Easy Anti-Cheat, resulting in a “Client game integrity violation error.” A temporary solution involves using a specific launch option that simulates a Steam Deck environment: SteamDeck=1 %command%.

In response to inquiries regarding compatibility, the Dauntless press team confirmed via email that the anti-cheat system is indeed compatible with the Steam Deck, and they are committed to making further enhancements to improve functionality on this platform.

As the gaming community continues to explore Dauntless on Steam, players are encouraged to monitor updates regarding anti-cheat compatibility for Linux and the Steam Deck. Feedback on compatibility issues can be shared on dedicated forums, helping to improve the experience for all players.

With its engaging gameplay and commitment to cross-platform compatibility, Dauntless is poised to attract a diverse player base eager to embark on thrilling monster-hunting adventures.

Game Details:

• Release Date: December 5, 2024
• Platform: Steam
• Tags: Proton, Steam Deck, Action, Anti-Cheat, Free Game, HOWTO, New Release, Online Co-op, Steam, Unreal Engine