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Crimson Desert Steam Deck Verified Badge Performance Fails

Owen Carter 2 min read

Crimson Desert holds the Steam Deck Verified badge, but independent tests show it struggles with stuttering and low frame rates on the handheld.

Crimson Desert Steam Deck Verified Badge Performance Fails
GAME PERFORMANCE

owners looking for a smooth open-world experience with Crimson Desert should pause before downloading. The game carries the platform's Verified badge, which promises compatibility, but independent testing shows it struggles to run smoothly on the hardware. This discrepancy matters because the badge is supposed to be a reliable signal for buyers who want games that work without manual tweaking.

Crimson Desert gameplay on Steam Deck
Crimson Desert carries the Deck Verified badge despite performance issues.

Independent testing reveals stuttering and low frame rates

Pearl Abyss developed Crimson Desert as a massive online action RPG. assigned the Steam Deck Verified badge to the title, indicating it meets the handheld's baseline requirements. The badge suggests the game should launch and run without significant issues on the device.

  • Steam Deck Verified Badge Status: Verified
  • Tested Settings: Lowest possible settings, 3.1 upscaling at Ultra Performance
  • Average FPS (Tested): 29.8 FPS
  • 1% Low FPS (Tested): 14.9 FPS
  • 0.1% Low FPS (Tested): 11.5 FPS

Independent testing by SteamDeckHQ reveals significant performance gaps. Tests ran the game on the lowest possible settings with FSR 3.1 upscaling set to Ultra Performance. The average framerate hit only 29.8 FPS. The 1% low framerate dropped to 14.9 FPS, and the 0.1% low fell further to 11.5 FPS.

The low frame rates cause noticeable stuttering and rubber-banding during combat and movement. SteamDeckHQ noted that the game could not hold a stable 30 FPS in almost any circumstance. The author described the stuttering as horrible, with the engine constantly trying to catch up. This performance profile contradicts the expectations set by the Verified badge.

We looked at the last Crimson Desert update earlier while tracking stability themes in the game. The current performance issues suggest that the verification process may not catch all optimization problems. Valve's system appears inconsistent when applied to titles with heavy graphical demands.

Crimson Desert remains available with the Verified badge despite the poor test results. Players should expect to manage expectations regarding frame rate stability. The badge does not guarantee a smooth experience in this specific case.

Source: SteamDeckHQ

FSR Steam Steam Deck Valve

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