Steam Deck Offline Mode

[meh1ghlow]

Hello guys. I need your help.
I am interested to buy Steam Deck in future. I am working as a seafarer and I don't have internet access 4-6 months. Can someone explain to me can I use Steam Deck and play games offline, normally. Can I just download all games I like at home, and when I am on ship I can go offline and play normally? Are there some Steam Deck updates that require internet access or something like that?

Thank you in advance! :)

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/0E18-319B-E34B-B2C8

[Murasakino Rin]

as long as you run each game once while the steam deck is connected to the internet, you should be good. otherwise becareful of titles that require DRM check-ins

[meh1ghlow]

Originally posted by Murasakino Rin:

as long as you run each game once while the steam deck is connected to the internet, you should be good. otherwise becareful of titles that require DRM check-ins

Thanks for an answer. What is that DRM check-in and how can I know that game require it?

[meh1ghlow]

Do anyone of you guys have steam deck and know more about offline mode. I don't want to buy it and go on ship where I can not play my games offline, that will be s**t and waste of money :D

[shadowboy813]

Check if a game on GoG runs on your steam deck. GoG games are DRM-free so they should work in offline mode indefinitely. You may need to use Heroic launcher or Lutris.

[tyl0413]

You wanna avoid games that require other accounts, launchers or DRM like Denuvo to run. You can find account info displayed on store pages and theres curators for Denuvo games.
Other things will run and yes GOG is a great recommendation, everything on there runs without any online requirement and such crap, that's their whole thing.

[meh1ghlow]

But what about the games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls, RDR2 etc. Can I play them in offline mode without internet connection?

[tyl0413]

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

But what about the games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls, RDR2 etc. Can I play them in offline mode without internet connection?

Elden Ring, Dark Souls = Yes, they don't need any extra DRM, just Steam.
RDR2 = No, needs Rockstar launcher and some extra DRM

[meh1ghlow]

Originally posted by tyl0413:

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

But what about the games like Elden Ring, Dark Souls, RDR2 etc. Can I play them in offline mode without internet connection?

Elden Ring, Dark Souls = Yes, they don't need any extra DRM, just Steam.
RDR2 = No, needs Rockstar launcher and some extra DRM

Do you know any other AAA games that don't require internet and DRM s**t. I am trying to find "big" games for steam deck so I can play whole my contract on ship without internet :D

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

A few lists that may or may not be completely updated...

https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/38523697-DRM-FREE-GAMES/

https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7540156-DRM-Free-Games/

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

Originally posted by tyl0413:

Elden Ring, Dark Souls = Yes, they don't need any extra DRM, just Steam.
RDR2 = No, needs Rockstar launcher and some extra DRM

Do you know any other AAA games that don't require internet and DRM s**t. I am trying to find "big" games for steam deck so I can play whole my contract on ship without internet :D

Rule of thumb: the moment it got an own launcher/account, you should check whether it runs offline. Good thing: there's a clear warning about said own launchers/accounts on the Steam store page of a game. So look for that and if "yes", then ask on the forum of said game.

On a related side-note, you shouldn't attempt EA games offline. Their launcher was a PITA trying to play Mass Effect on subway commute.

[tyl0413]

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

Originally posted by tyl0413:

Elden Ring, Dark Souls = Yes, they don't need any extra DRM, just Steam.
RDR2 = No, needs Rockstar launcher and some extra DRM

Do you know any other AAA games that don't require internet and DRM s**t. I am trying to find "big" games for steam deck so I can play whole my contract on ship without internet :D

You should check pcgamingwiki as linked above for the games you're interested in.
If it says DRM free or Steam only you're likely good, if it says Origin/Uplay/extra account/always online/Denuvo/Arxan/etc it most likely will not work reliably even if the game itself works offline because the extra launchers will often kick you out and demand you relogin.
Generally most older games will work meanwhile most brand new AAA games will need some kind of periodic online reactivation.

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

Originally posted by tyl0413:

Elden Ring, Dark Souls = Yes, they don't need any extra DRM, just Steam.
RDR2 = No, needs Rockstar launcher and some extra DRM

Do you know any other AAA games that don't require internet and DRM s**t. I am trying to find "big" games for steam deck so I can play whole my contract on ship without internet :D

As mentioned previous in this thread, you still must launch an installed game for the first time while connected to the internet for Steam do perform it's own DRM check. After that, if the game supports offline mode, you can run it offline.

In short, don't download a whole bunch of games and then jump on a ship with no internet. You'll need to download them, launch each on to their main menu, then you can run them offline if they support it.

[meh1ghlow]

Originally posted by Mahjik:

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

Do you know any other AAA games that don't require internet and DRM s**t. I am trying to find "big" games for steam deck so I can play whole my contract on ship without internet :D

As mentioned previous in this thread, you still must launch an installed game for the first time while connected to the internet for Steam do perform it's own DRM check. After that, if the game supports offline mode, you can run it offline.

In short, don't download a whole bunch of games and then jump on a ship with no internet. You'll need to download them, launch each on to their main menu, then you can run them offline if they support it.

Okay, clear. But for example:
When I am home, connected to internet, I can buy all games, download it, start normally with internet access. After that I can go to offline mode (turn off wifi, turn on airplane mode, and all other settings) and play games normally few months without internet?

(off course games that not require internet access)

[Mahjik]

Originally posted by meh1ghlow:

Originally posted by Mahjik:

As mentioned previous in this thread, you still must launch an installed game for the first time while connected to the internet for Steam do perform it's own DRM check. After that, if the game supports offline mode, you can run it offline.

In short, don't download a whole bunch of games and then jump on a ship with no internet. You'll need to download them, launch each on to their main menu, then you can run them offline if they support it.

Okay, clear. But for example:
When I am home, connected to internet, I can buy all games, download it, start normally with internet access. After that I can go to offline mode (turn off wifi, turn on airplane mode, and all other settings) and play games normally few months without internet?

(off course games that not require internet access)

Correct.

Many people (including myself) have been caught out by the "first launch must be able to connect to Steam servers" requirement.