The release of *Throne and Liberty*, NCSoft’s highly anticipated fantasy MMORPG, has made a significant impact, soaring to the top of Steam’s charts almost instantaneously. However, this success story has been shadowed by unexpected hiccups for players using the Steam Deck—a portable gaming device that has garnered a passionate following. Despite prior successful beta tests, the game encountered a rocky launch regarding compatibility with the Linux-based SteamOS.
Soon after its release, reports emerged from eager players who attempted to enjoy *Throne and Liberty* on their Steam Decks. Many users found themselves abruptly booted from servers, experiencing the frustration of being tossed out of an immersive world they were just beginning to explore. The culprit behind this disruption appeared to be Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), the system designed to flag and deny access to potential cheaters. Some have humorously speculated that a careless Amazon employee, perhaps amidst post-launch celebrations, inadvertently triggered a cascade of compatibility failures.
The underlying issue stemmed from a likely oversight related to enabling EAC functionality for the SteamOS environment. In simpler terms, it appears that either NCSoft or Amazon Games neglected to toggle the necessary settings that would allow EAC to recognize and authorize players on Linux systems. Valve’s guidelines clarify that while such adjustments aren’t prohibitively complex, they do require a modicum of manual setup—a fact that appears to have escaped their notice in the launch build.
Fortunately, reports as of early October suggested that the game’s compatibility issues on the Steam Deck have been resolved. Many players can once again dive into the fantasy realms without disruption. Moreover, I have personally tested the game on a Steam Deck OLED, confirming that it runs smoothly and allows for seamless interaction with fellow players who are exploring the same virtual landscapes. While many of these players have embraced their wolf transformation abilities, the sheer number of them brings up questions about game balance and player diversity.
Despite the positives, *Throne and Liberty* must recognize the broader implications of such compatibility issues. Although players weren’t subject to outright banning for their attempts to access the game on the Steam Deck, the initial chaos serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of launch day management. Compared to other titles that have faced even greater hurdles when it comes to anti-cheat systems, like *Wuthering Waves* and *GTA Online*, it would seem that *Throne and Liberty* has emerged relatively unscathed.
My personal experience with *Throne and Liberty* on the Steam Deck has been mixed but mostly positive. Predicting how the game will be assessed in Valve’s Steam Deck Verified ranking system is tricky, but if forced to project, I would categorize it as ‘Playable’. While players may encounter issues with the game’s user interface—specifically, some text appearing diminutively small on the device’s 7-inch display—the overall controls function adequately. Moreover, even on lower graphics settings, the frame rates tend to remain above 30 frames per second, delivering a solid gaming experience.
For those looking to enhance the visuals, consider switching FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) from Balanced to Quality mode. This adjustment will noticeably improve the visual fidelity of character models, mitigating the unnerving effect of seeing them seemingly disintegrate with movement.
Ultimately, while the journey for *Throne and Liberty* on the Steam Deck has been fraught with issues, the resolution of its initial complications demonstrates the developers’ ability to respond to player needs. As this MMORPG continues to evolve and improve, both on Steam and on different platforms, it stands at a crossroads—having to convince both newcomers and veteran players that it truly deserves a spot in their gaming collection. With its thriving player base, captivating world, and ongoing support, *Throne and Liberty* is likely to maintain its remarkable trajectory. For fans of multiplayer fantasy adventures seeking a portable experience, it’s worth keeping an eye on how this title develops in the months to come.