Understanding Bazzite Deck, Gamescope, and Desktop Mode
I have a Steam Deck and am seriously considering installing Bazzite instead of the stock SteamOS, and I plan to do the same when the Steam Machine comes out, but some things weren't clear to me after reading through the documentation.
In general, I want Bazzite because I prefer Gnome over KDE, use multiple game launchers (GOG, Steam, and standalone applications through itch.io), want to install software from the terminal and not flatpaks, and dislike how SteamOS boots straight into Gaming mode as this prioritizes Steam over other libraries.
One thing gives me pause, though, and that's how games run worse in SteamOS Desktop mode due to Gamescope being inaccessible without gaming mode, but am unsure if this also applies to Bazzite. I'd want to be sure I'm not gimping my Steam Deck by installing Bazzite without Steam Gaming Mode.
- I understand that Steam Gaming Mode is an optional add-on for the Bazzite-Deck variant 2 image. Can I still use Gamescope, MangoHud and FSR on Desktop mode if I do not install Steam Gaming Mode (variant 1)?
- Will I lose access to controller interface compatibility and shortcuts in Desktop mode if I go with variant 1 and not Bazzite-Deck?
- Is there a way to revert to SteamOS if Bazzite-Deck isn't working for me?
Edit: I currently add non-Steam games to Steam and am looking for a Desktop mode alternative for that method, if it exists.
Sorry to disappoint you,
Bazzite is KDE too. And although you can install "normal" packages through DistroBox, it is designed with a Flatpak-first mindset.EDIT: there is a GNOME version. You never stop learning. :P
If you have a modem GPU, yes! I've never used MangoHud, but I can confirm that gamescope and FSR also work in Desktop Mode on the "non-deck" variant. Also outside of Steam.
No, that still works as long as you launch games from Steam. They are also working on an alternative UI that will let you use the controller customization thing without going through Steam, but it's still experimental afaik.
Another suggestion: try Heroic Launcher, this will let you install and launch games from Epic, GOG and Amazon Prime through a unified interface. It also adds everything to Steam automatically, in case you want to switch to Game Mode or Big Screen. It doesn't support itch.io, but you could add them manually if you want.
Let us know if you have any more questions or doubts!
Thanks for the advice!
I could do Flatpaks if needed. Actually, that might be better on handheld anyway. But great to hear I wouldn't lose access to the performance-tweaking stuff.
I think I'm going to test it with an image that includes Steam Gaming Mode so I can test it all both ways. Steam Deck will be my guinea pig for Steam Machine. If I'm able to do everything from Desktop Mode, I'll reinstall the OS without Gaming Mode, or otherwise I'll use Heroic/Decky to make things work as smoothly as possible with multiple launchers.
You can add non-Steam games to Steam and then launch them from Game Mode.
Yes, it's called rebasing. Can be done with a single command. They show it on the website after selecting your configuration.