I’m on a game development team looking to improve our game for the Steam Deck, so I’ve decided to buy one for hands-on testing. My concern is that the OLED version has a slightly larger screen, and I’m worried this could affect text readability. What looks good on the OLED might not translate to the smaller screen effectively. Has anyone here used both models and can share their experience with text readability differences?
3 Answers
I had both the Ally X and the Steam Deck OLED (I returned the Ally X) and I feel like that extra 0.4″ actually does make a difference. However, if I had to pick just one device, I’d still go with the smaller screen since it’s more practical.
I don’t think the .4 inches makes a huge difference in terms of text readability. You might consider adding a text scaling option in your settings so players can choose what works for them. Ultimately, it’s more about individual eyesight and preferences than the size difference. Plus, keep in mind that the Xbox Ally has a 7″ screen too, so your game should be fine on that as well.
Thanks for the suggestion!
It really shouldn’t matter much. To be safe, choose a good font and make sure to include text scaling options. That way, no matter the platform, players can tailor the experience to their liking.
We did try an implementation for scaling, but it turned out our UI is too complex for easy adjustments. We’re a small indie team and a full redesign is just not feasible right now.
Thanks for sharing your experience!