Are You Ready to Play Shadow of the Erdtree?
Steam Deck users anticipating the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree expansion release on June 21, 2024, may have a slight concern. Patch 1.12, while introducing new features, unfortunately includes a bug impacting gameplay on the handheld platform. This bug, if left unaddressed by a timely hotfix, could render the game unplayable for prolonged periods of inactivity.
The Steam Deck Inactivity Bug
FromSoftware has acknowledged a Steam Deck-specific issue where Elden Ring loses input functionality after five minutes or more of inactivity. This isn’t a trivial inconvenience. Leaving the game idle, even for short periods, can result in losing control, hindering the gameplay experience. This particular bug impacts only Steam Deck users. Other platforms are not affected.
The Potential for Data Loss
- A significant concern is the potential for save data corruption if players need to hard reset their Steam Decks due to the input-loss issue.
- To mitigate this risk, FromSoftware recommends exiting the game through the main menu to ensure a clean save.
- Unintentional shutdowns, crashes, or the Steam Deck bug can lead to corrupted saves if proper exit procedures are not followed.
Workarounds and Future Fixes
While the inconvenience is real, the game isn’t completely broken. Players can avoid the input loss by periodically interacting with the game. FromSoftware has committed to fixing the issue; however, the exact date of the hotfix remains uncertain. Their official response implies that the hotfix might not be ready in time for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion’s launch.
Other Features in Patch 1.12
Despite the bug, Patch 1.12 introduces several desirable additions, including new hairstyles, quality-of-life improvements, and the ability to summon Torrent, the Spirit Steed, in the final boss battle. The availability of new features is unaffected by the ongoing Steam Deck bug.
Accessing Shadow of the Erdtree
The Shadow of the Erdtree DLC, however, requires players to complete certain pre-requisites, including defeating an optional boss. This ensures players are adequately prepared to engage with the challenges presented by the DLC’s narrative and content.
Impact on the Overall Experience
While the input loss bug is a minor inconvenience for Steam Deck players, it could be frustrating for players who aren’t aware or forget to interact with the game periodically during extended sessions. Despite this, the overall positive aspects of Patch 1.12 and the excitement surrounding Shadow of the Erdtree are not diminished by this bug, as it only affects a specific platform.
Conclusion
This ongoing Steam Deck bug is a significant challenge for users, particularly given the recent launch of the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. FromSoftware’s commitment to resolving the input loss issue is encouraging, but the uncertainty surrounding the hotfix release date underscores the importance of vigilance and preparedness for users on the Steam Deck platform.
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