Horizon Forbidden West, the highly anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn, has been a topic of discussion and excitement among gamers since its announcement. Developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment exclusively for PlayStation consoles, the game has garnered immense interest due to its stunning visuals, intricate storyline, and engaging gameplay. However, the question on many PC gamers’ minds is whether this title will be available on the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming device.
Horizon Forbidden West: A Brief Overview
Horizon Forbidden West continues the story of Aloy, a young hunter in a world overrun by robotic creatures. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic environment, featuring a vast open world with diverse ecosystems, each filled with unique challenges and mysteries. The sequel promises to expand upon the original’s gameplay mechanics, offering more tools, weapons, and abilities for players to explore and master.
Steam Deck: Valve’s Handheld Gaming Device
The Steam Deck is Valve Corporation’s venture into handheld gaming, aiming to bring PC gaming to a portable format. It runs a custom AMD APU, combining Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, and utilizes a custom AMD graphics part. The device is designed to run the entire Steam library, allowing users to play their favorite PC games on the go.
The Possibility of Horizon Forbidden West on Steam Deck
As of my knowledge cut-off in January 2022, Horizon Forbidden West is a PlayStation exclusive, with no official announcements from Sony or Guerrilla Games regarding a release on other platforms, including the Steam Deck. The predecessor, Horizon Zero Dawn, was initially a PlayStation 4 exclusive but was later released on PC, giving hope to fans that a PC version of Horizon Forbidden West might eventually be released.
However, even if Horizon Forbidden West does make its way to PC, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee availability on the Steam Deck. The game’s system requirements might exceed the capabilities of the Steam Deck, considering the game’s high-quality graphics and detailed environments. The developers would need to optimize the game for the handheld device, ensuring it runs smoothly and maintains its visual appeal.
The Role of Exclusivity
Sony’s strategy of maintaining exclusivity for its high-profile games is a significant factor in the availability of Horizon Forbidden West on other platforms. Exclusivity is a way for Sony to drive sales of its PlayStation consoles, and releasing such a high-profile game on other platforms could potentially impact the sales and market share of PlayStation.
However, the eventual release of Horizon Zero Dawn on PC indicates a shift in Sony’s approach to exclusivity, possibly recognizing the additional revenue streams and expanded player base that multi-platform releases can offer. This shift raises the possibility of Horizon Forbidden West being available on platforms like the Steam Deck in the future.
Conclusion
While the prospect of playing Horizon Forbidden West on the Steam Deck is an exciting one, there has been no official confirmation from Sony or Guerrilla Games regarding its release on platforms other than PlayStation. The game’s high system requirements and Sony’s exclusivity strategy are significant hurdles to its availability on the Steam Deck. However, the release of Horizon Zero Dawn on PC has given hope to fans that Sony might consider multi-platform releases for its high-profile games in the future. Until an official announcement is made, the possibility remains speculative, and fans will have to wait and see if they will be able to experience the adventures of Aloy on the Steam Deck.
