Ghost of Tsushima gets Steam Deck Verified as the devs push the multiplayer into a DLC
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut just pulled a clever move to hit that coveted Steam Deck Verified badge. With Update 8, the game’s online component has been carved out into a separate, free DLC, while the base game now ships with Deck-friendly tweaks — and it’s officially Verified by Valve when running through Proton 10.
What changed with Update 8
The update focuses on making the single-player experience smoother on Steam Deck. Key changes include:
- Online co-op (Legends) moved into a free DLC package.
- A dedicated Steam Deck graphics preset for hassle-free performance.
- Interface adjustments to improve readability and usability on the handheld screen.
- Additional fixes bundled in for stability and polish.
Why split the multiplayer?
The sticking point hasn’t been PSN account linking itself, but the PlayStation Overlay that accompanies online features. That overlay currently doesn’t play nicely with Proton, the compatibility layer that lets Windows games run on Linux-based systems like SteamOS. By separating online play into DLC, the base game no longer requires the overlay, clearing the path to a Verified rating for solo play on Steam Deck.
It’s a pragmatic solution: keep the core campaign frictionless for Deck users, while isolating the problematic online feature set until it can be made fully compatible. Players who only want the single-player adventure can dive in without extra steps; those who want co-op can opt in, knowing it may behave differently on Deck for now.
Steam Deck Verified — what it means here
Verification signals that the base game meets Valve’s checkboxes for controls, display, text legibility, and platform features when run via Proton 10. With the new graphics preset and UI tweaks, Ghost of Tsushima’s campaign aligns with those expectations on the handheld. In short: download, hit Play, and you’re good to go.
The overlay roadblock and Proton
The PlayStation Overlay remains the unknown variable. Precisely why it fails under Proton hasn’t been detailed publicly, and there’s no clear timeline from platform holders on a fix. Until compatibility is sorted, the online portion will naturally sit in a different support bucket than the single-player game.
A gap in the rating system
This situation shines a light on a broader issue: DLC can change how a game behaves on Steam Deck, yet ratings largely focus on the base product. Large expansions or online add-ons may have unique dependencies that diverge from the main release. Splitting Ghost of Tsushima’s multiplayer into DLC elegantly works around that reality, but it also suggests Valve could consider DLC-specific ratings to better inform players.
What this means for players
- If you’re here for the single-player story: the game is now Steam Deck Verified and tuned for handheld play.
- If you’re jumping into multiplayer: it’s available as a free DLC, but relies on systems that may not be fully Deck-friendly yet.
- If you value plug-and-play convenience: the new Deck preset and UI improvements reduce setup time and make performance more predictable.
Takeaway
By decoupling online features and polishing Deck support, Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut hits a sweet spot: a Verified, ready-to-go single-player experience on Steam Deck today, with multiplayer tucked into a separate lane until the overlay puzzle is solved. It’s a smart, player-first adjustment — and a nudge for the platform to think harder about how DLC is rated in the future.
