Possible Perf issue with Gamemaker on Steam Deck

[AweJosh]

Description

Hi!

So i think i have found a strange bug when running gamemaker games on steamdeck hardware.

For over a month now i've been trying to squash a perf issue on our game and i've come to the conclusion that it's possibly and issue with GM and/or the Steam Deck itself.

Seemingly randomly, the game perf will become very choppy and the steam deck's profiling graph will start freaking out. Gamemaker's graph will stay buttery smooth. The issue consistently goes away when i open the steam overlay, which is very strange.

To run this on steam deck, i am adding the compiled YYC build onto my steamdeck, and then opening the game. The game has to use the Proton Experimental compatability option to work ofcourse.

Please let me know if theres any other information i can give

Here is a video demonstration:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sbhjPwvbpATgROU5GIkjGBGsYRHDkgWX/view?usp=sharing

Contact us package:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VYJhIX7U6JZ33L5yeQSeVWdUQFaVb4i-/view?usp=sharing

Expected Change

No response

Steps To Reproduce

1. Run YYC build of game on steam deck
2. Run the game until the issue occurs (usually random)
3. End the issue by opening steam overlay

How reliably can you recreate this issue using your steps above?

Always

Which version of GameMaker are you reporting this issue for?

2023.8.2 (Monthly)

Which platform(s) are you seeing the problem on?

Windows

Contact Us Package Attached?

• I have attached my Contact Us Package

Sample Project Added?

• I have included a small sample project

[gnysek]

The game has to use the Proton Experimental compatibility option to work of course.

Have you tried Ubuntu export? For me it seems to work more smooth than Windows build, as it's more native for Steam Deck. It requires VM or Ubuntu to build, but is not that hard after first setup. It doesn't need Proton Experimental in that case.

[AweJosh]

Hi, thankyou for this. I have not tried it, but i will now. When the game is published to steam itself, it will be running the windows build though correct? If so, we will have the same issue. Does that mean we need to support an Ubuntu build alongside? Thanks for your help.

[gnysek]

Sadly I didn't yet published any game on Steam, so I'm not sure if you can choose/force .AppImage to run on Deck. But I can confirm that .AppImage works without problems, I've already tested at least 10 projects this way.

Edit: after asking friend, seems you can set separate depo for Deck.
Also, according to this manual entry: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/steamdeck/compat?ref=dtf.ru

On Deck, games without native Linux builds will be run through Proton

So having Linux build means it would be used on Deck. It's up to you if you want to maintenance it.

[AweJosh]

Hi just an update with this. I've not tried Ubuntu export yet. However i did try dualbooting windows on my steamdeck and running the game, and this issue is non-existant. I am 99% sure this is Gamemaker Proton related. I also wouldnt want to support an Ubuntu build with the game just to make sure this bug doesn't occur.