Yes, You Can Definitely Play GTA V Offline on the Steam Deck
I‘m thrilled to report that after extensively testing Rockstar‘s acclaimed open world action game on Valve‘s new handheld, Grand Theft Auto V not only runs on the Steam Deck, but runs remarkably well in offline mode. Read on for performance details, recommended settings, storage requirements, battery life impressions and more.
Forcing GTA V Into Offline Mode is Simple
Getting GTA V to launch in offline mode without trying to connect to Rockstar‘s online services is easy thanks to the Steam Deck‘s full control over game launch options.
Here are the quick steps:
- Install GTA V from the Steam Store
- Right click GTA V in your Library and go to Properties
- Click "Set Launch Options"
- Enter
-scOfflineOnly - Launch the game!
This triggers the -scOfflineOnly command line parameter which skips initialization of GTA Online and Social Club. The game boots straight into offline Story Mode.
The Steam Deck Has More Than Enough Horsepower
Diving into the hardware specs, Valve‘s custom Steam Deck APU combines Zen 2 CPU cores with RDNA 2 GPU cores (very similar to the chips inside the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X).
Steam Deck Hardware
| Component | Spec |
|---|---|
| CPU | Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz |
| GPU | 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.0-1.6GHz |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 @ 5500 MT/s |
| Storage | 64GB eMMC (slow) / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB NVMe SSD |
Benchmarks from outlets like The Verge show that the Steam Deck puts up impressive numbers despite the lower power draw suitable for handheld gaming:
In our gaming tests, the Steam Deck handled recent releases like Control and Shadow of the Tomb Raider between 30 and 60 frames per second (fps) at medium settings.
Considering GTA V originally launched in 2013, the game runs wonderfully on the Deck. Digital Foundry specifically analyzed GTA V on the Steam Deck, reporting:
We‘re getting very, very good performance here. The frame rate is solid in the 40 to 50fps region – that‘s a locked 40fps, by the way… much smoother than base last-gen consoles.
So while the Steam Deck can‘t match a $2000 gaming PC, it has way more than enough power to deliver a great portable Grand Theft Auto experience.
Storage Requirements – Plan Ahead!
GTA V‘s storage footprint is substantial at 72GB, higher than most Switch and mobile games. I strongly recommend picking up a large microSD card if you plan to play on the entry-level 64GB Steam Deck model.
Here‘s how GTA V‘s install size compares across platforms:
| Platform | Install Size |
|---|---|
| Steam Deck (PC) | 72GB |
| PlayStation 5 | 110GB |
| Xbox Series X | 127GB |
PC gaming is notorious for massive installs thanks to higher resolution textures and effects. Thankfully Valve made storage expansion easy with the Steam Deck‘s microSD slot which supports cards up to 2TB.
I would suggest at least a 256GB card, or 512GB+ if you want your whole Steam library on the go. A 1TB card holds 14+ copies of GTA V!
Optimizing Graphics Settings For 60 FPS
The Steam Deck‘s 1280×800 resolution helps push higher framrates than 1080p. By tweaking GTA V‘s graphics options you can hit a smooth 60fps needed for fast driving and action:
GTA V Graphics Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 1280×800 (Display Native) |
| VSync | Off |
| Population Density | 80% |
| Population Variety | 80% |
| Distance Scaling | 90% |
| Texture Quality | High |
| Shader Quality | High |
| Shadow Quality | High |
| Reflection Quality | High |
| The rest | Normal – High |
I prefer prioritizing resolution, draw distance and texture quality over intensive post-processing options. This gives me a sharp native image with good performance.
Battery Life – Managing Expectations
How long can you expect to wander the streets of Los Santos on the Steam Deck‘s 40Wh internal battery? Mileage will vary greatly depending on settings and gameplay.
Valve claims a huge 2 – 8 hour battery span. However based on my testing, actual intensive 3D games fall closer to the 2 – 3 hour mark.
The Verge and IGN both got less than 2.5 hours in games like Control and God of War. Turning down the OS refresh rate and capping in-game FPS can help extend play sessions. Ultimately it comes down what graphics settings provide an experience you‘re happy with.
I recommend keeping a USB-C charger handy since rapid charging fully juicies up the battery in about 2 to 2.5 hours once depleted.
Closing Thoughts for Portable GTA V Fans
I‘ve spent over a decade playing Grand Theft Auto V across 3 console generations and multiple PCs. I‘m extremely impressed with how well Rockstar‘s open world masterpiece has translated to a handheld form factor on the Steam Deck.
No other portable gaming device can deliver this level of visual fidelity and seamless open world streaming. The Deck‘s optimized AMD hardware and control options make running the game smoothly in offline mode simple.
Storage requirements are steep, but the native 1280×800 screen and graphics tweaking provide a great experience that feels natural on a 7-inch display. Battery life remains the only limitation. But as a huge GTA fan for life, I‘m thrilled to enjoy sprawling single player story action wherever I go thanks to this handheld powerhouse.
So in summary – yes Steam Deck owners, you absolutely CAN enjoy GTA V in offline mode on your new portable wonder!
