Good news for Dragon Age fans: thanks to the latest Proton Experimental update, Inquisition now runs smoothly on the Steam Deck without any extra configuration. This is a big deal for those who thought older AAA titles were out of reach on Valve’s handheld.
What’s New in Proton Experimental
The update brings native improvements for DirectX 9 and 10 games, which means titles like Dragon Age Inquisition benefit from better performance and compatibility. Previously, players had to tweak settings or switch to older Proton versions to get the game running. Now, it’s a plug-and-play experience.
Reddit user u/NoTruceWithTheFury confirmed the change on the Steam Deck subreddit, stating that the game “just works now” with no extra tinkering needed. That’s a win for Deck users who want to relive BioWare’s RPG epic on the go.

How to Enable Proton Experimental
If you haven’t already, switch to Proton Experimental to take advantage of this update. Here’s how:
- Open Steam on your Deck and go to Settings.
- Navigate to Steam Play.
- Check the box for Enable Steam Play for all other titles.
- Select Proton Experimental from the dropdown menu.
- Restart Steam.
What This Means for Other Games
The improvements in Proton Experimental aren’t limited to Dragon Age Inquisition. Reddit comments suggest that other older titles like Space Marine 2 also benefit from smoother performance. This update reinforces Valve’s commitment to improving compatibility across the board, not just for new releases.
It’s worth noting that while the game runs smoothly, some users reported issues with gamepad support and texture loading times. If you encounter any problems, check the Steam Deck subreddit for community fixes and tips.
Final Thoughts
This update is more than just a patch — it’s a sign that Proton is getting better at handling older, more complex titles. If you’ve got Dragon Age Inquisition in your library, now’s the perfect time to give it a try on your Steam Deck. You might be surprised at how well it runs out of the box.
Want to Improve Your Deck’s Compatibility?
Check out our guide on how to set up and use Steam Play for maximum compatibility. You’ll learn how to tweak settings and get even more games running smoothly on your Deck.