Fix: Assassin’s Creed (AC) Syndicate Not Working on Steam Deck

Assassin’s Creed (AC) Syndicate is a popular entry in Ubisoft’s long-running Assassin’s Creed franchise, offering players an immersive open-world experience set in Victorian-era London. However, for gamers attempting to enjoy this classic on the Steam Deck, challenges may arise. Compatibility issues, graphical glitches, or performance lags often leave players frustrated. This article provides a comprehensive guide to fixing Assassin’s Creed Syndicate when it’s not working properly on the Steam Deck, enabling you to dive back into your epic adventure.

Understanding the Issue

While the Steam Deck boasts impressive compatibility with PC games, it isn’t immune to certain software challenges. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, unfortunately, falls into a category of games that may not be perfectly optimized for the platform. Common issues include:

• Game not launching: The game refuses to start, returning users to the Steam OS interface.
• Graphical glitches: Textures flicker, rendering the game visually unplayable.
• Controller mapping problems: The controls may not fully respond or behave inconsistently.
• Suboptimal performance: Frame rate drops or crashes during gameplay.

Fortunately, through adjustments and troubleshooting, these problems can often be resolved or minimized.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Before diving into potential fixes, ensure that your Steam Deck software is up to date and that you have a stable internet connection. Follow these steps to address common issues:

1. Switch Proton Compatibility

Proton, a compatibility tool developed by Valve, allows Windows games to run on the Linux-based Steam Deck. Switching to a different Proton version can help resolve compatibility issues.

1. Open your Steam Library and locate Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
2. Click the gear icon (⚙️) and select Properties.
3. Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box that says Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool.
4. Select a different Proton version from the dropdown menu (e.g., Proton 7.0 or Proton Experimental).
5. Relaunch the game to see if the issue is resolved.

2. Adjust Graphics Settings

Steam Deck’s hardware, while capable, can sometimes struggle to run demanding PC games at high settings. Lower the graphics settings to improve stability and performance:

1. Launch Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and navigate to Settings > Graphics.
2. Reduce the resolution to match the Steam Deck’s native resolution (1280×800).
3. Set texture quality, shadow quality, and anti-aliasing to medium or low.
4. Disable advanced features like motion blur, ambient occlusion, or depth of field.

Restart the game after adjusting the settings and observe if the performance improves.

3. Verify Game Files

Corrupted or missing game files can prevent Assassin’s Creed Syndicate from running correctly. Verifying the game’s files ensures that all necessary components are intact:

1. Go to your Steam Library and right-click on Assassin’s Creed Syndicate.
2. Choose Properties and navigate to the Local Files tab.
3. Select Verify Integrity of Game Files.

Steam will check and repair any damaged files. Once the process is complete, try launching the game again.

4. Update GPU Drivers

Outdated GPU drivers can cause graphical anomalies and crashes. Keeping your Steam Deck drivers up to date may resolve such issues:

1. Press the Steam button on the Steam Deck and go to Settings > System.
2. Select Check for Updates and apply any pending updates.

Updated drivers ensure better compatibility and overall performance for modern games.

Additional Tips

If the fixes above don’t work, consider these additional troubleshooting steps:

• Disable in-game overlays: Both Steam and Ubisoft Connect overlays can cause conflicts. Disable them by going to their respective settings.
• Reinstall the game: If all else fails, uninstall and reinstall Assassin’s Creed Syndicate on your Steam Deck.
• Consult the community: The Steam and Steam Deck forums are excellent resources for finding user-submitted solutions.

Conclusion

While it can be frustrating to encounter issues with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate on the Steam Deck, most problems can be resolved with the right troubleshooting steps. By switching Proton versions, adjusting graphics settings, verifying game files, and keeping your system updated, you can greatly improve the game’s performance and stability. Be patient and persistent, and soon enough, you’ll be free to explore Victorian London once more.

If you’re still experiencing trouble or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to Ubisoft Support or Valve’s Steam Support for additional help.