The Games Pages · Story 2
A few weeks ago I came across this comic from 2021 when the Steam Deck came out.
A 2021 comic resurfaced on r/Steam, garnering over 28,000 upvotes and 1,300 comments. The comic appears to humorously depict fan reactions to the Steam Deck's release and broader platform loyalties. The discussion reflects a community largely critical of console warring and fanboyism.
The overwhelming response to a years-old comic shows how persistently the debate around platform tribalism resonates with PC gamers. It highlights a long-running cultural tension between celebrating hardware choice and rejecting the hostility that often accompanies brand loyalty.
Key details
- The post is a comic from 2021, originally published around the time the Steam Deck launched.
- It was shared on the r/Steam subreddit and received a score of 28,284.
- More than 1,300 comments were generated on the post.
- Valve's broader strategy is described by one top commenter as wanting PC to be a viable, simple option everywhere. They do not need to dominate segments, only to avoid losing money by failing to offer the option.
Discussion angles
- Fanboys are weird. The highest-voted comment dismisses intense brand loyalty as irrational.
- This whole sub lol. A top comment suggests the subreddit itself frequently engages in the behavior the comic critiques.
- Console wars and tribalism are so fucking cringe oh my God. Commenters express strong disdain for the hostility and partisanship of platform wars.
- Valve wants PC to be a viable, simple option everywhere. One user argues that the Steam Deck is part of a deliberate strategy to ensure PC gaming remains accessible in all form factors, not to dominate markets.
Top comments
The community reaction is overwhelmingly negative toward console wars and fanboyism. The top comments mock the tribalism depicted in the comic, with some users pointing out that the subreddit itself is guilty of the same behavior. One detailed comment frames the Steam Deck as part of Valve's strategy to keep PC a simple, viable option across different gaming environments.