Official technical note
Demo Settings and Performance Checks
The official July 10 technical update describes an optional public-testing branch for the demo. Use this page to apply those settings deliberately and to keep a graphics problem separate from a puzzle problem.
§Opt into the public-testing branch#
These are the steps stated in the official technical update. Steam's labels can change, so check the client text you see.
- Open Steam Library and locate Order of the Sinking Star Demo.
- Right-click the demo and open Properties.
- Open Game Versions & Betas.
- Choose public-testing. The announcement says no password is required.
- After Steam applies the branch, record the branch name, date, graphics preset, and hardware before testing a puzzle or reporting a bug.
§What each technical option is for#
| Player problem | Official option or update | Limit to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Low frame rate or battery pressure | Very Performance graphics setting and broader optimizations | The post describes improved performance, not a universal frame-rate guarantee |
| Steam Deck tuning | The update targets 60fps on most levels on Steam Deck | Most levels is the published scope; individual scenes can differ |
| Frame pacing or visual shimmer | Vsync, frame-rate cap, and antialiasing mode in Graphics | Change one control at a time so a comparison remains meaningful |
| Dialogue competing with puzzle focus | Separate music, sound-effects, and character-voice volumes | Audio controls do not establish that story content can be skipped |
| Localization check | Text language can be switched dynamically from the menu | The demo store page still lists localization as work in progress |
| Older GPU or low-RAM system | Increased compatibility for older GPUs and systems with less RAM | The update explicitly says shader model 6.5 support is still unavailable |
§A safe troubleshooting order#
This sequence is editorial guidance built around reproducibility. Only the option names and beta-branch path above are official technical facts.
- Write down the branch, operating system, GPU, input method, language, and current preset.
- Change one setting, then replay the same short scene or board.
- If the problem changes, keep the before-and-after values instead of changing several controls at once.
- If the problem does not change, return to the prior setting and test the next single variable.
- When asking for help, attach the exact symptom and the last known good branch or preset. Do not call a performance issue a puzzle rule.
§What this update does not prove#
The beta note does not guarantee a fixed frame rate on every device, confirm future console settings, or establish that the public-testing branch matches the launch build. It also does not change the Steam-only scope of the demo progress carryover statement.
If the demo still fails after a controlled comparison, keep the settings record and move the question to a technical support channel. This guide should not turn a hardware symptom into a claimed puzzle mechanic.
§Copy this support note#
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Branch | Default or public-testing |
| Device | Steam Deck, desktop GPU, or other hardware |
| Settings | Preset, Vsync, frame cap, antialiasing, language, and audio changes |
| Reproduction | The same room or short scene and the steps that trigger the issue |
| Result | What changed, what stayed the same, and whether the issue affects puzzle input or only presentation |
§FAQ#
Is public-testing required to play the demo?
No. It is an optional beta branch described in the official July 10 technical update. Keep the default branch if you are trying to reproduce a guide or a friend's result.
Does Very Performance guarantee 60fps?
No. The update describes faster frame rates and 60fps on most levels on Steam Deck. Treat that as the published scope, not a guarantee for every device or scene.
Can I use these settings on Switch 2 or PlayStation 5?
The cited technical note is for the Steam demo beta branch. It does not provide console menu instructions.
§Related pages#
Hub
Start Here: Demo Access and First Checks
A practical starting point for the Order of the Sinking Star demo, with access checks, a puzzle-log template, progress troubleshooting, and a spoiler-safe first-session routine.
Route
Release Date and Platforms
The current official release record for Order of the Sinking Star, plus platform-specific planning notes and the limits of the Steam demo carryover statement.
Hub
Puzzle Help with Spoiler Control
A spoiler-aware help desk for Order of the Sinking Star, with request templates, a nudge-to-solution ladder, and a transparent queue for puzzle records awaiting verification.