Valve Signals Potential SteamOS Expansion to Rival Handheld Gaming PCs

Valve’s SteamOS, the operating system that gives the Steam Deck its unique console-like experience within a Linux environment, could soon be making its way to other handheld gaming devices. Recent updates to the Steam Deck’s firmware have hinted at Valve’s intention to expand SteamOS compatibility to third-party hardware, potentially reshaping the handheld gaming landscape.

In the latest Steam Deck firmware update, version 3.6.9 beta, a mention of support for “extra ROG Ally keys” has sparked speculation that Valve is preparing to release SteamOS for devices beyond its own handheld. The ROG Ally, a handheld gaming PC from Asus, is currently one of several devices in the market that relies on Windows as its operating system.

This development aligns with Valve’s earlier statements about their plans to make SteamOS available on a wider range of systems. According to Valve, releasing SteamOS for other handhelds and PCs that utilize gamepads is a high priority. Such a move could offer an alternative to Windows, which, while versatile, can feel unwieldy on devices designed primarily for gaming.

Valve has faced challenges in this endeavor, particularly with driver optimization, a critical factor in ensuring games run smoothly on varying hardware. Lawrence Yang from Valve noted that the focus on the Steam Deck OLED has delayed some of these efforts. However, the potential release of SteamOS to third-party manufacturers like Asus could significantly broaden its adoption.

While enthusiasts have developed unofficial SteamOS variants like Bazzite and HoloISO for various hardware, these versions are complex to install and lack support for Nvidia GPUs. A general distribution of SteamOS, particularly if pre-installed by OEMs, could simplify the process and enhance the user experience for gamers on handheld PCs.

As the handheld gaming market grows, Valve’s possible expansion of SteamOS could offer a streamlined, game-focused alternative to Windows, enhancing the appeal of these devices.