Valve’s vision for the gaming industry was bold and ambitious. They imagined a world where every PC maker could create their own version of a “Steam Machine” – a PC game console running on Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS. However, it took a decade for this dream to materialize into the form of the Steam Deck gaming handheld. Despite this evolution, the original dream of allowing other companies to use SteamOS has not been abandoned.
Recently, Valve designer Lawrence Yang confirmed to The Verge that Valve plans to support the Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld and other rival devices. This announcement came as a surprise to many, especially after spotting the line in Valve’s SteamOS release notes referring to “extra ROG Ally keys.” It’s clear that Valve is making strides towards expanding its support for third-party devices on SteamOS.
While Valve is working diligently on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS, there are still hurdles to overcome. For instance, Asus has cited various reasons why they ship their devices with Windows, with one major factor being Microsoft’s dedicated validation teams ensuring seamless compatibility across different hardware configurations. As for Valve’s promise to enable dual-booting on Steam Decks to switch between SteamOS and Windows, there are still pending updates on the timing for this feature.
Valve isn’t the only player in the race to adapt Linux and controller-friendly interfaces to Windows handhelds. Universal Blue has already achieved support for the Asus ROG Ally X before its official release, showcasing the competitiveness and innovation in the gaming industry.
Valve’s journey from the concept of Steam Machines to the development of the Steam Deck gaming handheld has been both challenging and rewarding. The company’s dedication to supporting third-party devices and expanding the reach of SteamOS demonstrates their commitment to innovation and collaboration in the gaming industry. Despite facing obstacles and competition, Valve remains determined to push the boundaries of gaming technology and provide users with cutting-edge gaming experiences.
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