Valve’s commitment to expanding the reach of its Linux-based SteamOS is taking a significant step forward. The company has confirmed that it will extend official support to rival handheld gaming devices, beginning with Asus’ ROG Ally.
As gaming on the go becomes increasingly popular, this could greatly advance progress in handheld gaming. This could make SteamOS a viable option for a wider audience of gamers who prefer portability without sacrificing the rich experience of PC gaming.
SteamOS is Finally Coming to the Asus’ Handheld
The journey to this point has been a long one. Valve initially envisioned a future where any PC manufacturer could make a machine with the company’s operating system. This was a concept that aimed to bring PC gaming to the living room via SteamOS. This laid the groundwork for the development of the company’s very own Steam Deck.
Comment
byu/NonStandardUser from discussion
inlinux_gaming
The company is revisiting that original concept, but this time with a focus on expanding support for competing handhelds. The decision to support Asus’ handheld was hinted at when a recent software update included a curious mention of added support for Asus’ handheld.
And according to the company’s designer, Lawrence Yang, who spoke to The Verge, the company is actively working on integrating support for the Asus handheld and other handhelds. Yang mentioned that it is still not ready to run out of the box on these rival devices, though progress is being made steadily.
Comment
byu/IcePopsicleDragon from discussion
inpcgaming
Asus, for its part, has been shipping its handheld with Windows. However, the prospect of running an alternative operating system on the device presents an intriguing alternative for users who prefer the streamlined, gaming-focused experience that it offers.
This Could Be a Big Step in Valve’s Efforts For SteamOS
One of the key challenges in this endeavour is ensuring that the OS can adapt to hardware not originally designed for it. The Asus handheld, for example, benefits from features like a variable refresh rate and specific performance optimizations under Windows. Replicating or even surpassing that performance under it will be critical for the company.
Comment
byu/IcePopsicleDragon from discussion
inpcgaming
Bringing it to other handhelds doesn’t just offer an alternative operating system; it also ensures that the experience is consistent across different devices. This consistency is important for maintaining the brand image that has been set with the company’s handheld device.
Moreover, it aligns with the company’s long-term goal of promoting gaming on Linux. Linus is a platform that has historically lagged behind Windows in terms of game support but has seen significant improvements in recent years.
Other Linux-based systems like Universal Blue’s Bazzite have already achieved some level of compatibility with devices like Asus’ handheld, providing a similar experience.
What do you think of this development? Are you looking forward to adding a new OS to your Asus handheld? Let us know in the comments!
