John Nowacky
Valve’s ambitious plan to have every PC manufacturer produce their own “Steam Machine” may have taken a decade to materialize with the Steam Deck gaming handheld, but the company’s initial idea hasn’t been forgotten. Valve intends to expand the reach of its Linux-based SteamOS to support other companies’ devices, including the Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld.
Valve designer, Lawrence Yang, confirmed to The Verge that the recent addition of support for extra ROG Ally keys in Valve’s SteamOS release notes is a significant step towards broader third-party device support. Yang acknowledged that the team is actively working on incorporating support for additional handhelds on SteamOS. However, this does not mean that Asus will officially endorse Valve’s installer or sell the Ally with SteamOS. Asus has cited various reasons for shipping the Ally with Windows, including the dedicated validation teams at Microsoft that ensure compatibility across different hardware configurations and processors.
Although Valve is making steady progress, Yang explained that SteamOS is not yet ready to be deployed on rival handhelds. Similarly, the general release of SteamOS 3 for non-handheld PCs is still in development but not finalized.
Valve has also pledged to offer dual-boot functionality, enabling Steam Decks to switch between SteamOS and Windows seamlessly. However, there is no specific update on when this feature will be available, as it remains a priority but has not yet been implemented.
Valve is not the only company adapting its Linux-based operating system and controller-friendly Steam UI for Windows handhelds. Universal Blue has already achieved support for the Asus ROG Ally X before its release with its Bazzite operating system.
Valve’s commitment to expanding the reach of SteamOS to rival handheld devices demonstrates a willingness to collaborate and provide an alternative gaming experience beyond their own hardware. As the development progresses, it will be interesting to see how SteamOS evolves and whether more manufacturers embrace the platform.
Valve’s SteamOS is expanding its support to rival handheld devices, such as the Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld. This move signifies Valve’s commitment to collaborating with other companies and providing alternative gaming experiences beyond their own hardware.
Valve designer, Lawrence Yang, has confirmed that the recent addition of support for extra ROG Ally keys in Valve’s SteamOS release notes is a significant step towards broader third-party device support. The team is actively working on incorporating support for additional handhelds on SteamOS, although it is not yet ready to be deployed on rival handhelds. The general release of SteamOS 3 for non-handheld PCs is also still in development.
Asus has stated that it will not endorse Valve’s installer or sell the Ally with SteamOS, citing reasons such as compatibility testing by Microsoft for different hardware configurations. However, Valve’s commitment to dual-boot functionality, allowing Steam Decks to switch between SteamOS and Windows seamlessly, demonstrates their aim to offer flexibility to users.
Valve is not the only company adapting its Linux-based operating system and controller-friendly Steam UI for Windows handhelds. Universal Blue has already achieved support for the Asus ROG Ally X with its Bazzite operating system.
Key questions:
1. What is Valve’s plan to expand SteamOS support to rival handhelds?
2. Is SteamOS compatible with the Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld?
3. When will dual-boot functionality be available for Steam Decks?
Key challenges/controversies:
1. Getting official endorsements and partnerships from manufacturers like Asus.
2. Addressing compatibility issues and ensuring a smooth user experience across different hardware configurations.
Advantages of Valve expanding support to rival handhelds:
1. Provides users with a wider range of gaming options and experiences.
2. Encourages collaboration and competition among hardware manufacturers, leading to innovation.
Disadvantages of Valve expanding support to rival handhelds:
1. Potential fragmentation of the gaming ecosystem due to different hardware configurations and operating systems.
2. Increased complexity and potential compatibility issues for developers.
[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/) – The Verge provides news and analysis on technology, including articles related to Valve and SteamOS.
[Asus ROG](https://rog.asus.com/) – The official website of Asus ROG (Republic of Gamers) provides information about their gaming products, including the ROG Ally gaming handheld.
