Valve Is Bringing SteamOS Support To Rival Handhelds

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can hardly contain my excitement at Valve’s decision to expand SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck. This move is a game-changer for handheld gaming enthusiasts like myself who have been yearning for more flexibility and choice in our portable gaming devices.

SteamOS, Valve’s operating system, is now expected to operate on competing handheld devices, following hints from recent update notes suggesting compatibility with ROG Ally keys. This has led many to speculate whether this means SteamOS will be available for devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally and other handhelds like the Lenovo Legion GO.

According to Valve itself, that’s exactly what’s happening.

According to what Lawrence Yang shared with The Verge, the Valve team is actively developing solutions to ensure comprehensive compatibility with various other devices.

Yang explained that the information regarding the ROG Ally keys is connected to third-party device compatibility with SteamOS. He also mentioned that the team is actively working to expand the list of compatible handheld devices within SteamOS.

In terms of functionality, it remains unclear since it’s improbable for other non-Steam Deck handheld devices to have the operating system preloaded. However, should future support be available, this setup would enable users to effortlessly install SteamOS, ensuring their device continues to operate smoothly despite potential layout differences.

There isn’t a set date for when the full functionality will be accessible. As reported by Yang on The Verge, it still requires some work before it can be used straight away.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam.