In recent weeks, Valve has announced a major expansion of its game compatibility rating system, aiming to support the growth of SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck. The well-known Deck Verified system, previously exclusive to Valve hardware, is being expanded under the name SteamOS Compatibility (SteamOS support) and will come to all devices using SteamOS, such as the imminent Lenovo Legion Go S.
This move is in response to the expected arrival of new portable devices with SteamOS pre-installed and the future possibility of installing Valve's operating system on virtually any compatible PC, laptop, or handheld console. The goal is to provide clear and quick information on whether a game will work on these devices or not., thus facilitating purchasing and gaming decisions for users.
New system, same philosophy: simple and direct information
The SteamOS Compatibility system uses data obtained through the Deck Verified process as a reference, but simplifies the results. Instead of traditional categories, the new classification Indicates only whether a game is Compatible or Not Compatible with SteamOSThis assessment will be performed automatically for all games that already have Deck Verified, Valve explained, and future titles will be assessed simultaneously for both platforms.
One of the highlights is that Valve estimates that more than 18.000 games will be marked as compatible with SteamOS from the start.These numbers are not surprising considering that Deck Verified had already surpassed that number of Verified and Playable games months ago.
Compatibility criteria include that both the game and its components (middleware, launchers, and anti-cheat systems, for example) run correctly on SteamOS, using Proton or native Linux versions. However, The assessment does not review aspects such as performance or control experience, as these can vary substantially depending on the specific hardware used by the user.
Where can I see the new SteamOS compatibility seal?
Valve has announced that the SteamOS compatibility badge will only appear on SteamOS devices other than the Steam Deck, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S or future projects. This information will be displayed alongside the Deck Verified status, allowing you to see at a glance whether a title can run successfully on both the Deck itself and other SteamOS devices.
Additionally, Valve confirms that If a game is compatible with Steam Deck, it will always have an equal or higher rating in SteamOS CompatibilityThis prevents the unlikely situation where a game runs on the Deck but not on other SteamOS devices.
An automated and transparent process for developers and players
Video game developers will not have to make any additional changes or adaptations. to benefit from this system. Labels will be assigned automatically based on the results obtained from Deck Verified tests, thus accelerating coverage of an ever-growing catalog.
In terms of user experience, SteamOS Compatibility rating will be integrated into the Steam store and interface over the next few weeks, allowing those using SteamOS laptops or PCs to know the status of each title before playing or purchasing.
Limitations and realistic expectations with SteamOS and its compatibility
While the initiative expands accessibility and transparency, Valve notes that This system does not guarantee optimal performance in all cases. Just because a game is marked as SteamOS compatible means it will run correctly on a technical level, but the actual experience may depend on factors such as hardware specifications or the control methods used. Therefore, Checking the minimum and recommended requirements for each title will continue to be useful..
It is notable that The public release of v3.6.5 of Valve's gaming system will allow installation on a wide variety of devices beyond those previously certified, marking the beginning of a new era for the Valve ecosystem, in which anyone can experience its offering on their own hardware.
The arrival of SteamOS Compatibility represents a logical step toward facilitating the migration of the Steam catalog to new Linux handheld devices, while the community continues to await future improvements to both the operating system and the verification process.
