David Bridges
This week, Steam announced an exciting new feature that will introduce a compatibility rating system to help users identify which games are supported on their operating system. The upcoming SteamOS Compatibility assessment is expected to launch “in the next few weeks,” aiming to enhance user experience and game discoverability.
This new metric builds on the existing Steam Deck Verified program, which will now include a checkmark for games based on a specific data subset derived from that vetting process. What this means for game developers is that they will not need to undertake any additional steps if their titles are already verified under the Steam Deck system. For players, compatible games will feature a blue checkmark when viewed in both the Steam Store and Steam Client, even when accessed on devices other than the Steam Deck.
This announcement serves primarily as a proactive measure for the future. Currently, the Steam Deck is the only handheld device officially running Valve’s operating system, but there are indications that the market is set to expand. For instance, Lenovo has already showcased a second generation of its hardware at CES this year, signaling that Valve has ambitious plans to broaden the range of SteamOS platforms. As the landscape evolves, the potential for SteamOS to emerge as a significant standalone service could dramatically change the gaming ecosystem.
Daniel Mercer
