Valve’s Linux-based operating system, SteamOS, which has been in development for years, gained attention at CES 2024 when it was used for the first time on a third-party device. Lenovo’s new portable gaming device, the Legion Go S, was introduced with the label “Powered by SteamOS2,” marking an important step for Valve’s open-source operating system beyond the SteamDeck. So, is Valve considering SteamOS as a competitor to Microsoft Windows? Here are the details!
What is SteamOS aiming for?
Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais spoke to the French news site Frandroid about the development of SteamOS. Griffais stated that their focus is currently on compatibility, saying, “We are building a widely applicable infrastructure for the PC platform. Ensuring compatibility with different platforms, chipsets, and controllers is our priority.”
Valve has four developers working on Nvidia’s open-source driver, and Griffais admits that this work is still at a very basic level. He highlighted the advantages of the open-source model, saying, “Many components are being developed by the community in a shared codebase. This is quite a unique model.”
Nintendo, known for its strict stance on emulators for years, seems to have softened after the Switch 2 announcement.
Despite Valve CEO Gabe Newell previously calling Windows 8 a “disaster for the PC ecosystem,” it is emphasized that SteamOS has no intention of gaining market share or surpassing Windows.
SteamOS has been in development for over 12 years and is a unique project funded by Valve as a private company but offered as open-source and free for everyone. Griffais expressed his satisfaction with the project’s current success, saying, “I’m happy that we are able to contribute to the PC ecosystem this way,” but clarified that the company does not aim to position itself against Microsoft.
Do you think SteamOS could be a real alternative to Windows? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!
