Valve introduces new game rating system for non-Steam Deck devices

Valve is taking steps to expand its Steam Deck Verified program as its SteamOS platform begins appearing on hardware from other manufacturers. They've launched a new SteamOS compatibility system, specifically designed for “any device running SteamOS that is not a Steam Deck”. This move comes just as SteamOS-powered devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S are set to debut this month, marking Valve's readiness for its OS to move beyond its own hardware.

The SteamOS Compatibility rating system is designed to quickly inform users whether a game is supported (or not) by SteamOS on their non-Deck device. Valve says this includes checking features like core game functionality, launcher integration, and anti-cheat support. Games that pass these standards will be marked as SteamOS Compatible, while those that do not will be labelled as SteamOS Unsupported. Importantly, this rating does not assess performance, acknowledging that how well a game runs will vary significantly between devices running SteamOS.

Similar to the green checkmark for Steam Deck Verified, a new blue checkmark will display a successful SteamOS Compatibility rating. Valve initially intends to apply this rating to over 18,000 Steam games. Users already running the SteamOS beta on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S or Asus ROG Ally should see the updated compatibility ratings in the coming weeks.

For developers, the process for generating SteamOS Compatibility ratings is automated, with Valve using current Steam Deck ratings as the basis. Valve stated in their FAQ that “SteamOS Compatibility results will all be the same or higher than Steam Deck Verified results,” implying that if a game works on a Steam Deck, it should also work on other devices running SteamOS.

KitGuru says: Even if it doesn't ensure the game will run fine on a system, one should note that most upcoming SteamOS handhelds are at least as good as the Steam Deck. So, if it runs well on the Deck, it should run equally or better on other handhelds with SteamOS.

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