For over a decade, Valve has quietly pursued an ambitious vision: to create a gaming ecosystem that renders Windows optional, even irrelevant. This plan, quietly funded and meticulously developed, culminates in the Linux-based SteamOS, a platform designed to run Windows games seamlessly on diverse hardware, including ARM processors typically found in phones. What seemed like a niche project has now blossomed into a serious challenge to Microsoft’s long-standing dominance in PC gaming.
From Steam Machines to Steam Deck: A Journey of Persistence
Valve’s initial attempt to break free from Windows was through Steam Machines and SteamOS back in 2013-2015. These Linux-powered gaming devices, however, did not support Windows games natively and required developers to port titles to Linux—an effort developers were largely unwilling to invest in. The resulting limited game library and high costs led to commercial failure.
Learning from this, Valve pivoted strategy. Instead of asking developers to recompile or port games, Valve engineered solutions to run existing Windows games on Linux without modification. This insight gave birth to Proton, a compatibility layer that tricks Windows games into running flawlessly on Linux by translating Windows application programming interface (API) calls into Linux-compatible commands. The Steam Deck’s success owes much to Proton’s ability to bring a vast Windows-exclusive game library to Linux hardware smoothly.
Technical Breakthrough: FEX and ARM Processor Compatibility
Valve’s innovation doesn’t stop at compatibility with x86 processors from Intel and AMD. Now, they have tackled running Windows games on ARM-based processors—the type found in smartphones and some new gaming devices. Central to this is FEX, an open-source translator initially funded by Valve beginning in 2018. FEX converts instructions meant for traditional x86 chips into instructions understood by ARM processors, allowing complex Windows games to run on ARM devices like the Steam Frame and even Android phones.
This technology is groundbreaking, as it enables running high-performance Windows games on hardware previously considered incompatible, demonstrated by unofficial apps running games like “The Witcher 3” and “Stray” on ARM-powered Android devices. While still rough around the edges, this is a crucial step toward Valve’s vision of hardware-agnostic gaming.
Building an Open Ecosystem with a Vast Developer Network
Behind the scenes, Valve has been investing in a large network of over 100 open-source developers worldwide dedicated to various pieces of this puzzle. These developers work on graphics drivers, CPU emulation, DirectX translation layers like DXVK and VKD3D (which convert Microsoft’s DirectX calls into Vulkan API calls compatible with Linux), and more. Since their efforts are open source, the Linux gaming community actively tests, reports bugs, and contributes patches, accelerating development and quality assurance.
This approach creates a virtuous cycle where Valve controls the standards and platforms without locking gamers into a proprietary ecosystem. The result is a growing platform with consistent updates and seamless user experience rivaling and sometimes surpassing Windows, especially on handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck.
Why Valve’s Strategy Matters in the Gaming Industry
Valve’s push to replace Windows gaming is not merely a technical challenge but a strategic response to market threats. Back in 2012, Windows 8’s introduction of the Windows Store and Universal Windows Platform posed a risk of a closed, locked-down environment that could marginalize platforms like Steam.
Rather than reacting passively, Valve invested years developing tools that freed games from Windows dependencies, establishing SteamOS and Proton as viable alternatives. Today, SteamOS not only provides reliable game suspension, seamless updates, and a console-like experience on handheld devices but also stands as a growing option for desktop gamers seeking freedom from Windows’ constraints.
Meanwhile, Microsoft acknowledges the competition and is actively working to improve Windows’ gaming performance on ARM and handheld devices, signaling a healthy rivalry that could benefit gamers universally.
Looking Ahead: SteamOS, ARM, and the Future of Gaming
Valve’s work with ARM processors and compatibility layers hints at exciting future possibilities: ARM-powered Steam Decks with improved battery life and form factors, broader adoption of SteamOS on third-party devices, and perhaps even a Steam Phone running the full Steam library.
While Microsoft’s vast resources and legacy ecosystem remain formidable, Valve’s nimble, focused, and community-driven approach offers a unique alternative that prioritizes gamers and developers. The gaming world stands at an inflection point where Windows may no longer be the unquestioned king of PC gaming platforms.
In this unfolding story of innovation, persistence, and strategic foresight, Valve is not just creating an OS—it’s building the future landscape of PC gaming.
