Key Takeaways
1. The Steam Deck Verified program now includes two categories for SteamOS compatibility: games that work well and games that are not supported.
2. This update applies to all hardware running SteamOS, not just the Steam Deck, with over 18,000 games marked as compatible.
3. Compatibility verification will be automated, using data from the Deck Verified program, eliminating the need for manual retesting.
4. The update improves support for third-party gaming handhelds like the Legion Go S, but does not address fundamental issues with the Deck Verified program.
5. Valve is making efforts to enhance the Deck Verified program, suggesting potential future revisions to the verification process.
The Steam Deck Verified program has received an update that, while not fixing the main problems with the program, does bring SteamOS compatibility. This update is primarily aimed at third-party gaming handhelds that operate on Valve’s OS, like the Legion Go S.
New Categories for Compatibility
According to Valve’s announcement on the Steam developer blog, there are now two distinct categories for SteamOS compatibility. One category includes games that work well with the OS, while the other consists of games that are not supported. In comparison, the Deck Verified program originally had four categories: Verified, Playable, Unsupported, and Unknown.
Expansion Beyond Steam Deck
Valve clarifies that this addition to the Deck Verified program applies not just to the handhelds that come with Valve’s OS, but to “any hardware running SteamOS that isn’t a Steam Deck.” The company further emphasizes in the developer blog that it anticipates marking over 18,000 games as compatible right from the start.
Automated Updates and Future Compatibility
Importantly, Valve has pointed out that these updates will be automated, eliminating the need to manually retest each game. Instead, the compatibility verification will rely on data from the Deck Verified program to assess SteamOS support for the games. Future games will have their Deck Verified and SteamOS compatibility badges processed at the same time.
This is definitely a step forward for handheld devices that can utilize SteamOS (like the Legion Go S, priced at $599.99 on Best Buy). However, Valve still hasn’t tackled the fundamental issues surrounding the Deck Verified program. Given the outdated hardware in Valve’s gaming handheld, just having a Verified badge for new AAA games doesn’t guarantee that gamers will have a satisfactory experience.
Despite this, the update indicates that Valve is making efforts to enhance the Deck Verified program, and it’s likely that significant revisions to the verification process could be forthcoming.
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