Valve Developer Shares Insights on SteamOS and Windows Compatibility

During this year’s CES, Valve announced the Legion Go S, the first third-party device powered by SteamOS. The Linux-based operating system, under development since 2012, gained momentum with the success of Steam Deck.

Pierre-Loup Griffais, a developer at Valve, stated, “we’ve come a long way behind the scenes” while emphasizing ongoing improvements in compatibility. He noted that the ultimate goal is to support all kinds of platforms and chipsets. However, he highlighted that current support on some platforms remains “very basic.”

Griffais indicated that Valve is not in competition with Windows, asserting, “If a user has a good experience on Windows, there’s no problem.” He believes in developing an OS that offers alternatives without forcibly converting satisfied Windows users.

Despite having no definitive roadmap for SteamOS’s future, Griffais expressed optimism about the project’s unique open-source approach, which aims to benefit the entire PC ecosystem. He also touched on the potential for future collaborations on various device types, including the notion of reviving Steam Machines as development progresses.

In the words of Griffais, “It’s a pretty unique model where everyone shares the same code base, allowing for collective enhancements of the system.”