Valve has published an extensive report detailing its achievements in 2024, particularly emphasizing the high engagement levels from Steam Deck players, who logged a monumental 330 million hours of gameplay, indicating a 64% increase from the previous year.

This surge in gaming hours illustrates the growing impact of Steam Deck, prompting major publishers to consider compatibility with the device. Notably, Square Enix highlighted Steam Deck support for “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,” while Ubisoft confirmed that “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” would be verified at launch.

While Valve’s exploration into hardware continues, there are no revelations beyond what fans already anticipate: the company is gearing up for the release of SteamOS on various handheld devices and is excited about the adaptation of existing handhelds for SteamOS.

In the company’s own words, “The future of hardware at Valve is bright.” They highlighted the immense value derived from Steam Deck, SteamOS, and SteamVR, benefiting both gamers and developers. Valve’s hardware teams are eager to see their platform utilized in diverse environments, from living rooms to outdoor spaces.

With the popularity of the Steam Deck firmly established, might we expect more advancements and innovations in handheld gaming sooner than anticipated?