For over a decade, Valve has been on a mission to bridge the gap between Windows games and the Linux ecosystem. With the remarkable success of Proton compatibility on the Steam Deck and the anticipated launch of the Steam Machine, the company is now quietly expanding its horizons to include ARM devices.
Fostering Compatibility with Fex
In a recent conversation with The Verge, Pierre-Loup Griffais, the lead for Steam Deck and SteamOS, unveiled that Valve has been discreetly supporting Fex, an open-source initiative aimed at enabling Windows games to run on ARM architecture, for nearly ten years. “In 2016 and 2017, we envisioned this possibility,” Griffais noted, explaining that the Fex compatibility layer was initiated with the understanding that substantial groundwork was necessary to ensure its reliability for gamers.
“We’re pretty excited to be able to expand PC gaming to include all those options,” Pierre-Loup Griffais on Valve’s funding of ARM compatibility layers
The essence of the Fex project lies in its ambition to eliminate barriers for users, allowing them to enjoy a broader selection of games without the concern of compatibility issues. With Windows games operational on ARM, a plethora of Steam titles could potentially be accessible on a variety of devices, including low-power laptops, tablets, and even smartphones.
Exploring New Frontiers in ARM Devices
While specific devices remain under wraps, Griffais expressed enthusiasm about the possibilities that ARM-based devices could bring to the gaming landscape. “This opens the door for various options, perhaps ultraportables or more powerful laptops utilizing ARM technology,” he remarked. “Handhelds hold significant potential in the ARM realm, and we may eventually see desktop chips emerge in this space.”
The choice of ARM architecture is rooted in its efficiency at lower power levels compared to traditional options. Griffais explained that while current hardware in devices like the Steam Deck operates effectively at low wattage, ARM chipsets are optimized for such specifications, making them more competitive in lower power segments.
“There are numerous price points and power consumption metrics where ARM-based chipsets excel,” he stated, emphasizing the potential for ARM to serve the market effectively, particularly in segments below the Steam Deck’s performance tier.
SteamOS on ARM: A Seamless Transition
Valve is diligently developing an ARM version of SteamOS, maintaining the same core components and technologies as its x86 counterpart. “When you look at SteamOS on ARM, it’s fundamentally the same,” Griffais clarified. Users will have the option to download a version of Proton tailored for ARM, which will incorporate the Fex emulator, enabling a smoother gaming experience.
This initiative aims to empower players with choices. Although Windows games are primarily designed for the Windows environment, they do not necessarily have to be confined to it. Valve has already demonstrated that some titles running through Proton can outperform their native Windows counterparts due to the absence of system bloat.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the promising advancements, challenges remain. Certain games encounter compatibility issues right out of the gate, and modern multiplayer titles with anti-cheat mechanisms often struggle to function through translation layers—an area Valve hopes to address in the future.
This ongoing work not only provides players with the opportunity to transition away from Windows but also allows them to do so with minimal compromises. While Windows has long held a dominant position in the PC gaming arena, the landscape is evolving, creating space for alternative systems to flourish.
With the substantial uptake of SteamOS via the Steam Deck and the increasing demand for alternatives, particularly in the handheld market, the momentum towards a more diverse gaming ecosystem is unmistakable.
