Seattle, WA – In a surprising move, Valve has officially confirmed its intention to support ASUS’ upcoming ROG Ally handheld with its Steam Deck operating system. This announcement comes shortly after the Ally’s debut and the release of its own custom operating system, Windows 11. While the Ally will primarily run on Windows, Valve has confirmed that users will have the option to boot into the Steam Deck OS.
This decision is a significant departure from Valve’s usual strategy, as it typically focuses on its own hardware, the Steam Deck. However, the company has stated that it is “committed to making sure that players have the best possible experience on all platforms, including those that aren’t directly manufactured by us.”
The Steam Deck OS offers several benefits over traditional Windows for gaming, including:
Optimized Performance: The OS is designed specifically for gaming and leverages the Deck’s hardware for optimal performance.
Seamless Integration: The OS integrates seamlessly with the Steam platform, allowing for easy access to games, settings, and other features.
Unique Features: The OS boasts several unique features, such as the ability to switch between desktop mode and handheld mode with a single button press.
This move by Valve opens up a world of possibilities for the ROG Ally, allowing users to experience the Steam Deck OS on a powerful, portable device. While the Ally boasts an impressive hardware lineup, the addition of the Steam Deck OS could give it a competitive edge by offering a truly optimized gaming experience.
However, it remains unclear how Valve plans to implement this support. Will the Steam Deck OS be included as a separate boot option on the Ally? Will it be available as a downloadable update? These questions remain unanswered, but the announcement itself is a significant development in the world of handheld gaming.
It remains to be seen how this development will impact the future of handheld gaming. Will other hardware manufacturers follow suit and embrace the Steam Deck OS? Will Valve release its own OS for other platforms in the future? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the gaming landscape is changing rapidly, and Valve is at the forefront of this revolution.
