Valve Confirms SteamOS for ROG Ally

Valve’s newest SteamOS update facilitates wider integration with third-party devices such as the ROG Ally. Read on to discover what this expansion comprises and how it might alter handheld gaming.

Valve Broadens SteamOS Support to ROG Ally KeysSubstantial Advancement in Third-Party Device Compatibility

On August 8th, Valve issued an update to SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta, codenamed "Megafixer," which comprises support for ROG Ally keys. This update is a substantial advancement in Valve's continuous endeavors to improve the performance of SteamOS, particularly regarding compatibility with third-party gadgets. The update is presently accessible in the Beta and Preview channels for the Steam Deck, enabling users to evaluate new features prior to their completion.

The patch, while encompassing a wide array of fixes and enhancements across diverse facets of SteamOS, is especially noteworthy for its inclusion of added support for the keys on the ROG Ally, a handheld gaming device manufactured by ASUS that operates on Windows. This signifies the first instance that Valve has explicitly mentioned supporting hardware from a competing firm in their patch notes, suggesting a wider perspective for SteamOS that extends beyond its current Steam Deck limitation.

Valve’s Vision for SteamOS Across Devices

Valve has long shown interest in expanding SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck. Lawrence Yang, a Valve designer, recently confirmed this in an interview with The Verge. "The note about ROG Ally keys is related to third-party device support for SteamOS. The team is continuing to work on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS," Yang stated.

This reflects Valve's broader vision, since SteamOS's initial launch, to offer an open and flexible gaming platform. Although ASUS hasn't officially approved SteamOS for the ROG Ally, and Valve acknowledges SteamOS isn't ready for widespread use on non-Steam Deck devices yet, this update is a key achievement. Yang stressed that Valve is "making steady progress," showing the company's commitment to expanding SteamOS beyond its own hardware, a long-term objective.

This update reinforces Valve's dedication to this vision and indicates the gaming community may soon see a more open and flexible SteamOS usable on various gaming devices, realizing a promise central to Valve's strategy since SteamOS's creation.

Shifting the Handheld Gaming Landscape

Before this update, the ROG Ally was limited to functioning as a controller when playing Steam games. However, by adding enhanced support for the ROG Ally’s keys, Valve is establishing a foundation for potentially running SteamOS on other devices.

To clarify, the ROG Ally keys refer to the physical buttons and controls on the ROG Ally device, such as the D-pad, analog sticks, and other buttons. The "enhanced support" in the update means that SteamOS should now more effectively recognize and map these keys, ensuring they function correctly within the Steam ecosystem. However, according to YouTuber NerdNest, this functionality has yet to be fully realized, even after updating to the latest SteamOS beta.

This update could signal the start of a transformation in the handheld gaming landscape, where SteamOS is no longer confined to a single piece of hardware. The implications are substantial: if Valve continues along this path, gamers could eventually view SteamOS as a feasible alternative operating system for various handheld consoles, offering a more unified and potentially richer gaming experience across different devices. While the current update doesn’t alter the immediate functionality of the ROG Ally, it represents a crucial step towards a more adaptable and inclusive ecosystem for SteamOS.