Get ready for a mind-blowing revelation! Valve's game console is a game-changer, but here's the twist: it might just be the beginning of something even bigger. Imagine a future where PC gaming isn't confined to consoles or high-end rigs; it's accessible on the billions of Arm-powered phones in our pockets! No more waiting for developers to port games; with Valve's vision, PC games could run seamlessly on our phones, Macs, and other Arm devices.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Steam Frame, initially dismissed as just another VR headset, turns out to be a stealthy game-changer. It's a gateway to a world where Arm-based devices can run Windows games without the hassle of porting. I, for one, am already enjoying this future on my Samsung Galaxy. With open-source technologies like Proton and Fex, I'm playing the best games of 2025, like Hollow Knight: Silksong, on my Android phone, thanks to Valve's quiet revolution.
And this is the part most people miss: Valve isn't just funding these open-source projects; they're leading the charge. In an exclusive interview, Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais, the mastermind behind SteamOS and the Steam Deck, revealed that the company has been quietly funding almost all the open-source technologies needed to play Windows games on Arm. This means a future where Arm phones, laptops, and desktops can freely run these games, without the need for time-consuming porting efforts.
Remember when the Steam Deck showed us that Linux could make Windows gaming portable? Valve's approach is similar with Arm. They've been recruiting and funding open-source developers since 2016 to bring Windows games to Arm chips. The lead developer of Fex, Ryan Houdek, confirms that Valve's support has made Fex his full-time job, and he's grateful for their early involvement.
So, why Arm? Griffais explains that Arm chipsets offer better performance and power efficiency, especially for lower-power devices. Valve wants to expand PC gaming to include all these options, not just a subset of the market. They envision a future where Arm-based ultraportables, powerful laptops, and even desktops can run SteamOS and its vast library of games.
But here's the real question: Will Valve make a Steam Phone? Griffais hints at the possibility, saying they're excited to partner with companies to build these Arm devices. The Arm version of SteamOS is the same core OS, with different software options depending on the device form factor. It's a flexible, future-proof system.
When it comes to running Windows games on Arm, Proton and Fex work together seamlessly. Proton, built on Wine, sets up the address space and loads the game's code, translating it into a format the Linux OS can understand. Fex, on the other hand, provides compatibility with x86 code, translating it into Arm code on the fly. This means that when a game makes an API call, it jumps into Arm-native code, minimizing the performance hit of emulation.
Valve's support for these projects is extensive. They've funded the core developers of Fex from the beginning, with the goal of creating a robust, correct, and high-performance emulation solution for gaming. They believe game developers should focus on making great games, not wasting time on porting.
The Steam Frame, while running Android apps, doesn't actually run Android on the headset. Instead, it uses a compatibility layer similar to Proton, targeted at Android games. This allows Android apps to run without the need for code emulation.
As for SteamOS phones, Griffais says they're focused on living room, handheld, and desktop devices for now, but they're open to possibilities. Arm's future in handheld gaming is uncertain, but it's definitely a good fit for lower-performance devices.
What do you think? Is Arm the future of gaming, or just a niche for headsets? Share your thoughts in the comments!
