Re: SteamOS expanding to other PC Handhelds

I'm still not a fan of the format, but handheld PC gaming devices are
apparently gaining in popularity, and it's nice to see that Valve
isn't getting all proprietary about it. In fact, quite the opposite,
as not only are they allowing the SteamDeck OS on other machines, but
they're actively expanding their "Steam Deck Verified" system so that
it checks compatibility with other handheld systems.

"Steam Deck Verified" is just a tag that Valve applies to games that
run on Steam Deck. Because SteamDeck OS is Linux-based, not all games
run well (or at all) on the platform, and its useful for owners of the
handheld to know which games are compatible, and which aren't. So
Valve provides a little green "checkmark" on the store page which lets
customers know ahead of time, "Yeah, this game will run and install on
the SteamDeck".

Right now, Valve only ensures compatibility with their own hardware.
However, they've announced that in future they'll be checking to see
if it runs on other hardware variations too, starting first with the
Lenovo Legion Go S. This will give more confidence to users of
non-Valve "SteamDeck" devices that their machine will actually be able
to play the games they buy.

The whole SteamDeck/SteamDeck OS was Valve's shot across the bow of
the good ship Microsoft, warning them that they --and PC gamers--
aren't as dependent on Microsoft as the behemoth might hope, and that
if the Seattle monopolist gets too uppity, there is a ready
alternative for gamers to migrate to. But that threat was somewhat
mitigated because, at the time, only Valve was making Steam Decks. Now
that other manufacturers are getting into the game, its becoming more
real.