Valve appear to have some pretty ambitious future plans for Steam, as we've seen recently a leak (and not for the first time) that Valve has plans for ARM64 and Android support on Linux.
As usual, the leaks come thanks to SteamDB, which scrapes everything possible related to Steam. The latest "ValveTestApp3043620" appears to show various VR and standard non-VR games running on ARM64 with Proton (the Windows to Linux compatibility layer). When you scroll down the list it shows this is thanks to an open source project called FEX, which "allows you to run x86 and x86-64 binaries on an AArch64 host". It also mentions Waydroid, an open source container system that allows you to run Android apps and games on a Linux-based system.
Before people think it's about any Windows and macOS stuff here, it seems very specific to Linux. The configuration text mentions how it's from Windows to Linux.
Initially, I thought this would have been purely for the long-rumoured "Deckard" VR headset, which I believe based on previous leaks will have a standalone mode that runs Linux (with an Arm processor) as well as being able to be hooked up to a PC. So it would make a lot of sense for Valve to be working on a system like this to extend Proton support to ARM64 and get Android-based apps / games working as well.
However, since the list included a lot of standard non-VR games too, it does beg the question: might we actually see Steam for Arm-based desktop devices too and not just whatever the new VR headset turns out to be? Definitely interesting times ahead. Valve's funding of various Linux-related open source projects will continue to pay off in the long run with the Steam Deck and whatever comes next.
Scrolling through the list it showed Valve testing compatibility for the likes of Pistol Whip (VR), Gorilla Tag (VR), Left 4 Dead 2, Garry's Mod, Shadow of Mordor and a great many more including various smaller indie games too.
Thinking back to how the Proton compatibility layer was announced originally, it confirmed a long-held suspicion by many that the DXVK project was being funded by Valve to get the Vulkan-based translation layer for Direct3D into a good state. So who knows, perhaps Valve are doing similar funding for FEX and Waydroid developers well ahead of any announcements again.
Valve later wiped it (but SteamDB shows the history) and put it behind a protected token, so that SteamDB can't scrape it again in future until they set whatever it is live. Bit of a woops by Valve there, but this sort of thing has happened quite a few times in the past.
QuoteSo it would make a lot of sense for Valve to be working on a system like this to extend Proton support to ARM64 and get Android-based apps / games working as well.
It was Steam on Chromebooks that made me think Valve were likely funding FEX.
Quoting: satorideponInterestingly, it seems they do not work with original Waydroid developers, looking at these [1] [2] GitHub pull requests (also this, maybe they just can't tell though), and instead developing their own fork?Well, nothing has been confirmed, but like with DXVK people wouldn’t admit it until the Valve announcements remember. All very hush as usual for Valve stuff, but it’s clearly pretty obvious now Valve are involved.
Maybe as a mid-gen release for the SteamDeck 2 similar to the OLED to keep interest up?
There are many interesting directions they could go with this.
Quoting: _MarsIt could provide a good way to test compatibility instead of completely jumping to ARM for the regular Deck
I think this is most likely going to be VR headset. It is basically a separate class of devices where it will be safe to test such things. Considering that Valve has been doing a lot of work with SteamVR recently only confirms it more
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