Happy three years to the Steam Deck - the Linux gaming machine that changed everything

It's been three years today since Valve released the Steam Deck. Not only has Valve shown how incredible Linux actually can be as a gaming platform, but they really kicked the industry into gear on PC gaming handhelds.

What a success it's been! Selling multiple millions, although we don't know the exact number since Valve don't really like to talk in such specifics. And we're closing in on 18,000 games rated at least Playable (although the rating system is a bit off at times), that's a whole lot of gaming you can do from the comfort of your couch, on the bus, the toilet — wherever.

During this time Valve have released 14 major updates to Proton, the compatibility layer that runs Windows games on Linux systems like SteamOS / Steam Deck. Going from Proton 7.0-1 in February 2022 just before the Steam Deck release up to the latest Proton 9.0-4 in December 2024. The progress on game compatibility has been impressive (although anti-cheat is still a real problem). That's only counting numbered Proton updates too, there's plenty more that have gone into Proton Experimental and Proton Hotfix in between. If you're confused on the different Proton versions be sure to read my guide.

We've seen some huge updates to SteamOS Linux during this time too. Going back through all the updates since the original release we've seen Valve add the likes of:

• Per-app performance profiles.
• HDR, VRR and display colour settings.
• Game recording.
• A lock screen for security.
• Refresh rate switcher.
• A window switcher for when games have multiple windows (like launchers remaining open).
• Night Mode.
• Enabled customization of the performance overlay.
• An improved Offline Mode (it used to require a reboot).
• Major version updates to the KDE Plasma Desktop Mode.
• Improvements for docking the Steam Deck like display interface scaling.
• Various performance improvements and GPU driver upgrades.
• Support for Bluetooth A2DP and BAP profiles.
• Mura Compensation.
• Added support for some HDMI CEC features to their official Dock.
• Added overclocking controls on Steam Deck LCD.
• + so much more.

That's just me cherry-picking additions in some big SteamOS updates, we've also seen some huge upgrades to the Steam Client as a whole too, a lot of which the Steam Deck has also benefited from. You certainly can't say Valve have been sitting around - they're always doing something. Who can also forget the Steam Deck OLED release, Valve's definitive edition of the handheld with masses of improvements.

With Valve showing the way, we've seen an explosion in the number of different PC gaming handhelds too. Previously limited to smaller high-priced vendors, it's all become a lot more accessible. Valve proved there's a market for it. While others have been chasing refreshes with improved specifications, and at times ludicrous prices, the Steam Deck has soldiered on to be more of a dedicated platform. We've seen the ASUS ROG Ally and ASUS ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go and Lenovo Legion Go S, Acer Nitro Blaze 7, 8 and 11, ZOTAC Zone, MSI Claw A1M and the MSI Claw 8 AI+. That's on top of the constant refreshes from other smaller vendors.

One day hopefully we will see another Steam Machine / Steam Console. I had some thoughts on what Valve could do to make such a thing a success this time. I'm also especially looking forward to the upcoming public Beta of SteamOS 3 to see what people and other hardware vendors do with it.

Happy Steam Deck Day everyone.