Steam has announced a new compatibility rating system for SteamOS devices, extending the Steam Deck Verified process.
SteamOS Compatibility Ratings Announced
As detailed in a community blog post, the SteamOS Compatibility system is based on a subset of testing results from the Steam Deck Compatibility assessments. It will be used as a tool to indicate whether a game and its associated middleware are compatible with SteamOS devices. The compatibility system evaluates several aspects, including game functionality, launcher functionality, and support for anti-cheat measures.
The SteamOS compatibility ratings do not take into account performance or input results. If a game and all its middleware are supported on SteamOS, it will be labelled “SteamOS Compatible.” Conversely, if it is incompatible, it will be marked as “SteamOS Unsupported.” The ratings will be released in the coming weeks, and Steam has confirmed that over 18,000 titles will be marked as SteamOS Compatible from the start.
Developers do not need to take extra steps to obtain the SteamOS compatibility rating if they already have a Steam Deck compatibility rating. The system will automatically use the existing data to provide the SteamOS compatibility rating. If the title has not been tested yet, a new test has to be conducted to generate both the Steam Deck and SteamOS ratings simultaneously.
At present, the only other officially supported device running SteamOS is the Lenovo Legion Go S. However, the company anticipates that this will expand to include other devices in the future. When the feature is launched, players can find SteamOS compatibility results alongside Steam Deck compatibility results in the partner dashboard. Non-Steam Deck devices will display the compatibility ratings on both the Store and the Steam Client.
In other news, a surprise AC game overtook Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ daily player count on Steam. Also, GeoGuessr became the second-worst-rated game on Steam as soon as it launched. What are your thoughts on the new SteamOS Compatibility rating system? Let us know below, and join the discussion in the official Insider Gaming forums.
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