Proton 11 Brings ARM Support While Steam Machines Redefine PC Gaming

The Steam ecosystem is moving at lightning speed, with enhancements to both hardware and software compatibility. Recent news shows an increasing trend of people building their own SteamOS machines, the latest in Proton, and an ever-growing list of games that play amazingly well on both handheld and desktop setups.

Everyone is Building Their Own Steam Machines

It seems like everyone on the planet is building a Steam machine. Despite being pitched as a competitor to Valve, it seems like this is where this has been heading.

For instance, the team at EMU Deck has a concept that is close to being a Steam console. The concept they had, Play Next, was supposed to be a dedicated emulation device running a fork of Linux, but it did not take off.

Now, the idea has been relaunched as a Steam machine. It has a Ryzen 5 CPU, 16GB of memory, and a 9060 XT graphics card, all in a compact case that looks like a bigger Xbox Series S. The price depends on how much the hardware cost when it was made. 

The initial batch sold for $1,100. Although some may find this price high, it matches the components. Few systems with this level of performance have been available for under $1,000, even without the impact of rising memory prices.

The system can run 4K60fps with upscaling, which is good for performance. There is a problem with SteamOS Linux on a PC, though: it often thinks it is a Steam Deck. It makes it harder to work with newer technologies like FSR 4, unless you take extra steps like using Proton GE and launch commands.

For example, a YouTuber named Zach Builds made a special Steam PC. This PC can do the same things as the other one, like play games at 4K60fps, but it costs $950 less because it uses refurbished parts. This is a great construction, but it's not something others can readily copy because of the bespoke chassis design, 3D scanning, and printing.

The best part is that now it's easier than ever to create a SteamOS PC. Even if SteamOS is simple, some people will surely prefer other options, like Bazzite or forked Linux versions. Valve has also added desktop-only features, making the OS more suitable for desktop gaming.

Official Steam hardware is still better because it gets software updates, is tiny, and has features like Bluetooth turn-on.

But the flexibility afforded by Valve means players can use older computers, build a custom PC, or set up a streaming system using Steam Link. This allows PC gamers of all kinds to get the best of both worlds.

Proton 11: The Future is ARM

Proton 11 is now in beta, offering better support for older games and ARM platforms. This move signals a significant milestone towards extending SteamOS beyond x86 platforms.

 Preliminary test builds have shown that Steam works on the original Nintendo Switch (or other devices running Ubuntu), but it isn't able to run games yet.

ARM support is most useful in Android-based handheld devices like the AYN Odin series and others. Proton's enhancements directly benefit the Steam gaming experience on these devices. But there are compatibility issues; many games do not work well or exhibit stuttering and graphical glitches.

ARM-based handheld devices have some advantages, such as longer battery life and improved performance, but they do not yet have all the features that x86-based devices (such as Steam Deck) offer. 

The Steam Deck's plug-and-play nature remains unmatched, while ARM-based machines can be fiddled with and are still not 100% compatible.

The future may see ARM being more prevalent in Steam devices, such as a Steam Deck 3 or a lighter model. But for the time being, x86 processors will provide the best gaming performance. Regardless, Proton and SteamOS development will ensure everyone gets improved performance and compatibility.

A Great Week for Steam Deck Releases

There have been some new and upcoming Steam Deck games in the last two weeks. Vampire Crawlers is one of the new games. It's a first-person dungeon crawler like Vampire Survivors. 

The game has automatic aiming and boss battles in a 3D environment, making for a fun game. It runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, and at only $10, it's a great deal.

Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is another amazing game that is similar to the first Castlevania games. It has hard platforming, gothic graphics, and a strong sense of struggle; thus, it's for people who like old-school action games. While it is visually reminiscent of older games, it is a fully realized game.

Pragmata is also a "full" game with frenetic third-person shooter action and Metroidvania-style progression. It offers quick targeting and slick combat, along with many game modes, including challenge stages. It's a great game for the Steam Deck and a powerful PC, with support for advanced features such as FSR4.

The success of Capcom's recent releases, such as Resident Evil, Monster Hunter Stories 3, and Pragmata, is a testament to its continued high standard of quality. This ever-growing list of games highlights the success of the Steam Deck ecosystem, despite its age.

Today's SteamOS and ecosystem is a platform of choice.

It has something for everyone, including custom-built and ARM devices, and new and exciting games.

Proton keeps getting better and better. It works better with hardware and games, which improves the experience. It's easy and quick to play games on SteamOS, which is great. It's great for people who play games only for fun and for people who want to get more into the game.