Steam Deck Leads Developer Interest, Beats Switch 2 as GOG Comes to Linux

From developer surveys to native Linux storefront expansion, Steam Deck continues strengthening its position in handheld PC gaming.

Hardware by Mitsuba Miyu on Feb 11, 2026

As more developers, storefronts, and players join the Steam Deck ecosystem, Steam hardware continues to accelerate. With new development priorities, more Linux support, and the newest, most-played games, the platform seems to be in a better situation than ever.

Two thousand and three hundred game makers were polled as part of the Game Makers Conference's annual State of the Industry report. 40% of those 2,300 developers said they want to make games for the Steam Deck more than any other device. It's not just PCs; they pointed out the Steam Deck in particular. It's now third, tied with the PS5 and PS5 Pro.

Steam Deck, Leads Developer Interest, Beats Switch 2 as GOG Comes to Linux, NoobFeed

Developers Are Actively Targeting the Steam Deck

There's an interesting difference between the Steam Deck and the PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro is grouped with the PS5, even though it needs niche optimization and certain technologies like PSSR. The most important thing to remember is that 40% of devs are interested in the Steam Deck platform.

That 40% number also puts the Steam Deck one point ahead of the Nintendo Switch 2, which has 39%. It is said that around 30 million Switch 2s were sold, but makers seem more excited about going after the Steam Deck. You can't be sure of good software engagement just by selling hardware. If people aren't buying new games regularly or if new releases aren't getting people excited, developers may move on to other projects.

People who own a Steam Deck, on the other hand, like to play games and buy new ones regularly. People who make games go out of their way to make sure they work well with the Steam Deck at launch get our attention. You pay attention. There is a strong community ready to help studios that support the app. More makers are more likely to spend extra time and effort making sure their games work well on Steam Deck because of that feedback loop.

Also, 30% of the developers polled are already working on games for the Steam Deck. This means that an extra 10% are considering it as their first choice for their next platform. It looks like everything is okay. There has been concern that new Steam devices, such as the Steam Machine or Steam Frame, might take the spotlight off the Deck. But coders can't forget about it when the numbers are this high.

To give you an idea, when developers were asked which platform they liked best, only 7% chose the ROG Ally platform. In that way, the comparison shows how well the Steam Deck fits into the PC mobile market. Overall unit sales may differ across platforms, but how excited developers are and how involved players are tell a fuller story.

GOG Is Getting a Native Linux App

GOG is going to have a native Linux app soon, which is another big change. This is important because it means devices like the Steam Deck and other SteamOS-based gear will work better.

In the PC shop world, Steam and GOG are usually the two that people choose. They're meant for different people. Even though Steam has a huge library of games, it doesn't always have strict rules for older games. Some games needed fixes or workarounds that had to be applied by hand to work on modern computers.

Not so with GOG. They often go the extra mile to ensure older games work well on newer systems. The first three Resident Evil games are a good example. Many people think that the well-optimized PC versions that GOG released are the best way to play Resident Evil 2 and 3. The new versions look good, work well, and keep the originals' charm.

Up until now, you needed tools like Heroic Game Launcher or Lutris to run GOG games on Linux. For Heroic, it's been easy: just download the app, sign in to GOG, install the game, choose a Wine or Proton version, and add it to Steam with artwork. Heroic is still an option, even if the new native app has problems when it first comes out.

An app that works on Linux is still a big step forward. This shows a stronger dedication to Linux fans and handheld PC gamers. There has been some debate about GOG's shop choices and its internal reorganization, which included a leadership change that made GOG a separate business again. People have also said bad things about how Steam handles older games.

There are times when competition is good. If GOG wants to get better at competing, it might make Steam do better. But GOG's DRM-free policy might mean that some new games released with strict DRM won't be supported from the start. Still, more Linux support is great news for Steam Deck users.

Steam Deck, Leads Developer Interest, Beats Switch 2 as GOG Comes to Linux, NoobFeed

Top 10 Most Played Games on Steam Deck in January

The January numbers for the most-played games on Steam Deck show a mix of fun, small games, big RPGs, and well-optimized old games. It's still a diverse and busy ecosystem.

1. Mega Ball

This game keeps getting better and better. Once you start playing it, it's easy for it to take over your whole schedule. The fact that it's so addictive is why it's at the top.

2. Stardew Valley

Fans of the game have always loved Stardew Valley, and it runs well on the Steam Deck and offers great battery life. It's easy to play on the go because of its deep systems and relaxed loop.

3. Baldur's Gate 3

This RPG is still very high on the list. Even though some people don't like how CRPGs work or how dice are used, players are still drawn to them for their depth, beautiful art, and great stories.

4. Hades 2

Since version 1.0, Hades 2 has been slowly rising in the charts. It improves on everything that made the first game great and adds to it. It looks and feels right at home on the Deck.

5. The Fallout 4

Even though people have had different thoughts about it over the years, Fallout 4 is still a lot of fun to play. Exploring the Commonwealth, making things, modding, and building settlements are all fun to do on the go.

6. Slay the Spire

A great game for your phone. The card-based strategy encourages careful planning, and the game's low system requirements ensure long battery life and smooth gameplay.

7. Ball X Pit

One more roguelite that does well on the Steam Deck. It is simple to start playing and hard to stop because the sessions are short and the game progresses quickly and addictively.

8. Vampire Survivors

It wasn't discussed in detail earlier in the ranking discussion, but it's no surprise it's still there. It's a natural Deck standard because of how it's made and how often it's updated.

9. Arc Raiders

A great online game that shows games made with Unreal Engine 5 can run well on the Steam Deck. Its success shows that optimization is more important than the engine's reputation.

10. Cult of the Lamb

After early speed issues were resolved, Cult of the Lamb became stable. People keep coming back because the game keeps getting changes and new features.

Both freshness and life are shown on the list. There are both old favorites and new releases, and strong efficiency remains a theme that runs through them all.

Steam Deck, Leads Developer Interest, Beats Switch 2 as GOG Comes to Linux, NoobFeed

Final Thoughts

Both SteamOS and Steam Deck are still doing very well thanks to a large group of interested developers, more and more storefronts supporting them, and active players.

Forty percent of developers polled said they would like to make games especially for the Steam Deck, and thirty percent have already done so. Also, big storefronts like GOG are making games more compatible with Linux, so the ecosystem seems to be in good shape.

While people wait for news about new Steam gear, like when it will be available and how much it will cost, there are plenty of games to play in the meantime. The platform is still in use and in development.

It offers a wide range of games, from roguelites and RPGs to multiplayer shooters and farming simulators. We haven't forgotten about the Steam Deck. If anything, it's becoming more important to the future of PC games on mobile devices.

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