Valve Explores Running Steam Games on Mobile Devices

Valve is investigating the possibility of running Steam games on mobile devices. The company announced technological innovations in a new virtual reality headset, which may be key to this transition. In statements to The Verge, Valve highlighted that compatibility between PC and mobile games is in progress.

One of the main focuses is the creation of compatibility layers that allow games developed for x86 architecture to run on devices with Arm architecture, a technology common in smartphones and tablets. Valve emphasized that currently, solutions such as Proton and Fex already demonstrate the viability of this integration.

“Games developed for Windows PCs can now run on phones with Linux and Arm architecture,” revealed Valve to The Verge. The new Steam Frame, equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, will be the first device from the company to officially incorporate this ecosystem.

Advances in Game Compatibility

Valve is continuously investing in emulators and code translation solutions that make x86 games compatible with Arm chips, avoiding the need to port games or rely on streaming.

Pierre-Loup Griffais, architect of SteamOS, explained that this project began in 2016, aiming to improve the efficiency of game portability. “We started recruiting developers for translation layers in 2016 and 2017,” he stated.

The emulator Fex is used by applications like GameHub, allowing various PC games to run directly on Android. Valve funds the ongoing development of this emulator to ensure its effectiveness within the context of Steam Frame.

Future Possibilities for Mobile Gaming

In the long term, the ability to run Steam games on mobile devices hinges on regulatory conditions in the industry. If the European Union and other bodies facilitate the opening of alternative stores, the potential for SteamOS to expand on mobile devices could materialize.

Although Valve is currently not developing new Arm devices, it recognizes that the market is growing. Advances in Arm chips, which are already present in Qualcomm devices, could ease this compatibility in the future.

The technology is already under development but needs maturation and legislation to facilitate its implementation. Valve emphasizes that this encompasses much more than simply running Windows x86 code on mobile devices.

While the expansion of the Steam ecosystem to mobile devices is not official at this time, Valve's initiatives and advances in technologies like Proton and Fex indicate a future where this reality could become possible.

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