Valve Confirms SteamOS for ROG Ally

Valve's recent update to SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta, codenamed "Megafixer," marks a significant advancement in the world of handheld gaming. Released on August 8th, this update introduces support for the ROG Ally keys, a move that expands SteamOS compatibility to third-party devices. This development is currently available in the Beta and Preview channels for the Steam Deck, offering users a chance to test these new features before their official release.

Significant Step for Third-Party Device Compatibility

The "Megafixer" update encompasses a wide array of fixes and enhancements, but it's the inclusion of support for the ROG Ally's keys that stands out. The ROG Ally, a Windows-based handheld gaming device from ASUS, now sees its first mention in Valve's patch notes. This indicates Valve's intention to broaden SteamOS's reach beyond the Steam Deck, signaling a shift towards a more inclusive gaming ecosystem.

Valve’s Vision for SteamOS Across Devices

Valve has long harbored ambitions to make SteamOS available on a variety of devices. Lawrence Yang, a designer at Valve, confirmed this direction in a recent interview with The Verge, stating, "The note about ROG Ally keys is related to third-party device support for SteamOS. The team is continuing to work on adding support for additional handhelds on SteamOS." Although ASUS has not officially endorsed SteamOS for the ROG Ally, and Valve acknowledges that SteamOS isn't fully ready for non-Steam Deck hardware, this update represents a crucial step forward. Yang emphasized that Valve is "making steady progress" towards expanding SteamOS, a vision that dates back to its initial launch.

Shifting the Handheld Gaming Landscape

Prior to this update, the ROG Ally was limited to functioning merely as a controller when playing Steam games. With the added support for the ROG Ally's keys, Valve is paving the way for potential full SteamOS integration on other devices. The ROG Ally keys include the physical buttons and controls such as the D-pad, analog sticks, and other buttons. The "extra support" ensures better recognition and mapping within the Steam ecosystem, although, as noted by YouTuber NerdNest, this functionality has yet to be fully realized in the latest SteamOS beta.

This update could herald a transformative shift in the handheld gaming landscape, where SteamOS becomes a versatile operating system across various devices. While the immediate impact on the ROG Ally's functionality may be limited, this development signifies a critical step towards a more flexible and inclusive SteamOS ecosystem. As Valve continues on this path, gamers may soon experience a unified and enhanced gaming experience across a range of handheld consoles.