Valve’s Latest Collaboration With The OS Behind Steam Deck Signals the End of Windows’ Reign in Gaming

Despite the prominence of handheld gaming consoles like ASUS ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch, one name that stands out amidst all of these is Steam Deck. This Valve-made handheld gaming device is made with a custom AMD APU and a new exciting OS named SteamOS, which is based on Arch Linux.

Windows has always been the most reliable platform for gamers. Be it hardware overclocking or modding, this OS has always had fans’ backs. However, a recent deal between Valve and Arch Linux might end Windows’ dominance in the gaming fraternity.

Valve Collaborates with Arch Linux For Direct Exposure on the Steam Deck

As previously mentioned, Steam Deck’s OS is based on an open-source Linux distribution called Arch Linux. This distribution is more reliable and efficient with minimal installation, a rolling release mode, familiar user control, and better community support.

That is why, to work on its handheld console more profoundly, Valve has collaborated with Arch Linux. This is what the project leader at Arch Linux, Levente Polyak, had to say about the collaboration (via a mailing list on their website):

We are excited to announce that Arch Linux is entering into a direct collaboration with Valve. Valve is generously providing backing for two critical projects that will have a huge impact on our distribution: a build service infrastructure and a secure signing enclave. By supporting work on a freelance basis for these topics, Valve enables us to work on them without being limited solely by the free time of our volunteers.

It wasn’t a surprise, actually, keeping in mind Valve’s habit of funding open-source works. And this collaboration was Valve’s best bet to bring its handheld console to the top if it isn’t yet. Polyak has stated that this collaboration will aid them in two critical projects, one of which might be working on the handheld device.

Is It an End of Windows’ Reign As the Best Gaming-Friendly OS?

Windows might have been a viable option for gamers for years. But there are certain reasons why the Arch Linux-based OS on the Steam Deck can leave Microsoft’s OS behind.

First up, Linux is an open-source distribution, and Windows doesn’t stand near it when it comes to modifying. That’s why it causes problems for OEMs when you go to modify your Windows heavily. With Linux, you can literally do whatever you want, but with Windows, you can only do what Microsoft allows you to do.

Another aspect that keeps Linux ahead of Windows is better performance because of lighter overheads. Windows these days is pretty bloated with bunches of irrelevant and unnecessary stuff. On the other hand, Linux is pretty basic, lightweight, and clean. That’s why the OS distributes maximum efficiency to the program you want to run.

Is Steam Deck’s Arch Linux going to beat Windows? Let us know your views in the comment box.