In the wake of Legion Go S’s launch, Valve is crafting a new compatibility rating system for it and future SteamOS devices. Built on the foundations of its Steam Deck Verified program, it will provide insight into a game’s compatibility with the Linux-based operating system. However, in a change of pace, there’ll be no commentary on performance.
These badges will appear alongside Steam Deck Verified icons in the Steam Store and client, though exclusively on SteamOS devices such as the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S handheld. The aim is to help users gauge basic compatibility with their devices, including support for third-party game launchers, anti-cheats, and core functionality. Failing this criteria nets the game a SteamOS Unsupported label. That said, device-specific features such as hardware performance and inputs are not taken into account, meaning that a game may be listed as SteamOS compatible yet deliver sub-par frame rates and controls. Understandable, since the task will quickly become unmanagable as the operating system gains traction.
Valve has indicated that it expects over 18,000 titles to receive a SteamOS Compatible rating from the word go. This mirrors the number of games that currently boast a Verified or Playable rating on Steam Deck. This verification won’t require developer intervention, instead pulling from Steam Deck Verified data and community-driven feedback.
By broadening support beyond its own handheld, Valve aims to boost the ecosystem of SteamOS-powered devices, without confusing players. These new badges will start appearing in the Steam Store and client when accessed from SteamOS devices, located near the Steam Deck Verified icons. These labels remain hidden by default on non-SteamOS platforms.
While not as in-depth as some might have hoped for, testing each game component on Linux can be complex and time-consuming. Having to verify each title’s anti-cheat function under SteamOS’s Proton translation layer is already a huge undertaking due to the variety of proprietary solutions. In other words, this is a good start. Even Valve describes these compatibility badges as the first step toward a more comprehensive device-specific guidance.
