Steam Now Supports Android Games

The recent announcement from Valve marks a significant expansion for the Steam platform, now officially embracing Android games. This move accompanies the introduction of the Steam Frame, a new piece of hardware that functions like a wireless VR headset for your computer or could be described as a Steam Deck for your face. More importantly, it signals Valve’s strategic entry into the mobile gaming arena. The device isn’t limited to running Windows titles on its Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon processor; Valve will now actively support and encourage developers to bring their Android applications to Steam.

Valve engineer Jeremy Selan explained the company’s vision for a seamless user experience. The goal is for people to find their favorite titles available on Steam, download them, and start playing without any extra steps or complications. The Steam Frame is designed to utilize the exact same Android APK files that developers currently use for phones and other Android-based VR systems, including the Meta Quest. To facilitate this, Valve is launching a developer kit program to get the hardware into creators’ hands.

A specific focus appears to be on attracting developers from the Meta VR ecosystem. Selan noted that these are primarily VR developers looking to publish their existing content. Since they are already proficient at creating the necessary APKs for mobile VR titles, they can now freely bring those experiences to Steam, where they will function natively on the new device.

Performance is expected to be robust because the code runs directly on the Arm architecture. Although SteamOS is a different system from Android and typically relies on its Proton compatibility layer, the Arm code will execute on the Arm processor without requiring any prior translation, promising a smooth and efficient operation.

When questioned about the potential for non-gaming Android apps, such as Discord for voice chat, Valve’s response was more measured. A company representative clarified that while they have never prohibited such software, their primary focus remains on games, acknowledging that Steam already hosts various tools and software titles. However, the engineers revealed ongoing work for rich browser integration. This would allow users to pull up a browser with floating windows and full multitasking capabilities, potentially bridging the gap for many web-based applications. The hope is to eventually allow these web apps to be launched quickly from Steam, possibly as dedicated buttons, though this feature may not be ready for the initial launch.

This foray into Android is likely just the beginning for Valve. The company is known for its long-term strategies, and the Steam Frame’s support for Android-based VR games probably represents the first step in a broader plan. The timing is particularly interesting, as regulatory pressures may soon force Google to open the Android platform to alternative app stores. This could eventually allow Steam to sell games directly on mobile devices, a market its competitor Epic has also been pursuing.

In the meantime, reports indicate that users will have the ability to sideload Android APKs onto the Steam Frame. Furthermore, Valve has hinted at a future where SteamOS could extend to other Arm-based devices. This suggests potential for the operating system to appear on a wider array of hardware, including laptops and future handheld gaming systems, underscoring the significant potential the company sees in the Arm architecture.

(Source: The Verge)