The Steam Deck might be the most popular Linux PC ever, though you’d be forgiven if you haven’t realized that its SteamOS software is technically Linux. The Proton compatibility layer is the Steam Deck’s special sauce,

Valve are likely up to something hardware-related again, report NotebookCheck. Their next chunk of plastic and wires – following the Valve Index, Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED – could swap PC gaming’s favoured x86 architecture for ARM, the type of processor favoured by the Nintendo Switch, Macs, and mobile phones.

Valve’s Proton software makes it possible to play many Windows PC games on computers running Linux-based operating system, including Valve’s own Steam Deck handheld gaming PC. So far Proton has only been available for PCs with Intel or AMD processors based on x86_64 architecture,

Valve is working on an ARM64 implementation to bring x86-based Steam titles to mobile devices — including its rumored standalone VR headset

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Valve, which operates Steam, the largest online marketplace for PC games, has worked hard to hedge against the possibility of Microsoft turning Windows into a closed marketplace-Linux gaming is taking off and Valve branched out into hardware to run it.

Valve may be developing an ARM64 version of Proton for Linux gaming. Hundreds of games, like Left 4 Dead, have been tested for compatibility using a new 64-bit layer. The potential for ARM64-based portable consoles opens exciting new possibilities.