The initiative from Griffais aims to allow gamers to consider Arm-based hardware without the concern of leaving part of their game library behind. This eliminates the hesitation of gamers who often wonder about the compatibility of their favorite titles with new devices.
The Droids You’re Looking For?
One of the latest compatibility layers introduced for Steam is Lepton, an enhancement of the existing Waydroid project designed to enable standard Android APKs to operate on SteamOS through a software container. This layer is particularly essential for the new Steam Frame, considering that many VR titles intended for this device were originally developed for Android-based Quest headsets.
Credit:
Valve
While many of these titles had previously been ported to Windows to maintain compatibility with older SteamVR headsets, it appears that numerous current titles for the Steam Frame are simply running as APKs via the Lepton compatibility layer. A recent investigation by VR.org into Steam metadata revealed that 52 out of the first 120 “Great on Frame” games function as Android executables translated through Lepton. This includes a select trio of titles on the storefront that currently lack Windows, Mac, or Linux builds.
According to Valve engineer Jeremy Selan, developers who are typically focused on VR content have the freedom to transition their mobile VR games, as they are already familiar with creating APKs. “They are now free to bring those to Steam, and they’ll just work on this device,” he noted.
This raises the question of whether other Android developers might also leverage Lepton to get non-VR apps running on SteamOS. In response, Valve‘s Lawrence Yang acknowledged that while the company has never discouraged such efforts, their primary focus remains on gaming.
This development reflects a significant shift from Valve’s earlier stance, where developers were encouraged to create unique Linux ports for the initial version of SteamOS. Now, the focus may gradually move towards enhancing a compatibility layer that could eventually support a broader range of applications, including retro games.
Editor’s Take
This new compatibility layer not only enhances the utility of SteamOS, but it also opens the door for a wider variety of games and applications. For consumers, this means access to more content without the usual concerns about device limitations. For developers, it simplifies the process of bringing their products to a new platform, potentially creating a more robust ecosystem that fosters innovation and growth in gaming technology.
Source: arstechnica.com
