Valve’s Proton software has opened the door for Linux users to enjoy a plethora of Windows PC games, including those available on the Steam Deck, Valve’s innovative handheld gaming device. Until now, Proton has primarily catered to PCs powered by Intel or AMD processors utilizing the x86_64 architecture. However, recent developments suggest that Valve may be venturing into the realm of ARM-based chips.
Emerging Evidence of ARM Support
In recent days, keen observers have noted that Valve is actively testing a variety of popular PC games under a new designation: “proton-arm64ec.” This indicates the potential existence of a version of Proton tailored for ARM processors. Additionally, there are mentions of Waydroid, a platform enabling the execution of Android applications on Linux-based systems through the Wayland compositor, which further hints at Valve’s expanding ambitions.
Despite the intriguing clues, Valve has yet to provide an official statement clarifying its intentions. The information currently available stems from updates tracked by SteamDB, a third-party site dedicated to monitoring changes within the Steam ecosystem.
Some speculate that Valve might be gearing up to launch an ARM-powered handheld device reminiscent of the Steam Deck. Others propose that the focus could be on a long-rumored VR headset, codenamed Deckard, although not all tested games fall into the VR category. There are even whispers about the possibility of bringing Windows games to Apple devices, such as Macs with Apple Silicon, iPads, or iPhones. Alternatively, this could align with Valve’s goal of making SteamOS, originally developed for the Steam Deck, accessible on third-party hardware, expanding beyond traditional x86 devices like the Asus ROG Ally.
As it stands, the only certainty is that Valve appears to be in the early stages of testing Proton for ARM architecture. The ultimate purpose—whether for proprietary hardware, collaborations with third-party manufacturers, or an entirely different initiative—remains to be unveiled.
