With the Windows 8 system released in 2012, Microsoft placed a lot of expectations. On the one hand, Microsoft hopes to enhance its competitiveness with the iPad in the field of tablet computers, on the other hand, it wants to create an ecosystem around the Microsoft Store. Valve realized that if Microsoft succeeds in this area, it will inevitably threaten their entire business model. Therefore, Valve began to build itself as a platform, not just a game client.
In 2013, Valve released SteamOS; in 2015, Valve entered the game console market through Steam Controller, Steam Link and Steam Machines. Although this effort did not see commercial success, Valve was not deterred. In 2018, Valve announced the launch of Proton, a compatibility layer that allows more than 1,000 Windows games to run on Linux.
Proton has made DirectX 9, 10 and 11 games run through the Vulkan API through the advancement of DXVK and other related technologies, and has made great progress in-game compatibility. In fact, the project is progressing so fast that Amazon has also joined the ranks and is committed to transmitting games that support Proton through Luna.
The progress of this work has been updated on ProtonDB, and today they have crossed an important milestone because user reports on the website show that 80% of the top 100 games on Steam can now run on Linux and extend to Steam Deck. These games include Microsoft Flight Simulator, No Man’s Sky, Back for Blood, Cookie Clicker, Dark Souls III, Stardew Valley, etc.
All in all, Valve is doing well. Steam Deck continues to receive positive media coverage, and compatibility continues to improve. In fact, of the 21,244 games reported, 17,649 games have been reported to be available so far.
