Valve's Steam Deck Goes Arm: New Layers Unlocked

Valve is significantly expanding SteamOS's reach to Arm-based hardware, including the Steam Deck, by introducing two new compatibility layers. The first, FEX, is an emulator capable of running x86 processor instructions on Arm chipsets, enabling Windows games to function on SteamOS. This advanced binary recompiler supports modern x86 extensions and utilizes code caching for smoother performance.

Complementing FEX is Lepton, which allows Android APKs to run within a software container on SteamOS. This is particularly vital for the Steam Frame headset, as many VR titles were originally designed for Android-based headsets. Data indicates a substantial portion of games listed as 'Great on Frame' operate as Android executables through Lepton.

Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the company has been supporting FEX's development since its early stages, anticipating its long-term utility. The integration of FEX and Lepton signifies Valve's commitment to making SteamOS a viable option for a wider range of Arm devices, aiming to eliminate the need for gamers to compromise on their game library when choosing Arm hardware.