Engineering organization Linaro has revealed a partnership with Valve to support the development of the upcoming Steam Frame device. The collaboration focuses on open-source Linux efforts for Arm-based gaming. Valve's Steam Frame is expected to launch sometime this year.
Linaro, a key player in the Arm ecosystem, has disclosed its involvement in supporting Valve's Steam Frame project. This handheld gaming device, designed to run on Arm architecture, benefits from Linaro's expertise in Linux-based technologies.
In an official statement, Linaro highlighted its role: "Linaro, the leading engineering organization driving innovation in the Arm® ecosystem, is pleased to announce its collaboration with Valve - the creators of the iconic Half-Life series and the digital distribution platform Steam." The organization emphasized its 15-year history of uniting companies and the open-source community to advance Arm Linux solutions. It specifically noted support for the Steam Frame's open-source Linux development and expressed commitment to future Linux on Arm gaming devices.
The Steam Frame announcement comes amid broader efforts by Valve to enhance Arm compatibility. For instance, Valve has funded the FEX emulator to enable x86 games on Arm Linux systems. Additionally, Valve's adaptation of Android on Linux, previously based on Waydroid, has been renamed Lepton. Open-source consultancy Igalia has also contributed to work on the Steam Frame and related Steam Machine initiatives.
While exact release details for the Steam Frame remain undisclosed, the device is slated for availability later this year. This partnership underscores growing momentum in Arm-based portable gaming, bridging proprietary hardware with open-source software ecosystems.
