Valve has announced the Steam Machine, a compact console-like PC running Linux-based SteamOS, set for launch in early 2026. While it targets 4K gaming at 60FPS and supports many titles, it cannot run popular multiplayer games requiring unsupported kernel-level anti-cheat systems. Developers may need to expand Linux support for broader compatibility.
Valve announced the Steam Machine on November 13, 2025, as a dedicated gaming rig resembling a compact console for living room use on TVs or monitors. The device runs SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system derived from the Steam Deck, and aims for 4K resolution at 60 frames per second in most games. It plays existing Steam library titles but faces limitations with modern multiplayer games that mandate kernel-level anti-cheat software incompatible with Linux.
Supported anti-cheat systems include BattlEye, used in PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, and Destiny 2; Easy Anti-Cheat, employed by Rust and Fall Guys; and Valve Anti-Cheat for titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. However, RICOCHET, required for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, lacks Linux support, as does Riot's Vanguard for Valorant and League of Legends, and EA's Javelin Anti-Cheat for Battlefield 6 and EA Sports franchises. One source claims Fortnite, which uses Easy Anti-Cheat, will not run, while another indicates Easy Anti-Cheat supports Linux, highlighting a potential discrepancy in current implementations.
Valve also unveiled a second-generation Steam controller and the Steam Frame VR headset, both integrating with SteamOS, which is expanding to ARM architecture. No pricing details were provided, but the launch is slated for early 2026. Users can install Windows as a workaround, though this may reduce performance and disrupt the console-like experience. Valve may introduce a verification program similar to the Steam Deck's, and workarounds could emerge to verify Steam Machine integrity without full Linux support for anti-cheat. The success of SteamOS depends on developers pushing for broader compatibility, potentially challenging Windows dominance in gaming.
