Valve: SteamOS Not Intended to Replace Windows

Valve’s SteamOS isn’t made with the intention to compete directly with Windows. That’s straight from one of Valve’s own developers, Pierre-Loup Griffais, in an interview with the French magazine Frandroid. The purpose behind SteamOS, Griffais explained, is to ensure the software runs smoothly on a variety of hardware setups. This news coincides with Lenovo rolling out its Legion Go S, marking the first time a third-party device will feature SteamOS.

Griffais added, “The goal isn’t about capturing a specific market share or steering people away from Windows.” He emphasized that if people are happy using Windows, that’s perfectly fine. “Developing a system with different aims and priorities is what’s interesting here. If it turns out to be a viable option for the average desktop user, that’s fantastic—it’s all about offering choices. But converting users who are already content isn’t our primary goal.”

On another note, Valve doesn’t have plans to resurrect the Steam Machine concept, even with the buzz around the Steam Deck. “Right now, we’re all about handhelds,” Griffais pointed out. “However, as our work progresses, our capacity to enhance experiences across different platforms and formats grows. We’ve done plenty already, making these consoles compatible with screens and controllers. We’re not prioritizing a Steam Machine at this point, but in terms of future possibilities, we’re leaving that door wide open—be it through collaborations or within our own projects.”