Valve Developer: SteamOS Aims to Coexist, Not Kill Windows

Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais recently sat down for an insightful interview, shedding light on the company's stance regarding SteamOS and its relationship with Windows. Contrary to some speculations, Griffais made it clear that SteamOS is not designed to compete directly with Microsoft's Windows. Dive deeper to understand Valve's perspective and their broader goals for SteamOS.

Valve Dev Shares Insights on SteamOS and Windows

In a detailed interview with the French website Frandroid on January 9, 2025, Pierre-Loup Griffais, a key developer behind SteamOS, addressed the notion of SteamOS being a "Windows killer." This question was posed in the context of Valve president Gabe Newell's 2012 critique of Windows 8, where he accused Microsoft of damaging the gaming ecosystem with its new user interface and integrated store.

Griffais clarified, "I don't think the goal is to have a certain market share, or to push users away from Windows. If a user has a good experience on Windows, there's no problem." He emphasized the importance of offering a different set of goals and priorities with SteamOS, saying, "I think it's interesting to develop a system that has different goals and priorities, and if it becomes a good alternative for a typical desktop user, that's great. It gives them choice. But it's not a goal in itself to convert users who already have a good experience."

By introducing SteamOS to PCs and handheld devices, Valve aims to provide additional options, particularly for gamers looking for a specialized gaming experience.

Lenovo Unveils Steam-Powered Handheld Device

Microsoft has long dominated the PC operating system market with its Windows series, with Windows 11 being the latest version. However, at CES 2025, Lenovo announced their new handheld device, the Lenovo Legion GO S, which will run on SteamOS. This move allows users to directly access Steam's extensive library of games on a new platform.

This marks the first instance of SteamOS, the operating system behind the Steam Deck, being used on a device other than Valve's own. While not yet a direct competitor to Windows in the digital market, Griffais assured that Valve's efforts with SteamOS "are going to continue to expand over time." This development might prompt Microsoft to reassess its strategy as SteamOS gains compatibility with more devices.

Microsoft's Strategy to Merge Windows and Xbox

During the same event, Jason Ronald, Microsoft's VP of "Next Generation," outlined the company's response to Valve's moves by planning to combine "the best of Xbox and Windows together." Amidst the growing handheld market, currently dominated by the Nintendo Switch and Valve's Steam Deck, Microsoft is focusing on placing "the player and their library at the center of the experience." However, specifics on how Microsoft will achieve this are still under wraps, as their handheld device remains in development.

For more details on Microsoft's plans, be sure to check out our related news article.