Valve is testing ARM64 support for popular games, sparking speculations about future hardware ^↺

Valve seems to be exploring new ways to upgrade its ecosystem, with recent clues pointing towards the integration of ARM64 architecture and Android app support. A new update with app ID 3043620 spotted on SteamDB for an unknown application, codenamed "ValveTestApp3043620," includes key changes that reveal this info.

The update lists several popular games, such as Left 4 Dead 2, Garry’s Mod, Kerbal Space Program, and Shadow of Mordor, which now feature "proton-arm64" and "proton-arm64e" tags, among other tags like "proton-arm64ec". There are also some other tags such as "proton_experimental" and "proton-arm64ec-vanguard", most likely referring to experimental builds still in testing. These tags indicate Valve is actively testing a version of Proton—the software that allows Windows games to run on Linux—designed specifically for ARM64-based systems. The compatibility layer is developed by Valve in cooperation with developers from CodeWeavers.

The importance of ARM64 support cannot be overstated here. ARM processors, widely used in mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, could allow Valve to run PC games on portable ARM64 hardware, quite possibly as part of a broader strategy for new hardware. The inclusion of Android compatibility, hinted at by mentions of Waydroid (a tool that enables Android apps on Linux), suggests an even wider range of software could become accessible on Valve's platform.

There's a chance that Valve could be doing all this to prepare for the company's long rumored standalone VR headset, or an ARM64-based version of the original Steam Deck (currently $554 on Amazon). Please note that these are all speculations, but if true, such devices could support both VR and non-VR titles in the future. Valve has already hinted that official SteamOS support for third-party gaming handhelds could be on the way. Games such as Plague Inc: Evolved and Frostpunk also appeared in the update, making it clear that Valve wants to push a more flexible, cross-platform experience for its consumers. 

Speaking of Valve, the Steam Deck design was just pitched against Nintendo Switch OLED (currently $339 on Amazon) and rumored Switch 2 renders - take a look here.