Microsoft hackathon venture checked out placing Home windows on Steam Deck

You possibly can technically run Home windows on gaming handhelds just like the Steam Deck, but it surely’s not likely designed for small-screened gadgets and their specialised {hardware}. Nevertheless, there’s at the least one particular person at Microsoft who want to enhance the scenario. Developer and Reddit consumer AndrewMT has confirmed {that a} Strolling Cat video leak represents a hackathon venture meant to optimize Home windows 11 for Steam Deck-style gadgets. The proposal from September would haven’t solely improved driver assist, however fine-tuned the interface and launched instruments that will help you shortly launch and exit video games no matter which service they got here from.

The venture was spurred by the need to make use of a number of non-Steam companies (equivalent to Xbox Sport Move and GOG) and Home windows’ assist for sport mods and trainers, AndrewMT says. He additionally notes that The Verge is not proper in suggesting that that is an ongoing initiative. The hand-held Home windows proposal “did not go a lot of anyplace,” the developer explains. Whereas Xbox head Phil Spencer provided contact with individuals who may assist, they had been occupied on the time. AndrewMT is hopeful the publicity will assist pitch the concept a second time.

Quite a few gaming handhelds, together with the brand new ASUS ROG Ally in addition to portables from Ayaneo and GPD, already run Home windows out of the field. Nevertheless, their creators sometimes load customized front-ends to make up for Home windows’ lack of optimization. And when you can technically use Xbox Cloud Gaming on a Steam Deck because of the net, Valve’s system is finally a Linux machine constructed to run Steam video games.

A venture like AndrewMT’s would theoretically encourage producers to construct Home windows-powered handhelds. They would not need to pour as a lot work into software program, and will anticipate video games from a variety of shops to run easily. Any official dedication would take some time to pan out, nonetheless. Whereas Microsoft senior consumer expertise designer Dorothy Feng has already explored a prototype handheld interface, there’s significantly extra work essential to make this proposal a sensible actuality.