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SteamOS
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<p>SteamOS is an <a href="/facts/Arch_Linux/MTFCkLqH">Arch Linux</a>-based <a href="/facts/Linux_distribution/0vVl4N4f">Linux distribution</a> developed by <a href="/facts/Valve_Corporation/zlRE5vJL">Valve</a>. It incorporates Valve's video game storefront <a href="/facts/Steam_(service)/nrpWwLA9">Steam</a>; it is also the official <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a> for the <a href="/facts/Steam_Deck/E6VmDMWV">Steam Deck</a>, Valve's portable gaming device, as well as Valve's earlier <a href="/facts/Steam_Machine_(computer)/Dt86Gaj7">Steam Machines</a>. </p><p>SteamOS was originally built as a <a href="/facts/Client%25E2%2580%2593server_model/FSnf27C5">client</a> for <a href="/facts/Cloud_gaming/mqTSvXs8">video game streaming</a> over a <a href="/facts/Local_area_network/edUDxJ6J">local network</a> from a <a href="/facts/Gaming_computer/Yc77JAke">gaming PC</a>. It was later extended to support some on-device gameplay, with the intent for lightweight, upgradeable PCs, known as <a href="/facts/Steam_Machine_(computer)/Dt86Gaj7">Steam Machines</a>, to run SteamOS for game streaming and local play. SteamOS versions 1.0, released in 2013, and 2.0, released in 2015, were based on the <a href="/facts/Debian/cBd93qfJ">Debian</a> distribution of <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a> with <a href="/facts/GNOME/EFMNBmpR">GNOME</a> desktop. Valve encouraged developers to incorporate Linux compatibility into their releases to better support Linux gaming options, including SteamOS. </p><p>In February 2022, Valve released the Steam Deck gaming handheld. Steam Decks run a dramatically updated version of SteamOS, version 3.0, based on <a href="/facts/Arch_Linux/MTFCkLqH">Arch Linux</a> with the <a href="/facts/KDE_Plasma/ao7x6z7s">KDE Plasma</a> <a href="/facts/Desktop_environment/VXBpMWnG">desktop environment</a> pre-installed, as well as Valve's <a href="/facts/Proton_(software)/0Woex24z">Proton</a> compatibility layer, allowing many games designed for Windows to run natively on SteamOS. </p>