Valve Announces More Flexible Game Verification Process for Steam Machine

Valve has revealed that the verification process for games on its upcoming Steam Machine platform will be less restrictive than that of the Steam Deck. According to designer Lawrence Yang, developers can expect to have more freedom with the Steam Machine Verified scheme, which is set to launch soon. Yang noted that if a game is verified on the Steam Deck, it will also be verified on the Steam Machine, providing a straightforward guideline for developers. The verification process for the Steam Frame virtual reality headset, however, may differ, with Valve planning to conduct thorough testing and provide feedback to developers. The Steam Deck Verified scheme, which was introduced prior to the release of the Steam Deck, categorizes games into three categories: verified, playable, and unsupported, based on their performance on the hardware. Valve recently unveiled three new hardware products, including the Steam Machine mini PC, Steam Frame virtual reality headset, and Steam Controller gamepad, but has not announced release dates or pricing details yet. In a recent podcast, Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais mentioned that the company is aiming to offer a competitive price for the Steam Machine, comparable to building a PC with similar performance specs.