Valve Dives into Arm64: Proton 11 Beta Now Available for Linux Gamers!
It’s been quite the journey since Valve first unleashed Proton over seven years ago. This nifty software layer has been a game-changer, enabling gamers to run Windows titles on Linux systems like SteamOS. Fast forward to today, and we have the latest Proton 11.0 beta, which is loaded with fixes and improvements for a smoother gaming experience. But here’s the kicker: Valve has quietly rolled out a special version just for devices powered by Arm64 processors.
A keen-eyed Reddit user stumbled upon this update and shared their findings, which resulted in a mixed bag of performance reports. If you’re curious, you can check out the details on SteamDB. Just a heads-up: this version is still in beta, and while it’s labeled Proton 11.0 (ARM64), it’s clear that it’s tailored for specific hardware.
Now, before you get too excited, this update isn’t meant for your everyday devices like Apple Macs or laptops with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. However, there’s some compatibility, as one Redditor found out. The reason behind this Arm-specific version? Valve is developing a VR headset known as the Steam Frame that runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, featuring eight Arm Cortex CPU cores.
If you’re using your gaming PC to power games through the headset, you won’t need Proton. But for titles hosted directly on the Frame, this compatibility layer kicks in if the games are Windows-based. It’s important to note that Proton deals with the OS compatibility side, while an additional translation layer called FEX is necessary to make x86 code work on Arm hardware. Just keep in mind that this setup might come with some performance trade-offs.
The fact that this Arm version of Proton is still in beta and hasn’t been officially announced suggests that the retail launch of the Steam Frame could be just around the corner. Out of the trio of exciting products Valve has teased – the Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and Steam Controller – the Steam Frame definitely catches the eye.
As a current user of the Meta Quest 3S for VR gaming, I can relate to the frustration of dealing with cumbersome optical cables for a seamless experience. When playing over Wi-Fi, latency and bandwidth issues can ruin the fun. However, the Steam Frame is set to change all that, utilizing a dedicated 6 GHz wireless dongle to stream games from your PC to the headset. Our own Jacob tried it out and was thoroughly impressed with the lag-free, wireless experience.
If I eventually trade in my Quest 3S for this new Steam Frame, I might not rely heavily on Proton. However, it’s pretty cool that Valve is looking out for gamers who want to dive into Windows-based titles without the hassle of booting up a bulky PC. It seems like Valve is gearing up for a future where PC gaming is increasingly moving away from the traditional x86 architecture, and with this move, they’re definitely ahead of the curve.