SteamOS

SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system developed by Valve Corporation to provide a console-like gaming experience centered on Steam. It is designed for living-room devices, such as set-top boxes or dedicated consoles, and runs the Steam client with a fullscreen Big Picture interface to navigate games and media.

Introduced in 2013 as part of Valve's Steam Machine initiative, the first release, SteamOS 1.0, was based on Debian and shipped with Valve's hardware partners. Valve released subsequent updates to improve hardware compatibility and streaming capabilities. The Steam Machines program was ultimately discontinued as consumer demand failed to materialize.

With SteamOS 3.0, released to power the Steam Deck in 2022, Valve shifted the base to Arch Linux, reflecting a move toward portable hardware while maintaining a couch-friendly interface.

SteamOS emphasizes tight Steam integration, including the Proton compatibility layer to run many Windows games on Linux, Steam Big Picture mode for living-room navigation, and in-home streaming via Steam Remote Play.

Today, SteamOS remains the default operating system for the Steam Deck and continues under development as a living-room-focused Linux distribution. While the broader Steam Machine project ended, SteamOS continues to be used as a foundation for Valve’s current hardware and for users seeking a Steam-centric Linux gaming experience.