Steam’s New VR Headset, Steam Frame, Will Support Android Games
Valve has just announced the Steam Frame, its new wireless VR headset. What makes it stand out? The headset will allow you to play Android games directly on the device.
In an interview with The Verge, Valve engineer Jeremy Selan shared exciting details. He explained that the goal was to make it easy for players. “We want users to just download their games on Steam and hit play, without worrying about compatibility,” he said.
Seamless Experience for Developers
The Steam Frame works by using the same Android APKs that developers already use for devices like the Meta Quest. This means that developers won’t need to create new versions of their games for Steam Frame. They can bring over their Android games with little to no extra work.
The device runs on SteamOS, which is different from Android, but it has an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip that can run Android apps natively. This means no extra translation is needed to make the games work.
Jeremy Selan noted that developers already familiar with Android or Meta Quest are in a good position to bring their games to Steam Frame. “They just have to upload their APKs, and it will work,” he said.
New Hardware Lineup
The Steam Frame is part of Valve’s broader hardware update. The company also announced new versions of its Steam controller and a next-generation Steam Machine. These products will be available in regions where Steam Decks are sold, including the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and parts of Asia like Japan and South Korea.
Valve has not yet revealed the exact pricing or launch dates for these products, but more information is expected soon.
Why It Matters
Valve’s new approach could have a big impact on the VR market. By allowing Android games to work on Steam Frame, the headset could bring a lot of new content to the Steam platform. Developers will also benefit from a simpler process, which might encourage more games to come to Steam VR.
This could position the Steam Frame as a strong competitor to other VR headsets, offering an easy setup for both developers and users.
Conclusion
The Steam Frame promises to make VR gaming more accessible, especially for mobile game developers. Its ability to run Android games seamlessly could be a game-changer in the VR space, bringing even more titles to Steam VR. If Valve delivers on its promises, the Steam Frame could be the future of VR gaming.
