Valve Unveils New Certification for Steam Machine and Steam Frame: What Gamers Need to Know
At GDC 2026, Valve officially introduced an extended game certification system for future devices in the Steam ecosystem — the Steam Machine console/PC/mini-PC and the Steam Frame VR headset. New statuses will build upon the Steam Deck Verified program, taking into account the specifics and characteristics of the new devices.
Steam Machine Verified: Expanding Steam Deck Standards
Valve confirmed that all games with Steam Deck Verified status will automatically be compatible with Steam Machine.
Main requirements for Steam Machine Verified:
- Stable 30 FPS at 1080p resolution;
- Proper operation without manual configuration;
- No critical compatibility issues with SteamOS.
However, Valve clarifies that it does not emphasize interface readability or scaling — unlike the portable Steam Deck console, where this is critical due to the small screen.
Games with Deck Playable status may also receive the Machine Verified mark if the limitations are only related to interface or resolution, not performance.
On one of the slides, Valve mentioned a “Performance — 6× Steam Deck” indicator, which may hint at the power of the future Steam Machine.
Steam Frame Verified: A Separate Standard for VR
For the Steam Frame virtual reality headset, Valve introduces its own compatibility status. It will be assigned to each game separately, including both VR projects and regular games that can be launched in a virtual space.
Requirements for Steam Frame Verified:
- 90 FPS for VR games;
- 30 FPS at 1280×720 for regular games;
- Full compatibility with Steam Frame controllers;
- User-friendly interface adapted to the VR environment.
Steam Frame will work with SteamVR and OpenXR standards, and support data streaming from PCs with minimal latency, but thanks to ARM architecture, it can also function as a standalone device.
How Incompatible Games Will Be Marked
Valve clarified that:
- Games not supporting SteamOS will receive a corresponding status;
- If the issues are only related to performance, the status will be determined based on test results;
- For VR games, a stable FPS remains the most crucial criterion.
Valve representatives confirmed that they hope for the Valve's New Gadgets Delayed: Steam Machine, Controller 2, and VR Headset Face Uncertain 2026 Release, but cannot provide an exact date due to the unstable situation in the component market.
Source: VideoCardz
