Valve’s verification system for Steam Deck makes it easy to determine whether a game is compatible on the handheld device, and generally how well it runs. Set to arrive in early 2026, the upcoming Steam Machine will have a similar system. We still don’t know exactly when it will be available for purchase, nor how much it will cost, but it has been clear to see that the Steam Machine is the most popular of the three hardware announcements Valve made late last year.

Both systems run on SteamOS (Valve’s custom Linux-based operating system), so it is easy to assume games that run nicely on the Steam Deck will do so on the Steam Machine, especially given the fact it’s more powerful. Valve has now confirmed that Steam Deck Verified games will also be Steam Machine Verified as an “easy rule of thumb”.

Valve designer explains Steam Machine verification

In a recent interview with Game Developer, a designer at Valve, Lawrence Yang, says earning a coveted “Steam Machine Verified” badge will be easier for developers thanks to “fewer constraints” than the Steam Deck. This only makes sense given Valve’s claims that the Steam Machine has “over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck,” so games struggling to run on the handheld will have a much easier time with the cubed SteamOS mini PC.

“One easy rule of thumb is that if your title is Verified on Steam Deck, it will be Verified on Steam Machine,” says Yang. VR developers may also be able to get their games verified on the Steam Machine – something seldom possible with the Steam Deck, given its hardware. However, Yang notes these devs will “be going through the same rounds of testing” as usual, so it’s not exactly a freebie.

You may think of the Steam Deck Verified badge as a simple certificate to help out consumers. The fact is, it’s also a boon for game developers, as verified games are easier to find for Deck owners, particularly if they appear in the ‘Great for Deck’ section of the Steam store, which is prominent on the handheld device. Simply put, it means more eyes on your game. Furthermore, Witchfire developer Adrian Chmielarz recently argued that supporting the Steam Deck “actually makes your game better”.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.