Valve Says Steam Deck Verified Titles Get Steam Machine Verified

Valve says developers targeting its upcoming Steam Machine will face fewer verification requirements than those targeting the Steam Deck, confirming that any game already Steam Deck Verified will also be verified for Steam Machine. Pricing details remain unannounced.

In an interview with Game Developer, Valve designer Lawrence Yang said developers can expect “fewer constraints” than Steam Deck verification. 

“One easy rule of thumb is that if your title is Verified on Steam Deck, it will be Verified on Steam Machine,” Yang said. He added that VR titles seeking Steam Frame verification will follow a different process, though Valve will apply the same testing approach and developer feedback used across its other verification programs.

Steam Machine Verified and Valve’s Broader SteamOS Strategy

Valve emphasized that verification has become more than a technical standard. 

The Steam Deck Verified badge plays a key role in discoverability, including eligibility for the “Great on Deck” section, which serves as the default Steam Store view on the handheld. As a result, verification has emerged as a meaningful marketing signal for developers and publishers.

Valve did not disclose additional technical requirements for Steam Machine verification, but it elaborated on the Steam Controller Puck revealed during the hardware announcement. 

Valve engineer Steve Cardinali said Bluetooth performance can vary across home environments due to factors such as network congestion, wireless interference, and latency. He said the puck is designed to mitigate those issues by enabling placement away from USB congestion, helping reduce interference and simplify charging.

The expanding impact of verification is already visible, with Bethesda confirming in January 2026 that Quake, developed by id Software, is now Steam Deck Verified and optimized for Xbox ROG Ally handhelds.

With thousands of verified games and SteamOS expanding to more devices, Valve is broadening the reach of its platform beyond traditional PCs. The lighter Steam Machine requirements support a more accessible, console-like PC gaming experience ahead of a broader rollout planned for 2026.