ASUS explains why it is doubtless sticking to Home windows on upcoming ROG Ally handhelds

ASUS launched its reply to the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally, again in June 2023. One of many first stuff you’ll discover concerning the handheld is that it runs on Home windows 11 – not Valve’s purpose-built SteamOS based mostly on Linux. Simply over a yr later, ASUS then launched the ROG Ally X with some precious upgrades to RAM, ergonomics, and battery life. Nevertheless, it makes use of the very same working system.

Many individuals are taking a look at options to Home windows, probably the most notable being Bazzite and SteamFork. The latter particularly has been marketed as a terrific addition to the ROG Ally. Nevertheless, regardless of the push for Linux handheld gaming, ASUS appears snug sticking to Home windows based mostly on a current Q&A we held with its ROG division.

ASUS says Home windows gives the “most selection for players”

We’ve lately been in contact with ASUS ROG to assemble its ideas on the hand held panorama and achieve higher perception into its subsequent Ally handheld. To date, we all know that the group has no less than thought of creating an ROG Ally OLED mannequin, however let’s transfer on to the difficulty of the working system. SteamOS is slowly changing into accessible on extra gadgets with Lenovo set to launch the primary third-party SteamOS handheld in Might this yr with a variant of its new Legion Go S.

When questioned on whether or not we’ll be getting a SteamOS model of the ROG Ally sooner or later, right here’s what ASUS needed to say:

“We’re dedicated to retaining our gaming platforms open and conscious of the wants of all players. We’ve got been intently following the ROG Ally neighborhood’s expertise with totally different working programs. The ROG Ally lineup is paired with Home windows, the worldwide normal for gaming, providing probably the most complete library of video games.

This intensive library has been constructed over many years of improvement and backward compatibility. We want to present as many decisions as doable to players with regards to the kinds of PC video games they’ll play on the ROG Ally, and Home windows is the OS that enables probably the most selection for players.

With that mentioned, as a result of it’s Home windows OS customers will not be restricted to putting in different OS onto the gadget. We’re conscious that ROG Ally X customers have commented concerning the interface on the hand held, however we imagine that the compromise to purchase and run video games from an enormous number of markets, that they already personal may be put in straight onto the gadget along with communication platforms like Discord. The system additionally permits for sport modding and naturally the Xbox Video games Go provide with buy.”

ASUS ROG

As per the response above, ASUS believes that “Home windows is the OS that enables probably the most selection for players” and this is without doubt one of the largest explanation why it hasn’t opted for SteamOS proper now. We already know the Linux-based working system doesn’t play too properly with some anti-cheat options. Final yr we noticed GTA On-line minimize help for Steam Deck, and a current statistic from Apex Legends builders, Respawn Leisure, reveals that blocking Linux customers led to a “significant discount” in cheaters.

Nevertheless, this doesn’t imply you gained’t be capable of get SteamOS in your ROG Ally sooner or later sooner or later. Valve has already revealed that it is going to be “transport a beta of SteamOS which ought to enhance the expertise on different handhelds” because it opens up help exterior the Steam Deck. As ASUS factors out, “customers will not be restricted to putting in different OS onto the gadget”. So, whereas ASUS ROG doubtless gained’t be transport its new handhelds with SteamOS pre-installed, you’ll in all probability be capable of do it your self with out a lot effort.