Steam Deck and Steam Machine Verified ratings explained

Scope

Valve publishes compatibility results for Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and other compatible SteamOS devices. Read the device-specific result and its details; do not transfer one badge to unrelated hardware.

Compatibility ratings can change after a game or platform update. Record the game build, displayed rating, recommended runtime, device, and check date.

The four ratings

RatingValve meaningUser workWhat it does not prove
Verified
Passes all compatibility checks
None required to access functionality
Fixed FPS, battery life, or perfect frame pacing
Playable
Functions, with manual interaction possible
Read the detail reasons
That every workaround is harmless
Unsupported
Reviewed build hits a blocking incompatibility
Recheck only after a relevant change
That launch is physically impossible forever
Unknown
Review has not completed
Treat outcome as unverified
Positive or negative compatibility

Review boundaries

Valve evaluates input, glyphs, text entry, display requirements, default performance, seamless behavior, and system support. For Steam Deck, the documented default-performance floor is a playable 30 FPS at 800p; that floor is not a benchmark recommendation for every game.

Runtime selection

When a native Linux build exists, Valve may test it first and then use the Windows build under Proton if that produces a better result. Read the recommended runtime instead of assuming native Linux or Proton is always preferable.

Evidence workflow

  1. Open the Steam compatibility details for the exact device.
  2. Save the rating, reason list, recommended runtime, game build, and date.
  3. Check recent release notes for game, Proton, SteamOS, and anti-cheat changes.
  4. Run a clean default before applying community launch options.
  5. Measure performance separately with a repeatable scene and settings record.

Common misreadings

  • Playable is not “almost Verified”; its manual steps may matter to accessibility or controller-only use.
  • Unsupported is not a ProtonDB rating and cannot be overwritten by one community report.
  • Verified does not validate mods, third-party launchers, external displays, or non-Deck handheld controls.
  • A badge reflects the reviewed state, not an eternal promise for future builds.

Frequently asked questions

Does Verified guarantee 60 FPS or a fixed battery duration?
Does Verified guarantee 60 FPS or a fixed battery duration?
No. Valve reviews compatibility criteria and a playable default, not one universal frame-rate, frame-time, graphics-quality, or battery guarantee for every scene and update.
Does Unsupported mean the game can never launch?
Does Unsupported mean the game can never launch?
No. It records a blocking incompatibility in the reviewed build and runtime. A later game, middleware, Proton, or driver update may trigger re-review, but community launch reports do not change Valve's badge.

Sources

Version history

  • 2026-07-15: Phase 5 publication aligned to Valve's current multi-device compatibility review.