Playtron is SteamOS-like Linux launcher that supports Steam, Windows, and Epic Games

Source: Playtron/TheVerge

Steam Deck’s biggest advantage is the streamlined and lightweight operating system. This effort would not be possible without Valve’s tremendous work with the Proton DirectX translation layer, which enables modern Windows games to be played on Linux. However, its limitation to Steam’s library has been a drawback. Enter Playtron, a startup aiming to revolutionize this space.

Playtron is a cross-vendor operating system based on Linux, which would support both Steam and Epic Games Launcher easily, with other launchers seemingly also available. If there’s something the gaming handheld market was lacking, it was a simple cross-vendor and cross-platform launcher that supports more than one game library, and Playtron is trying to achieve that.

Source: Playtron/TheVerge

The company that is working on this project is a startup with $10M in funding. Currently, it only has 18 employees, but they have already made an alpha software which was tested by the Verge. The demo can be seen below:

A Linux-Based operating system which is easy to use and does not have all the unnecessary software that games will never use. Windows is such a system that is hardly a good experience on smaller screens. This often forces gamers to install overlays like PlayNite .

At present, Playtron’s feature set may not be particularly impressive. The system lacks the ability to update or install games, which requires collaboration with Valve and Epic Games. Nevertheless, Playtron serves as a functional launcher. According to The Verge, it effectively supports titles such as Death Stranding, Dave the Diver, and Baltaro, performing comparably to the native Steam Deck during testing.

Source: Playtron/TheVerge

Playtron is actively seeking partnerships with OEMs and mobile operators interested in integrating its operating system into handheld devices. Should these efforts falter, there are plans to introduce a native Playtron handheld by year’s end.

In the meantime, the first public alpha of Playtron is slated for release within the next two months. This release will enable gamers to offer feedback, potentially expediting the development of this new operating system. Notably, Playtron’s versatility extends beyond handhelds to encompass other devices like laptops and tablets.

Source: The Verge