What to know
- Valve introduced the Steam Machine Verified program to certify games for its upcoming Steam Machine hardware.
- The minimum performance requirement for the badge is 1080p resolution at 30 FPS.
- Games already marked Steam Deck Verified will automatically qualify.
- The requirement sets a baseline performance level rather than the device’s maximum capability.
Valve has shared new details about its upcoming Steam Machine Verified program, outlining the performance standards games must meet to receive the compatibility badge for the new hardware.
The company revealed the guidelines during a hardware presentation at GDC 2026, where it discussed the future of Steam hardware, including SteamOS devices and related certification programs. The key requirement for the Steam Machine Verified badge is that a game must run at a minimum of 1080p resolution and maintain at least 30 frames per second (FPS).
This benchmark establishes the baseline performance developers should target if they want their titles to carry the Verified label on the platform. It does not represent the maximum capability of the hardware. Instead, it ensures that players can expect stable performance and a playable experience when launching verified games.
Valve also confirmed that any game already carrying the Steam Deck Verified label will automatically qualify as Steam Machine Verified. That means titles optimized for the handheld device should work smoothly on the upcoming console-style system without additional testing.
However, games that are not supported on the Steam Deck due to performance limitations may still undergo separate testing for the Steam Machine. If they can meet the 1080p and 30 FPS threshold, they may still receive the certification despite not being compatible with the handheld system.
The company also indicated that the new Steam Machine is expected to deliver significantly higher performance compared to the Steam Deck—reportedly around six times more powerful. Because of this, the 1080p/30 FPS requirement should be achievable for a wide range of modern titles.
Valve has previously promoted the system as capable of 4K gaming at up to 60 FPS when using upscaling technologies such as AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution, suggesting that many games could run above the baseline certification requirements.
The Verified program follows the same philosophy as the Steam Deck compatibility system. By displaying a clear badge in the Steam storefront, Valve aims to help players quickly identify games that will run reliably on the device without extensive tweaking or troubleshooting.
Overall, the 1080p at 30 FPS requirement is meant to create a consistent minimum performance expectation for players, while still allowing developers to push higher resolutions or frame rates when the hardware and game design allow.
