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Google Announces End of Steam Beta for Chromebooks
Google has officially revealed that the Steam Beta program for Chromebooks, which first launched in 2022, will conclude on January 1, 2026. After this date, users will no longer be able to access or play Steam games installed through the Beta on their ChromeOS devices. This marks a significant shift for ChromeOS, as Steam formed a core component of Google’s push to position Chromebooks as legitimate gaming devices.
A Brief History of Steam on Chromebooks
The integration of Steam with ChromeOS began as an ambitious experiment. Steam arrived alongside Android apps and cloud gaming as a third major avenue for gaming on Chromebooks. The Steam Beta followed a brief Alpha phase, launching with relatively modest hardware requirements—supporting Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 processors with at least 8GB RAM. However, for optimal gameplay, Google recommended higher specs, such as an Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 with 16GB RAM. All games had to be Linux-compatible, and Google maintained a curated list of supported titles, which now totals 99 games.
Product Features & Use Cases
Steam for Chromebooks allowed users to play a selection of PC games natively on ChromeOS using the Linux app environment. This expanded the gaming capabilities of Chromebooks beyond Android and cloud-based titles, offering users more gaming flexibility, especially on higher-end models.
Comparisons and Market Relevance
Compared to dedicated gaming laptops running Windows, Chromebooks with Steam still faced limitations in performance and game library size. However, the Beta gave users a taste of PC gaming on their ChromeOS devices, particularly as Google simultaneously launched its first wave of "Gaming Chromebooks" in late 2022.
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Why Is Steam Support Ending?
The planned discontinuation seems linked to the fact that the program never progressed beyond Beta and received few updates since late 2022. Google is now hinting at a new direction for Chromebook gaming, possibly leveraging the technical convergence of ChromeOS and Android. The continued availability of Android games via Google Play Store and various cloud gaming services will ensure that Chromebooks remain gaming-ready, even without native Steam support.
Looking Ahead for Chromebook Gamers
While Steam for Chromebook Beta is ending, Google emphasizes its commitment to fostering new gaming experiences on ChromeOS, potentially through deeper integration with Android’s ecosystem of apps and cloud solutions. Users can expect continued support for Android games and streaming platforms, keeping Chromebooks relevant for gaming enthusiasts.
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