Valve’s Proton gets a big upgrade, and it could improve PC gaming on Android

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Valve, maker of Steam, has released a new version of Proton, its compatibility layer for running Windows games on Android.
• Proton 11 beta brings performance improvements, better hardware support for already supported titles, and support for new titles.
• The update also adds a new profile for ARM hardware, suggesting a scope for better PC‑game emulation on Android devices.

Valve’s work on Proton and Android

Valve, the creator of Steam, has been instrumental in distributing PC games for more than two decades, especially to Windows users. More recently, the company has been expanding support to other platforms, including Linux, and has been working to ensure support for Arm‑based architecture (source). While this effort primarily benefits Valve’s own hardware—such as the Steam Deck (what is a Steam Deck?) and the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset (new Valve Steam hardware)—it also helps other platforms. Android, in particular, stands to gain from improved Windows gaming support.

The latest update to the Proton compatibility layer (version 11 beta) enables emulating Windows apps and games, including Steam, on Linux. Details of the release are available on the GitHub page.

According to XR industry analyst Brad Lynch on X, Proton 11 beta is based on the newest Wine release. Wine 11, launched last month, added support for NTSync, which reduces system overhead when running Windows games via a compatibility layer, resulting in smoother performance.

Supported titles in Proton 11 beta

• Universe Generator: The Golden Sword
• DCS World Steam Edition
• Resident Evil (1996)
• Resident Evil 2 (1998)
• Dino Crisis
• Dino Crisis 2
• From Dust
• Blaite
• Don’t Die Dateless, Dummy!
• METAL GEAR SURVIVE
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2
• Metal Fatigue
• SHOGUN: Total War
• Unknown Faces
• Gothic 1 Classic
• X‑Plane 12
• Breath of Fire IV
• Deadly Premonition

Some of these games were already playable through Proton’s experimental builds; the latest version adds support for the others.

Additional improvements

• Bug fixes: Valve released an extensive list of patches addressing numerous issues with previously supported titles.
• ARM64 profile: A new Proton 11 profile for ARM64 devices has been added, allowing games built for x86 hardware to be emulated on Arm‑based platforms. This includes Android phones, tablets, Android gaming handhelds (best Android gaming handhelds), and Arm‑based Windows PCs. (Announcement on X: )

Steam Linux ARM64 beta on Switch

Early reports indicate that the Proton update enables Steam to run on devices not officially supported, such as the Nintendo Switch (source).